Dogs unlikely to tag in-form Nat Fyfe

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is set to again shun the tag, backing his on-ballers to hurt Fremantle's star-studded midfield.

Fremantle's prime movers in the middle Nat Fyfe and David Mundy are set to be given free rein in Sunday's AFL clash with Western Bulldogs.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has opted against using hard tags this season, backing his on-ballers to hurt the opposition by gathering the Sherrin themselves.

Brownlow medal favourite Fyfe and Mundy represent two of the league's most in-form midfielders, but Beveridge won't change tack against the dominant Dockers.

"Most games we've taken opposition midfields head on and that probably won't change," he said on Saturday.

"Throughout the course of the game, if either of those guys are having a significant influence we'll look at it.

"It's going to have a really big influence on proceedings and the outcome of the game.

"Getting Jongy (Lin Jong) and Mitch Wallis back, the bigger bodies and the extra grunt is really important for us ... we'll be able to have more of a presence in there."

The Bulldogs are coming off a seven-point loss to St Kilda, but the week prior pulled off the upset of the season by stunning Sydney at the SCG.

Beveridge felt his charges still believed they were capable of challenging top sides.

"I do. We'll find out tomorrow," he said.

"We went in with a great attitude against the Hawks and things didn't go our way.

"We went in with exactly the same attitude against Sydney and obviously that was a very good performance.

"We've been playing some really encouraging football throughout most games."

Jack Macrae was dropped for the Etihad Stadium clash, with Beveridge noting the highly-rated youngster was understanding about his omission.

"Jacko's just got a couple of things in his game he needs to work on," Beveridge explained.

It will be a baptism of fire for 18-year-old Bailey Dale, who will debut against the undefeated Dockers.

"He's got a lot of courage and is highly skilled ... it just shows we've got faith in these kids," Beveridge said.

Meanwhile, Beveridge revealed he spoke to the club's leaders regarding the decision to allow Clay Smith to continue playing last Saturday after a serious knee injury.

"Nothing changes in regard to their faith in what we do here," he said.

"You live and learn.

"We're all moving on, but the most important thing is we support Clay.

"If anyone's got a chance to have a career beyond three knee reconstructions, it's Clay because of his determination."


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