Heeney out for Swans, Bulldogs make call on Bontempelli

The Swans will play two debutants - Billy Cootee and Will Edwards - and have recalled veteran Dane Rampe following a rest.

The Bulldogs have named captain Marcus Bontempelli despite being bothered by knee soreness.

The 10-year anniversary of the Western Bulldogs' drought-breaking 2016 flag is cause for reflection for a club that has endured plenty of dark times in between successes.

But coach Luke Beveridge sees no point comparing his current Bulldogs outfit to celebrated teams of the past, with the experienced coach dealing with more pressing matters amid an injury crisis that threatens to derail his side's premiership bid. 

"When you create a memory like that for your supporter base and for each other, you've got to celebrate it when the time comes," Beveridge said this week.

"That's the thing about the game; it's togetherness and the relationships that underpin the best performances.

"That's what happened during that period of time."

The heroes of 2016 will come together for a premiership reunion when the Bulldogs host Sydney at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.

Only two of those players remain active with the Dogs, with Tom Liberatore sidelined under concussion protocols.

Liberatore and Bontempelli were part of a team that famously rose from seventh and won four cut-throat finals - a feat not achieved before or since - to snare their club's second AFL/VFL premiership.

"It was a special group, a special team, that played for each other and played on the edge - no quarter given," Beveridge said.

"They inspired all of us and it's just a great memory and it's important for our people to celebrate that - definitely the players that played in it.

"And I imagine that as time goes on they'll probably celebrate it a bit harder if they're not playing."

But that's where Beveridge draws a line, with no tales of 2016 to be used as inspiration in his preparation for another battle with Sydney.

Liam Picken, Easton Wood, Shane Biggs and co can recount their stories in another forum.

"That was then, this is now. I don't believe in trying to measure up to a team historically," Beveridge said.

"I've never done it ... it's always looking internally and trying to authenticate what you're doing together."

Sydney (5-1) sit on top of the ladder, while the undermanned Bulldogs (4-2) are on a two-match losing skid and were "flattened" last week by the loss of Sam Darcy to a season-ending knee injury.

"We've had time, we've spun out of that, and by the time we get to the game we'll be ready to play," Beveridge said.

"Sydney have been impressive, so it's going to be no less a task than what we've been facing.

"It won't be any concerns around the valour that the players need to present to play against the Swans."