Tim English Returns as Bulldogs Make Six Footy Changes
The Western Bulldogs made six footy changes for Friday night’s round eight match against Fremantle, and Tim English is back after a month out. Luke Beveridge also rested Adam Treloar and omitted five players as the Bulldogs reshaped their side for the meeting at Optus Stadium.
English returns for the Bulldogs
English’s return is the biggest individual move in the Bulldogs’ team sheet. He comes back for his first game in a month, giving Beveridge a senior ruck option again after a spell on the sidelines.
The Bulldogs did not stop there. Beveridge changed half the side in one selection call, a sign of how aggressively the club has moved to adjust its round eight lineup against Fremantle.
Fremantle and the round eight shuffle
Fremantle made one change of its own, with Patrick Voss returning after illness. That kept the focus on a round eight team sheet that shifted at both ends of the fixture, not just in the Bulldogs’ camp.
The broader round eight picture was just as busy. The Adelaide Crows made four changes for their Friday Showdown against Port Adelaide, with Dan Curtin named for his first game of 2026 after one SANFL game following a knee injury, while Alex Neal-Bullen and Jake Soligo were both back and Darcy Fogarty missed a fifth match with a back problem.
Round eight team news
Other clubs also made significant selection calls. Richmond’s Sam Lalor was unable to face West Coast because of an Achilles injury, and Tim Taranto was out at least another week with concussion. Nik Cox was set for his first senior game in 630 days for Essendon against Brisbane, while the Brisbane Lions named debutant Cody Curtin to replace injured Oscar Allen and brought Dayne Zorko back from a calf injury.
Carlton recalled Harry McKay and Ollie Hollands for St Kilda, St Kilda named Liam Henry for the first time this year, Geelong brought back Sam De Koning and Jake Kolodjashnij, and North Melbourne welcomed Charlie Comben. Gold Coast also managed Jarrod Witts and Zeke Uwland for Sunday night’s Expansion Cup against Greater Western Sydney.
For the Bulldogs, the immediate takeaway is simple: English is back, Treloar has been managed, and six changes have reset the side before a Friday night test against Fremantle.
