Tough-as-nails midfielder Matthew Boyd has been named as an emergency with the team list revealing only one change from the side that thrashed the Adelaide Crows last Friday night.

Mid-sized defender Ryan Hargrave returns at the expense of midfielder Brodie Moles.

It means ruckman Will Minson will spend another week in the Victorian Football League with Williamstown with young tall Jordan Roughead backing up for his second senior AFL game.

Boyd, who suffered a broken hand in the round four clash with the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba, will have to wait another week to be seen in the red, white and blue as coach Rodney Eade takes a cautious approach with one of his most prized assets.

The Bulldogs will be eager to topple the Nick Riewoldt-less Saints as small payback for their seven-point preliminary final loss last season.