The Footscray Bulldogs have announced their leadership team for 2015, with a four-man group to lead the reigning VFL premiers.

Former AFL players Jordan Russell and Mark Austin will be co-captains, while Brent Prismall and Michael Fogarty will share the vice-captain role.

All four were members of Footscray’s 2014 VFL Grand Final winning side.

Coach Ashley Hansen commended all four on their approach to the pre-season and said he was looking forward to Russell and Austin leading the team.

“Jordan and Mark both have a lot of respect amongst the playing group which is really important for our captains.

“They lead by example both on and off the field, which are really good strengths to have, they can certainly be great role models for our young AFL players with both of them having been in the system previously.”

Prismall, who currently holds a player wellbeing role at the Western Bulldogs was another obvious choice to join the leadership group.

“He obviously has great credentials in nurturing young players and helping them progress through the pathway to AFL football.

“He just has fantastic training habits in regards to preparing for games, recovering from games.”

Fogarty, a western suburbs local who is originally from Spotswood, rounds out the leadership group.

A member of the Footscray premiership side in 2014, Fogarty impressed in his first year at the Club and will provide valuable leadership to the group in 2015.

“His leadership around the group has just gone to another level and is still growing.

“The way he’s presented himself at training, the relationships he’s formed and the respect he’s got amongst the club and the way he plays, has just continued to improve.”

Footscray will play their second practice match this weekend against North Ballarat at Eureka Stadium, with their season opener on Saturday 18 April against Box Hill at Victoria University Whitten Oval.