Footscray will field five debutants in its season opener against GWS on Sunday afternoon at Mission Whitten Oval.
Trent Bianco, Phoenix Spicer and Rhett Montgomerie will all line up for their first Bulldogs’ outings, while AFL draftees Joel Freijah and Lachie Smith will also make their debut red, white and blue appearances.
The side could feature up to 14 senior-listed players, with Alex Keath, Dom Bedendo, Jack Macrae and Riley Garcia among the AFL talent listed.
Newly-named captain Josh Chatfield will start in the back pocket, with vice-captain Dan Orgill set to start in the centre.
Fellow leaders Jarrod Gilbee (half-back), Cooper Craig-Peters (interchange) and Bianco (centre) will also feature.
The first bounce will be at 12.05pm AEDT on Sunday 24 March.
For smoother access on game-day, we recommend pre-purchasing tickets by clicking HERE. Tickets will also be available for purchase on game day at Mission Whitten Oval.
The match will be live-streamed via afl.com.au/vfl/ for those who can’t make it, with game-day updates also available via @FootscrayVFL on X (Twitter).
Please note: entry to Mission Whitten Oval will be via Gate 1 (Cross St) only. Dogs are not allowed into the venue on match-days.
VFL Team | Round 1
Footscray Bulldogs v GWS Giants
Sunday 24 March, 12.05pm AEDT
Mission Whitten Oval (Wurundjeri/Boon Wurrung)
B: J Busslinger (5), A Keath (42), J Chatfield (52)
HB: T Duryea (15), L Cleary (36), J Gilbee (69)
C: T Bianco (58), D Orgill (50), A Scott (28)
HF: C Clarke (8), D Bedendo (26), J Freijah (27)
F: L McNeil (30), R Lobb (7), A Jones (32)
R: L Smith (40), J Macrae (11), R Garcia (38)
INT: E Hunt (56), C Craig-Peters (61), C Smith (55), P Spicer (63), R Montgomerie (51)
EMG: J Kellett (57), T Maple (65), K Stretton (66), A Bade (68), S Willoughby (53)
