Footscray 2025 signings

[NAUGHTY100]

This is what we have been looking for

Former Coburg and Williamstown onballer Liam Hunt is likely to make a VFL comeback with Footscray Bulldogs.

Hunt left the league after the 2022 season, signing off from Willy. He’s been a dominant player with North Heidelberg, his long-time home club, for the past two seasons.

Hunt won a best and fairest and VFL team-of-the-year honours at Coburg and joined Williamstown in 2019.

His cousin Ethan plays with Footscray and the Hunts are also cousins with Western Bulldogs champion Marcus Bontempelli.

Footscray Bulldogs have added another more mature recruit in Ballarat league top-liner Bailey Medwell, from Sebastopol.

He had 41 disposals, 21 contested possessions and 13 clearances in a match last season.

“He’s a powerful midfielder on the inside but he’s got some really good run on the outside,’’ Sebastopol coach and former North Ballarat player Tony Lockyer told CODE Sports.

“He converts from an inside mid to outside very quickly, bursts from a stoppage and provides some really good run and carry. He’s a very powerful runner. He put on a fair bit of size in the previous few years and he’s got a really good physique.’’

He said Footscray VFL premiership coach Chris Maple recommended Medwell to the club.

The Bulldogs have signed two Western Jets graduates, Xavier Kardachi and Kane Sexton, the son of former leading Port Melbourne forward Danny. Both played senior football last year, Kardachi in Sunshine’s premiership and Sexton with Yarraville Seddon Eagles.

Footscray has also secured former NGA member Riely Collins, an inside midfielder who made his senior debut for Redan last year and was also with the Sandringham Dragons as he attended Caulfield Grammar.

Best and fairest Cooper Craig-Peters, Dan Orgill, Phoenix Spicer, Cameron Owen, Ethan Hunt, Jarrod Gilbee, Josh Kellett, Billy Crofts, Tommy McRae, Tristan Maple, Bailey Young, Diesel Moloney and Chan Hargraves are all returning to the Dogs.

Thanks Gary its almost impossible to get any good info about the Footscray comings and goings , good work mate.

[Bornadog]

Orgill to serve as VFL captain


Dan Orgill has been appointed Footscray captain for the 2025 VFL season.

By Western Bulldogs Media
21 hrs ago Footscray captain Dan Orgill at the 2025 VFL/W Season Launch (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos)
Dan Orgill has been appointed Footscray captain for the 2025 VFL season.

Orgill has spent the last six years at the Kennel, playing 57 games across the last five* seasons.

He was elevated to vice-captain last season and thrived with the formal leadership title, standing in as skipper on numerous occasions.

He also featured in every match of last year’s campaign, including both finals.

“It’s a real honour to be named captain this year,” Orgill said.

“As a team we’ve had a really strong pre-season both on and off the field with some handy recruits who have impressed so far. We were disappointed with the result of the preliminary final last year, but we’re excited to get back to work and hopefully improve on that result.

“We’ve put in a lot of work to improve our game over the pre-season, and can’t wait to get into some games for premiership points.”

Orgill will be supported by Cooper Craig-Peters as vice-captain, while recruit David Cuningham and returning Bulldog Josh Kellett join Jarrod Gilbee in the five-player leadership group.

“Cooper had a breakout season last year which he’s looking to back up,” Orgill said.

“Josh and Jarrod leave their heart and soul out there every week, and set a really good example for the team, while David’s experience at the highest level is going to be a great asset.”

Craig-Peters also played every match of the 2024 season, while Gilbee managed all but two.

Kellett added 12 games to his career tally.

Cuningham crossed from Carlton late last year, impressing his new teammates early to be added to the leadership group in his Dogs’ debut season.

Footscray will kick off their 2025 campaign against the Northern Bullants at Mission Whitten Oval on Saturday 22 March. 2025 Footscray VFL leadership group


Captain: Dan Orgill
Vice-captain: Cooper Craig-Peters
Leadership group: Josh Kellett, Jarrod Gilbee, David Cuningham

*2020 VFL season cancelled due to COVID-19.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Quality player Orgill.

[Axe Man]

Footscray finalises 2025 VFL list

Footscray has finalised its state-league list for the 2025 Smithy’s VFL Season.

As announced earlier this year, David Cuningham, Liam Hunt and Bailey Medwell have joined the Kennel, alongside Cody Bramble – the brother of AFL Bulldog Lachy – and Fred Vapield.

Ted Middleton (Lorne), Omar Abou-Eid (Calder Cannons)and Luca Muratore (Airport West) have also signed with the Bulldogs this season.

