The Western Bulldogs have been granted permission for four additional players to train with the AFL squad when they return in 2021.

Footscray’s 2019 best and fairest, Anthony Scott, is one of those players, alongside father-son prospect Ewan Macpherson, Next Generation Academy youngster Cody Raak and Eastern Ranges product Corey Preston.

Scott, a goal-kicking midfielder, had been elevated to the vice-captaincy at Footscray for 2020 before the season was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Macpherson, an 18-year-old small defender from the Northern Knights, is the son of 188-game Bulldog Steve and younger brother of Gold Coast Sun, Darcy.

Raak is a key defender from Caroline Springs who has come through the Western Jets program, while Preston is an 18-year-old small forward from Ferntree Gully.

Scott and Preston joined the Bulldogs’ pre-season program this week, with Macpherson and Raak to join in from next week.

The Bulldogs are one of seven clubs to take on train-on players as part of the AFL Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP).

With the retirement of forward Sam Lloyd, the Bulldogs could elect to add a player to their list for 2021. Players who suffer season-ending injuries can also be replaced, if they are added to the inactive list.

Players can be signed as part of the SSP between Wednesday 6 January and Tuesday 9 March.