Footscray Bulldogs VFL fixture confirmed for 2016

[Bornadog]

Footscray Bulldogs will start the 2016 season with three of the Club’s first five games at Victoria University Whitten Oval.

Following the VFL fixture release on Friday, it revealed Footscray would also host a further six games at VU Whitten Oval next season (nine in total).

Footscray Bulldogs General Manager Ben Graham said the Club welcomed the VFL side’s draw.

“We see this as a balanced fixture and are pleased to play nine games at the Whitten Oval again this year,” Graham said.

Footscray will play in six ‘double-headers’ throughout the year, where fans can catch a Footscray match during the day, and see the AFL side in action the same afternoon or evening.

“It provides a great opportunity for our most ardent members and supporters, who can watch both the VFL and AFL sides in the one day,” Graham said.

Bulldogs fans won’t have to wait long for their first back-to-back, VFL/AFL clash, with one scheduled for the opening round of the VFL season.

Footscray will take on the Northern Blues at VU Whitten Oval at 11am in their season opener, while the AFL side will take on reigning premiers Hawthorn at 3:20pm at Etihad Stadium in round three of the AFL season.

Date	Round	Opponent	Venue	Time
Sunday, 10 April	1	Northern Blues (H)	Victoria University Whitten Oval	11:00am
Saturday, 16 April	2	Richmond (A)	ME Bank Centre (Punt Road)	12:00pm
Saturday, 23 April	3	Sandringham (A)	Trevor Barker Beach Oval	2:00pm
Saturday, 30 April	4	Werribee Tigers (H)	Victoria University Whitten Oval	12:00pm
Sunday, 8 May	5	North Ballarat (H)	Victoria University Whitten Oval	11:40am
Sunday, 14 May	6	Port Melbourne (A)	North Port Oval	2:00pm
Sunday, 22 May	7	Essendon (A)	Windy Hill	12:00pm
	8	BYE
Sunday, 5 June	9	Williamstown (H)	Victoria University Whitten Oval	11:00am
Saturday, 11 June	10	Geelong (H)	Victoria University Whitten Oval	11:00am
Sunday, 19 June	11	Frankston (A)	Frankston Oval	2:00pm
	12	BYE
Saturday, 2 July	13	Coburg Lions (A)	Piranha Park	1:00pm
Saturday, 9 July	14	Richmond (H)	Victoria University Whitten Oval	2:00pm
Sunday, 17 July	15	Casey Scorpions (H)	Victoria University Whitten Oval	11:40am
Sunday, 24 July	16	Northern Blues (A)	IKON Park	2:00pm
Saturday, 30 July	17	Box Hill Hawks (H)	Victoria University Whitten Oval	12:00pm
Sunday, 7 August	18	Williamstown (A)	Burbank Oval	2:00pm
	19	BYE
Sunday, 21 August	20	Werribee Tigers (A)	Avalon Airport Oval	12:00pm
Saturday, 27 August	21	Collingwood (H)	Victoria University Whitten Oval	12:00pm

link

[Bornadog]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs VFL fixture confirmed for 2016

Talking points

1. Nine Home Games
The return of top level VFL football to our spiritual home in Footscray has been special for both players and fans, and like last year, the Bulldogs have been scheduled to play nine times at Victoria University Whitten Oval. Footscray will both open and close the season on their home deck; and there won’t be a spare seat in the EJ Whitten Stand when the Magpies come to town for the final game of the home and away season.
_____________

2. VFL/AFL Doubleheaders
Is there a better way to spend the weekend than the VFL/AFL double? There are six occasions in 2016 where you can wear the red, white and blue all day long. Footscray will open the season at 11:00am on Sunday, April 10 at VU Whitten Oval against the Northern Blues, and the early start will provide ample time for fans to make it into Etihad Stadium to see the AFL boys take on Hawthorn at 3:20pm. However, the highlight of the 2016 doubleheaders might be on Saturday, July 9 where the Bulldogs play Richmond at VU Whitten Oval at 2:00pm in VFL action, before facing the Tigers under lights at Etihad Stadium in a feature AFL clash.
_____________

