Bulldogs star Jason Johannisen dropped for Round 1 against Collingwood

Western Bulldogs star Jason Johannisen has completely fallen off the club’s radar in a surprise team selection announced Friday.

Bulldogs star Jason Johannisen has been dumped by the Bulldogs in a surprise team announcement ahead of their season-opener against Collingwood.

The Dogs announced their team on Thursday night, showing Johannisen listed as the team’s fourth emergency after losing his spot on the halfback line to Taylor Duryea, who had a limited pre-season.

Duryea missed the club’s only official pre-season game and only played in one scratch match before Round 1.

“A sign as to how out of favour Jason Johannisen is at the Dogs — Taylor Duryea picked ahead of him despite not playing either pre-season match,” afl.com.au reporter Mitch Cleary posted on Twitter.

Watch the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Every match of every round Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Johannisen played 17 games for the Dogs in 2021 but has fallen out of favour this pre-season.

When told of the Dogs’ move, AFL great David King told SEN “wow”.

Bulldogs mature-aged recruit Anthony Scott will also make his AFL debut in the Friday night blockbuster.

Collingwood, meanwhile, has selected top draft pick Ollie Henry to make his AFL debut in the opening round of the season.

The Magpies announced on Tuesday afternoon Henry, the brother of Geelong’s Jack, was to be selected to face the Western Bulldogs on Friday night.

The Pies are also celebrating the return of Jeremy Howe for the first time since Round 4, 2020.

AFL Round 8. Gold Coast Suns vs Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast . 23/07/2020. Jason Johannisen of the Bulldogs kicks at goal . Pic: Michael Klein

Earlier on Friday it was confirmed Tigers captain Trent Cotchin has been withdrawn from Thursday evening’s season opener after being struck down by a bout of gastro.

The 30-year-old reportedly did not train with teammates during a light session on Wednesday, and his situation worsened on Thursday.

He was officially replaced in the starting team by Marlion Pickett, it was confirmed one hour before the start of the game with Jack Ross lining up as the No. 23 injury substitution.

The Blues have selected Oscar McDonald as the injury sub.

In other team selection news, Essendon announced Friday the team will field five debutants in their Saturday night showdown with Hawthorn.

Coach Ben Rutten has made a bold statement for his first team, picking five new players as the Bombers look to turn around a turbulent 2020 season.

Former Gold Coast big man Peter Wright will join Jye Caldwell, Nick Hind, Nik Cox and Harrison Jones in the red and black for the first time.

RICHMOND v CARLTON

Thursday March 18, 7.25pm at the MCG

Tigers:

B: D.Astbury, D.Grimes, N.Balta

HB: L.Baker, N.Vlastuin, J.Short

C: D.Prestia, T.Cotchin, K.Lambert

HF: J.Aarts, S.Bolton, J.Castagna

F: T.Lynch, D.Martin, J.Riewoldt

FOLL: T.Nankervis, K.McIntosh, J.Caddy

I/C: D.Rioli, N.Broad, J.Graham, S.Edwards

EMG: M.Pickett, W.Martyn, J.Ross, M.Chol

Blues:

B: L.Plowman, L.Jones, T.Williamson

HB: S.Docherty, J.Weitering, A.Saad

C: W.Setterfield, P.Cripps, M.Murphy

HF: L.Fogarty, H.McKay, J.Newnes

F: Z.Fisher, J.Silvagni, M.Gibbons

FOLL: M.Pittonet, P.Dow, S.Walsh

I/C: S.Petrevski-Seton, L.O’Brien, L.Casboult, E.Curnow

EMG: M.Cottrell, O.McDonald, L.Stocker, M.Kennedy

COLLINGWOOD v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Friday March 19, 7.50pm at MCG

Magpies

B: B.Maynard, J.Roughead, J.Madgen

HB: J.Crisp, D.Moore, J.Howe

C: J.Noble, S.Pendlebury, T.Brown

HF: J.Elliott, B.Mihocek, W.Hoskin-Elliott

F: J.Daicos, M.Cox, J.Thomas

FOLL: B.Grundy, T.Adams, J.De Goey

I/C: O. Henry, I.Quaynor, T.Ruscoe, B.Sier

EMG: C.Brown, D.Cameron, L.Greenwood, N.Murphy

Bulldogs

B: B.Williams, R.Gardner, C.Daniel

HB: T.Duryea, A.Keath, A.Scott

C: P.Lipinski, A.Treloar, L.Hunter

HF: B.Smith, A.Naughton, J.Dunkley

F: T.English, J.Bruce, M.Bontempelli

FOLL: S.Martin, J.Macrae, T.Liberatore

I/C: B.Dale, L.McNeil, M.Wallis, L.Vandermeer

EMG: J.Schache, Z.Cordy, R.West, J.Johannisen