1. Nine Home Games
The return of top level VFL football to our spiritual home in Footscray has been special for both players and fans, and like last year, the Bulldogs have been scheduled to play nine times at Victoria University Whitten Oval. Footscray will both open and close the season on their home deck; and there won’t be a spare seat in the EJ Whitten Stand when the Magpies come to town for the final game of the home and away season.
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2. VFL/AFL Doubleheaders
Is there a better way to spend the weekend than the VFL/AFL double? There are six occasions in 2016 where you can wear the red, white and blue all day long. Footscray will open the season at 11:00am on Sunday, April 10 at VU Whitten Oval against the Northern Blues, and the early start will provide ample time for fans to make it into Etihad Stadium to see the AFL boys take on Hawthorn at 3:20pm. However, the highlight of the 2016 doubleheaders might be on Saturday, July 9 where the Bulldogs play Richmond at VU Whitten Oval at 2:00pm in VFL action, before facing the Tigers under lights at Etihad Stadium in a feature AFL clash.
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3. The Double Ups
Footscray will play four teams twice in season 2016, the most notable being reigning premiers Williamstown at VU Whitten Oval in round 8, and then again at Burbank Oval in round 18. The ’Scray split their games with the Seagulls in 2015, including a late season away win over the then ladder leaders that put the Dogs back into the top 4. The Bulldogs also face the Northern Blues, Richmond and Werribee, twice, all of whom Footscray accounted for last season.
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4. Out of the Gates
The Dogs won four of their first six games in 2015, a start that went a long way to earning the double chance at the end of the home and away season. Footscray will have to do their best work away from home in 2016 if they’re to repeat that performance, with just three of the ’Scray's first seven games to be played at VU Whitten Oval. If they can emerge from that period with a record similar to what was produced in 2015, they'll be well on their way to a third straight top 4 finish.
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5.The Run Home
With most sides jockeying for ladder position in the run up to the finals, how often sides are drawn to play at home can be crucial. Footscray stormed home last season, winning four of their last five games, despite playing only two of those at home. Who knows what they can do in 2016 – the boys will play four of their final seven games at home in Footscray.
