With a VFL Grand Final berth on the line, Footscray have loaded up on AFL talent for Saturday afternoon’s Preliminary Final against Port Melbourne.

After finishing the season at AFL level, Mark Austin, Tom Campbell, Jason Johannisen and Tom Young all return to the Footscray line-up tackle the ‘Borough at North Port Oval.

The dominant ruckman in VFL ranks this year, Campbell’s return is significant.

The 22-year-old big man finished third overall the J.J. Liston Trophy last week, finishing five votes behind eventual league best and fairest winner Alex Woodward (Box Hill Hawks).

Campbell’s return will also see the reprise of the ruck-forward combination with Ayce Cordy, and make for an imposing front half featuring Jack Redpath, Liam Jones, Tory Dickson and Jarrad Grant.

Austin and Young’s return helps shore up the Bulldogs back-six, while Johannisen provides a versatile running option for VFL Senior Coach Chris Maple.

Lachie Hunter comes out of the winning Qualifying Final side, unavailable for further VFL finals action under the league’s eligibility rules.

Hunter had only played five of a required six VFL regular season match for finals eligibility.

After finishing the 2014 home and away season in the AFL side, Fletcher Roberts will not return to the VFL ranks after having year-ending shoulder surgery earlier in the week.

The last time the two sides met, Footscray were too good in a scrappy, wet affair and first year player Mitch Honeychurch dominated with a 25 possessions, five goal display in the 36 point win.

Footscray has been the in-form team of the competition winning 13 of the past 14 encounters — their only loss in that period at the hands of Box Hill who will play off in the other Preliminary Final this weekend.

VFL powerhouse Port Melbourne are aiming for their third Grand Final appearance in four seasons, while a Bulldogs win will continue a remarkable maiden season run and a VFL Grand Final Berth at Etihad Stadium on Sunday 21 September.


VFL Preliminary Final
Footscray v Port Melbourne
2:10pm, Saturday 13 September, 2014
North Port Oval, 525 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne
Tickets: Adults: $15 / Concession: $10 / Kids 12 & under: Free
*Tickets can be purchased on the gate at North Port Oval.

Full back	39. J. Johannisen	47. M. Austin	32. M. Talia
Half back	20. D. Pearce	31. T. Young	46. L. Jong
Centreline	34. A. Greenwood	44. B. Goodes	33. S. Darley
Half forward	1. J. Grant	19. L. Jones	15. J. Tutt
Full forward	29. T. Dickson	43. J. Redpath	45. T. Campbell
Followers	43. A. Cordy	30. C. Howard	22. M Honeychurch
Interchange (from)	65. J. Russell	59. M. Jensen	50. B. Prismall
	57. M. Fogarty	56. W. Hayes	68. A. Barry
	73. L. Markovic	51. J. Perkins