Matthew Boyd and Liam Picken will not play in the Western Bulldogs' crucial clash with West Coast on Sunday, which coach Luke Beveridge expects will be like a final.
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But rookie Roarke Smith, a long-haired defender recruited from the Calder Cannons, will make his AFL debut in the game that will help shape the top four.
Beveridge said Boyd and Picken were likely to miss just one game each – Boyd with general soreness and Picken with back pain after being kneed in the third quarter against Melbourne at the weekend.
"As we have all year, we've been able to find a way to cover some experience going out of the side and we should be OK," Beveridge said.
Smith was an athletic player who had been performing well at VFL level, Beveridge said, admitting it would be a "baptism of fire" for the 18-year-old.
Beveridge joked the club had asked skateboarding legend Tony Hawk to present Smith with his jumper, because the youngster was a keen skater.
"He's a great kid and we're sure he'll do well."
Beveridge said the game would be an occasion, with a strong turn-out expected from fans.
With the Eagles fighting to keep their second place on the ladder and the Bulldogs keen to remain in the top-four, he said in some ways it would be similar to a finals match.