3. The Double Ups
Footscray will play four teams twice in season 2016, the most notable being reigning premiers Williamstown at VU Whitten Oval in round 8, and then again at Burbank Oval in round 18. The ’Scray split their games with the Seagulls in 2015, including a late season away win over the then ladder leaders that put the Dogs back into the top 4. The Bulldogs also face the Northern Blues, Richmond and Werribee, twice, all of whom Footscray accounted for last season.
_____________
4. Out of the Gates
The Dogs won four of their first six games in 2015, a start that went a long way to earning the double chance at the end of the home and away season. Footscray will have to do their best work away from home in 2016 if they’re to repeat that performance, with just three of the ’Scray's first seven games to be played at VU Whitten Oval. If they can emerge from that period with a record similar to what was produced in 2015, they'll be well on their way to a third straight top 4 finish.
_____________

5.The Run Home
With most sides jockeying for ladder position in the run up to the finals, how often sides are drawn to play at home can be crucial. Footscray stormed home last season, winning four of their last five games, despite playing only two of those at home. Who knows what they can do in 2016 – the boys will play four of their final seven games at home in Footscray.

link

[ledge]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs VFL fixture confirmed for 2016

On the VFL side I was at the club today talking to Kippo and he said the Scoreboard they originally had planned to build for next year has been withheld due to deciding on more lighting for the VFL club to train under.
Wasnt happy with last years poor excuse for a scoreboard so im thinking it will be just a black and white one next year, at least we will be able to see it !

[Eastdog]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs VFL fixture confirmed for 2016

While we couldn't go back to back this season hopefully we can be in the running once again for the VFL premiership in 2016 and win it again.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs VFL fixture confirmed for 2016

Given our AFL list depth, if we don't get too many injuries through the year, the Footscray team will be very powerful.

In another thread a few weeks ago, I tried to compile a likely R1 Footscray team (taking out Rocco's R1 AFL team and The Smiths, who will be injured). It looked like:

B: Cordy/Collins/Prudden
HB: Adcock/Adams/Webb
C: Williams/Dunkley/Dale
HF: Daniel/Redpath/Maclean
F: Honeychurch/Campbell/Hamilton
R: Minson/Jong/Hrovat
I/C: Lynch/Goetz/Footscray players

I reckon that team would not embarass itself against some of the weaker AFL teams and will be awfully hard to beat in the VFL.

[Mantis]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs VFL fixture confirmed for 2016

Given our AFL list depth, if we don't get too many injuries through the year, the Footscray team will be very powerful.

In another thread a few weeks ago, I tried to compile a likely R1 Footscray team (taking out Rocco's R1 AFL team and The Smiths, who will be injured). It looked like:

B: Cordy/Collins/Prudden
HB: Adcock/Adams/Webb
C: Williams/Dunkley/Dale
HF: Daniel/Redpath/Maclean
F: Honeychurch/Campbell/Hamilton
R: Minson/Jong/Hrovat
I/C: Lynch/Goetz/Footscray players

I reckon that team would not embarass itself against some of the weaker AFL teams and will be awfully hard to beat in the VFL.

As expected it's a very young team, but it is a team full of talent with as many as 10-12 of these already very capable AFL players.. Exciting times ahead.

[F'scary]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs VFL fixture confirmed for 2016

Thanks for the heads up, BAD. Makes the mouth water - gee I hope I can find the time off to do at least one of those double headers.

Watching the VFL next year will provide superb opportunities to see a whole batch of young stars develop.

Can't wait and Merry Christmas to all.

[Twodogs]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs VFL fixture confirmed for 2016

Thanks for the heads up, BAD. Makes the mouth water - gee I hope I can find the time off to do at least one of those double headers.

Watching the VFL next year will provide superb opportunities to see a whole batch of young stars develop.

Can't wait and Merry Christmas to all.

The double header I'd love to do is next year is Etihad on VFL Grand Final Sunday/week long premiership celebration, possibly involving week long pub crawl from Telstra to the MCG via Footscray/MCG AFL Grand Final Saturday/Month long Premiership celebration, possibly involving a pub crawl from the MCG to Footscray via Bendigo or Adelaide or somewhere nice.