THE WESTERN Bulldogs will be without gun defender Bailey Dale for Saturday’s match simulation against Essendon, while the Bombers are missing several of their best players.
While Dale will sit out the clash at the Mission Whitten Oval, Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli and fellow midfielder Tom Liberatore have been named in the squad.
The Bulldogs are also without Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (personal reasons), Liam Jones (hamstring) and Jason Johannisen (hamstring).
Recruit Matt Kennedy has been named in the squad after joining from Carlton.
Ruck Brayden Crossley and midfielder Dom Brew will feature as they look to claim a spot on the Bulldogs’ list via the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP).
Gun midfielder Darcy Parish and defenders Ben McKay and Jordan Ridley are among the absentees for the Bombers.
Parish is in doubt for the start of Essendon’s season due to a back injury, while Ridley (hamstring) and McKay (ankle) could take on Geelong in the AAMI Community Series.
Sam Durham (soreness) and Matt Guelfi (hamstring) will also miss the meeting with the Bulldogs.
Kaine Baldwin and Tom Edwards are fighting for a spot on the Bombers’ list via the SSP and have been named, while Will Hoare, an Essendon VFL player who has also been competing for a place, will miss.
