Jedd Busslinger is a surprise call-up for a Western Bulldogs defence that is looking to shut down GWS stars Jesse Hogan and Toby Greene in Canberra Jedd Busslinger in action during the VFL R3 match between Footscray and Werribee at Avalon Airport Oval on April 5, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge isn't sure if his replacement for Liam Jones is ready to step up to AFL level but is eager to find out when Jedd Busslinger debuts against Greater Western Sydney. As he shuffles his key posts in the absence of injured spearhead Sam Darcy, Beveridge dropped experienced defender Jones in favour of long-term project Busslinger. The surprise call came with the Giants' attack bolstered by the return of Coleman Medal winner Jesse Hogan for the round seven encounter in Canberra on Saturday. "We just haven't seen his real strengths shine through in recent times," Beveridge said of Jones on Friday. "He had a fair lay-off with his hamstring (injury) and he came back in and was reasonably solid in his first game back. "But I spent half an hour with him yesterday and we discussed all of those things. Learn More 22:17 "The fundamentals of his game and the essentials that he brings forth that fuel a presence, and even his key-back intercept game, just haven't quite been there for us at the start of this year. "Hopefully he can find those reasonably quickly." Liam Jones and Cooper Sharman compete for the ball during the R6 match between Western Bulldogs and St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on April 20, 2025. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos Busslinger was the Bulldogs' first pick in the 2022 draft - No.13 overall - but the 198cm defender has been made to wait for his senior call-up after 41 VFL games. "He likes to get the footy, he accumulates a lot of ball, but we've seen his defensive play start to shine at the start of this year and the back of last year," Beveridge said. "Is he totally ready, still as a young key back? It remains to be seen. "It's going to be a challenge and we've just asked him to play to his strengths. "He'll need the front 12 to put a lot of pressure on, as the rest of our backs will." Key forward Aaron Naughton will be a central figure at the other end for the Bulldogs in his 150th game, with Darcy ruled out for months with a knee injury. Versatile talls Buku Khamis, James O'Donnell and Rory Lobb are other options for Beveridge in attack. But forecast rain in Canberra means he will likely opt for a smaller forward-line in Darcy's absence as they attempt to expose the Giants' talls at ground level. "As long as we can bring the ball to ground and diffuse their intercept game, that's going to give us a chance," Beveridge said. "Their talls are all pretty adept and worthy at ground level, so it's not like it's a weakness of theirs. "But can we get an advantage? Maybe." Lachie McNeill (hamstring) is also out injured for the Bulldogs, with Laitham Vandermeer and James Harmes recalled. Hogan returns in place of Callum Brown to bolster a Giants attack that managed just four goals in last week's loss to Adelaide, after Adam Kingsley's men won four of their opening five games. The Bulldogs have won seven of their last eight meetings with GWS since being thrashed in their 2019 elimination final encounter.