Josh Chatfield will captain Footscray VFL in 2024.

Chatfield has played 30 games in the red, white and blue since arriving at the Kennel in 2022 from North Ballarat.

A proud Gunditjmara man, Chatfield said he couldn’t be more thrilled to be given captaincy honours.

“It’s very humbling to be recognised by my teammates and coaches as someone who can lead this great group of blokes,” he said.

“It obviously means a lot to me, but more importantly it means a lot to my friends and family too. It’s a credit to them for the support and love they have given to help me get to this point.”

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It marks a changing of the guards for the ‘Scray, with a new-look leadership group formed to support the first-year skipper.

Dan Orgill has been elevated to vice-captain, with Cooper Craig-Peters, Jarrod Gilbee and Trent Bianco to make-up the five-player leadership group.

“Having some new blokes in the team this year creates a massive opportunity to build new relationships and get to know a diverse range of people’s journeys,” Chatfield said.

“I’m very happy with the leadership group – they’ve all been recognised as leaders for a reason.

“I’m looking forward to working with them to find ways we can improve the team and have a successful year.”

Orgill enters his fifth season as a Bulldog in 2024, having played 17 games last year including the semi-final.  

Craig-Peters added 15 matches to his VFL tally last year, enjoying a run of form in the back-half of the year to average 13 disposals and four marks from seven games.  

Gilbee made an impact in his four games, averaging 19 touches and eight marks.

Bianco, formerly on Collingwood’s AFL list, only crossed to the Kennel this pre-season, but has already impressed his new teammates and coaches to be included in the leadership group.

Footscray will kick off its 2024 campaign against GWS this Sunday afternoon at Mission Whitten Oval from 12.05pm.

The team will be announced at 5pm on Friday night.