In their first outing since winning the VFL flag in 2014, the Footscray Bulldogs claimed a 24-point VFL practice match win over Werribee at Victoria University Whitten Oval on Saturday.
The Footscray team included 13 AFL-listed players, with new VFL senior coach Ashley Hansen pleased with the result considering it was the first match that the AFL and VFL listed players had combined for.
“The team hasn’t had the opportunity to spend much time together so one of the most encouraging signs was the football on show from both AFL and VFL listed players,” Hansen said.
“The team-oriented behaviours were evident and an even spread of contributors were one of the key outcomes of the match.”
That even spread of contributors included 11 goalkickers with Tom Campbell and VFL-listed ruckman Darcy Fort contributing with two each.
AFL draftees Lukas Webb and Toby McLean were both impressive on the day, and were named amongst Footscray’s best.
Hansen said the side would continue to build on the weekend’s result over his side’s next three practice match.
“We are really looking forward to building from this foundation over the coming month as round one of the VFL season nears.”
Footscray Bulldogs 14.7.91
Werribee 10.7.67
Goals: Campbell 2, McLean 2, Fort 2, Roberts, Stevens, Hamilton, Prudden, Dale, Darley, Keras, Jamieson
Best: Webb, Hunter, McLean, Smith, Campbell, Fort
Team:
Lachie Hunter
Tom Campbell
Toby McLean
Fletcher Roberts
Lukas Webb
Daniel Pearce
Koby Stevens
Declan Hamilton
Josh Prudden
Bailey Dale
Sam Darley
Jordan Kelly
Roarke Smith
Ben Morton
Jordan Keras
Nick Jamieson
Alex Greenwood
Will Hayes
Michael Fogarty
Darcy Fort
Mitch Jensen
Jordan Russell
Mitch Hannan
Josh Wallis
Anthony Barry
Josh Grabowski
Tom Sharp
