Four former AFL players will line up for the Footscray Bulldogs in 2014, providing experience and leadership across each area of the ground, VFL Coach Chris Maple says.
As the final lineup becomes more settled, Maple has confirmed that current Bulldogs Player Wellbeing Coordinator Brent Prismall, as well as former players Lukas Markovic and Nick Lower have signed on with Footscray.
They join ex-West Coast Eagles recruit Will Sullivan who will also play for the Bulldogs in their inaugural VFL season.
“When we started out, [age and experience] was obviously a big discussion point on our list management and what it would look like with our VFL players,” Maple said.
“We wanted to have a blend of some older boys with lots of experience, some bigger bodies, with some young guys that we can develop.
“We’ve got at this stage four ex-AFL boys in Nick Lower, Brent Prismall, Lukas Markovic and Will Sullivan.”
Maple said the rapport between Prismall, Lower and Markovic and the wider Club will be invaluable in bridging the gap between the AFL and VFL listed players.
“With Nick Lower,Brent Prismall and Lukas Markovic all having connections with the Western Bulldogs, we thought [their involvement] was important to build the group and blend the two groups together – the VFL and AFL boys,” he said.
“And mentoring and leading by example.”
It was Sullivan’s versatility playing in the ruck or at either key post that earned him a spot on the Footscray Bulldogs side, allowing greater flexibility to develop and teach the senior Bulldogs players.
“Guys like Will Sullivan we saw as a versatile player who can play a variety of roles,” he said
“We have probably gone after utilities that can play three different parts of the ground, two different parts of the ground.
“So when we do have spots available they can play just about any position.”
Maple said the more mature group of players will be an invaluable asset to the developing Footscray side in the VFL next season and will all lead by example.
“They’ll teach the young boys how to train, how to lift and how to play,” he said.
