Nick Lower could make an unlikely VFL Grand Final return, with the Footscray Bulldogs captain named in squad for Sunday’s season decider.

Lower is one of a handful of inclusion to the Footscray squad, along with fellow co-captain Lukas Markovic.

After dropping three of its first five games of season 2014, Footscray went on the tear, winning 14 of its past 15 games, including spirited wins in the Qualifying Final against Williamstown and the Preliminary Final against Port Melbourne. 

It was the Box Hill Hawks that inflicted Footscray’s only defeat in the back half of the home and away season, a seven-point victory over the Dogs at the Kennel in round 14.

After winning through to the season decider, vice-captain Jordan Russell says he doesn’t think the reality of the occasion will hit the players until the first bounce on Sunday.

“I don’t think it will [sink in] until we step foot onto Etihad Stadium,” Russell

“It will be good to get under the roof and see how the boys go.”

With the Hawks the last team to inflict defeat upon the Bulldogs, Russell says his side are well aware of the task ahead.

 “Obviously they’ve been an in-form side all year and have played some really good footy and their talls are pretty dangerous so we’ve got some homework to get done.”