The Western Bulldogs are pleased to announce that they will be playing under the Footscray name in Round 2 as they acknowledge 100 years in the VFL / AFL.

Friday night's home game against Collingwood is the Club's marquee celebration game, with the Bulldogs' biggest ever home and away crowd in prospect.

President Kylie Watson-Wheeler announced the name change this morning at Mission Whitten Oval, noting that Friday night's game was a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" for Bulldogs fans to assemble in record numbers.

"I am delighted to officially announce that we will be playing once again as the Footscray Football Club for this round," Watson-Wheeler said.

01:23

Watson-Wheeler reveals Footscray name change

President Kylie Watson-Wheeler reveals that the club will play under the Footscray name in round two against Collingwood.

"This is a very special season for our Club as we commemorate 100 years in the VFL / AFL and celebrate our remarkable history here in Footscray. The Bulldogs have been an integral feature of this area for well over a century and we’re proud to still be here and thriving to this day.

"While we are fiercely proud to be the Western Bulldogs and have realised unprecedented success on and off the field under that name, this is a great opportunity to honour our past and the magnificent efforts that have made our Club what it is today."

The Club will highlight its history with content and media appearances across the week and will stage a special pre-game ceremony ahead of Friday night's game featuring past players, with former captain Bob Murphy playing an integral role.

Also speaking at Mission Whitten Oval this morning, Murphy said the milestone was a source of pride for everyone associated with the Club.

"Our footy club is a unique one and a special one. The heart of the footy club is in Footscray, it always has been and always will be," Murphy said.

13:54

Murphy and Liberatore on 100 years in Footscray

Bob Murphy and Tom Liberatore speak to the media ahead of our 100 year game against Collingwood at the MCG.

"Any club that survives for 100 years and is now in a position to thrive is incredible. Footscray has nearly gone under a few times and has had an identity shift from survival to what it is today.

"(This Club is) up to its eyeballs in the elite of the competition which is something that makes all of us really proud. This facility is the envy of a lot in the competition, the team shows so much promise and I think the next 100 years will be even more exciting."

The team last played as Footscray in Round 21 last year as it celebrated the 70th anniversary of winning the 1954 premiership, beating Melbourne at Marvel Stadium by an identical margin to that Grand Final victory over the same opponents.