2014 Footscray premiership player Tom Young is one of seven new faces who’ll line up for the Bulldogs under new coach Steve Grace this season.
The 24-year-old Young had 19 touches and kicked a goal in the Dogs’ historic 2014 premiership, and will be joined by former Magpie Matt Goodyear, Anthony Bruhn, Billy Gowers, Josh Patullo, Nick De Steiger and Jayden Foster, son of former Bulldog Peter Foster.
Grace broke down each new signing for westernbulldogs.com.au.
Anthony Bruhn ((Frankston YCW)
“Anthony is from Frankston YCW which is where (2016 VFL premiership player) Anthony Barry is from.
“Anthony has been a successful player down on the Mornington Peninsula for a number of years.
“A school teacher by trade, 25 years old, around about 188cm forward, he kicked almost 70 goals in the Mornington Peninsula league in Frankston YCW’s successful season.
“He’s an exciting, experienced player to have on board.”
Jayden Foster (Carlton)
“Jayden spent two years on Carlton’s list, Jayden’s a very neat, great-sized player who runs very well.
“We’re looking forward to giving him a real run at it.
“He’s impressed me with his neatness and use so far. He’s a player who can play at either end – I know he trained at Carlton initially as a forward but played initially as a back for most of his time which suits us, because we like him to play rotating roles.”
Matt Goodyear (Collingwood)
“Matty is an outstanding young man with great character, he’s been at the Pies for the last two years before this, and had three tastes of senior football last year.
“He’s a qualiy inside midfielder who’s looking to express himself in other roles as well.”
Billy Gowers (Carlton)
“Billy Gowers has come onto us late and we’re wrapped to have him in our program. Billy’s an explosive, strong running back (who) played last year at Carlton as a rookie.
“They played him as a midfielder for a little bit, so he’s an inside mid, and as I said before he’s an explosive running back.”
View the 2017 Footscray Bulldogs fixture
Tom Young (ex- WB, Sydney University)
“Tommy Young, is a fantastic and very popular young man here at the Club having been involved in the previous premiership here.
“He’s had some real success at NEAFL level up in Sydney so we’re wrapped to get him to come back here, so Tommy played some successful footy in the NEAFL as an inside-mid but he can play strongly as a back as well”.
Josh Patullo (Gippsland Power)
“Played as a 19-year-old for Gippy and has tremendous upside and development in him as a Key forward/ruckman. Excellent hands and has shown positive improvement thus far already.”
Nick De Steiger (Old Melburnians)
“Strong and imposing at 199cm. Regarded as the best ruckman in Premier Division Amateurs in 2016.”
Footscray open their 2017 season at Victoria University Whitten Oval under lights on Friday, 14 April against Box Hill.
