The Western Bulldogs have also made a tweak to their big-man department ahead of Thursday night's clash at the SCG, with Travis Cloke replacing Tom Boyd in the selected side.

As the Sydney Swans exchanges ruckman Sam Naismith for Kurt Tippett (omitted), the like-for-like swap makes up four changes for the visitors with Mathew Boyd, Fletcher Roberts and Toby McLean coming in for Robert Murphy (hamstring), Dale Morris (ankle) and Bailey Williams (omitted).

Cloke will resume his place at centre half-forward in the seniors after kicking three goals and taking 10 marks for Footscray in the VFL prior to the Doggies' Club-wide bye.

He may pinch-hit in the ruck as well, but with specialist ruckmen Jordan Roughead and second-gamer Tim English also named in the side, he'll likely stay closer to goal in an effort to stretch the Sydney Swans' defence.

The former Magpie has kicked six goals from his five appearances for his new club and averages 13 disposals, six marks and more than two goals per game in his 19 matches against Sydney. He's played at the SCG twice for a return of the solitary goal.

He kicked three goals in the clubs' last encounter, in Round 2 at Docklands, the Dogs' fourth consecutive win against the Sydney Swans, a run which began at the SCG back in 2015.

Ranked first in the competition for tackles, the Dogs will be out to hit the contest hard early in particular Marcus Bontempelli, Luke Dalhaus and Jack Macrae who are all in the Club's top five for contested possessions and tackles.

Sydney has no choice but to come out with all guns blazing in the hope of turning its season around and improving on their overall 76-81 win-loss record against the Western Bulldogs.