Footscray has submitted its round three team to face Essendon VFL on Friday afternoon.
Captain Josh Chatfield (knee) and AFL draftee Lachie Smith (knee) will both miss through injury, while James O’Donnell has been elevated to the senior side.
Connor Smith has also made way, with Tristan Maple (23rd player) joining trio Caleb Daniel, Ryan Gardner and Caleb Poulter in the line-up.
Daniel has also been named an emergency for the AFL clash, as have Rory Lobb and Riley Garcia.
The match is also set to mark coach Stewart Edge’s 50th at the helm.
The first bounce will be 4.05pm at Marvel Stadium, acting as a curtain-raiser at Marvel Stadium to the later AFL match from 7.40pm.
Please note: fans looking to attend the VFL must hold a valid ticket to the AFL game.
Gate 5 will be open from 3.45pm to access.
Limited areas of level one will be open for the VFL game, with patrons to move to either their reserved seats or the general admission area at the conclusion of the match.
The match will also 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).
VFL Team | Round 3
Footscray Bulldogs v Essendon
Friday, 12 April, 4:05pm AEST
Marvel Stadium, Docklands • Wurundjeri
B: Keath, Busslinger, Cleary
HB: Poulter, Daniel, Gardner
C: A. Jones, Bianco, Harmes
HF: Scott, McNeil, Freijah
F: Croft, Bedendo, Clarke
R: R Lobb, Garcia, Orgill
IC: Hunt, Willoughby, Craig-Peters, Spicer, Maple
EMG: Montgomerie, Gilbee, Stretton, Kellett
In: Daniel, Gardner, Poulter, Maple
Out: Chatfield (knee), L. Smith (knee), O’Donnell (AFL), C. Smith