Muratore worked closely with star AFL forward and Airport West Development and Assistant Coach Aaron Naughton, emerging as a leading player with 47 goals from 18 games.

Here’s what CODE Sports’ Paul Amy had to say about each of the ‘Scray’s new recruits.

Omar Abou-Eid
Abou-Eid was a 19-year-old player with the Calder Cannons in 2024, with a growth spurt turning him from a midfielder into a 200cm ruckman with a willingness to take the game on.

Cody Bramble
The pacy Bramble is the brother of AFL Western Bulldog Lachy, and had a run with Calder Cannons in 2021 and was on Box Hill Hawks’ list in 2023. He’s spent the past three seasons as a prominent player with Sunbury Lions.

Riely Collins
The former Western Bulldogs NGA member is an inside midfielder who last year split time his time between his local club, Redan, and the Sandringham Dragons as he attended Caulfield Grammar.

David Cuningham
An experienced signing for the ‘Scray in the ex-Blue, who was linked with Sydney after his delisting. Tailed by injury, the 27-year-old made 58 appearances for Carlton, including five last year.

Liam Hunt
A notable recruit for the Bulldogs, with Hunt returning to the VFL at age 26. The onballer won a best and fairest and VFL team-of-the-year honours at Coburg before joining Williamstown in 2019. He left the Towners after the 2022 season and has since been a leading player with North Heidelberg. Hunt’s cousin Ethan plays with Footscray and the Hunts are also cousins with Western Bulldogs champion Marcus Bontempelli.

Bailey Medwell
A more mature recruit for the ‘Scray in Ballarat league top-liner Bailey Medwell, from Sebastopol. He had 41 disposals, 21 contested possessions and 13 clearances in a match last season.

Xavier Kardachi
The Bulldogs were pleased to land midfielder Kardachi, who, after failing to play a game for the Western Jets in 2023, rose to win their best and fairest last year. He also had a top-10 finish in the Morrish Medal and was part of Sunshine’s senior premiership side.

Ted Middleton
The young midfielder from Lorne was the 21st player signed by the Bulldogs, recommended by his coach and former Blue Ed Curnow. Middleton was an excellent contributor to Lorne’s premiership team last year, kicking 19 goals from 14 matches.

Luca Muratore
Star AFL Western Bulldogs Aaron Naughton recommended Muratore to the Bulldogs. Naughton is a development and assistant coach at Essendon District league Airport West, where Muratore has emerged as a leading player, winning the competition goalkicking last year with 47 goals from 18 games.

FINAL VFL LIST 2025 - FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS

#	First Name	Last Name	DOB	Height (cm)	Local Club
50	Daniel	Orgill	03-Oct-01	185	COLLEGIANS
51	David	Cuningham	30-Mar-97	185	TBC
52	Chan	Hargraves	12-Jan-99	194	PORT MELBOURNE COLTS
53	Fred	Valpied	20-Jun-05	183	UNIVERSITY BLACKS
54	Billy	Crofts	14-Sep-98	188	MELTON
55	Connor	Smith	16-Jun-04	175	SOUTH CROYDON
56	Ethan	Hunt	02-Jul-02	180	MOOROOPNA
57	Josh	Kellett	01-Feb-01	181	WERRIBEE DISTRICTS
58	Liam	Hunt	03-Feb-95	187	NORTH HEIDELBERG
59	Cooper	Dahms	19-May-99	181	ELTHAM
61	Cooper	Craig-Peters	10-Nov-01	179	REDAN
62	Cameron	Owen	28-May-04	203	FRANKSTON YCW
63	Phoenix	Spicer	30-Jan-02	173	FITZROY STARS
64	Will	Lewis	05-May-99	195	OLD BRIGHTON
65	Tristan	Maple	08-Jan-04	182	BALLARAT SWANS
66	Xavier	Kardachi	15-Jun-06	190	SUNSHINE
67	Bailey	Young	11-Aug-03	193	HOPPERS CROSSING
68	Luca	Muratore	10-Sep-02	184	AIRPORT WEST
69	Jarrod	Gilbee	03-Jul-01	177	MOOROOLBARK
70	Bailey	Medwell	08-Oct-99	183	SEBASTOPOL
71	Kane	Sexton	09-May-06	190	YARRAVILLE-SEDDON
73	Riely	Collins	26-Mar-06	179	BEAUMARIS
75	Diesel	Moloney	13-May-05	180	DEER PARK
76	Cody	Bramble	10-Feb-03	179	SUNBURY LIONS
77	Ted	Middleton	28-Oct-05	182	LORNE
79	Omar	Abou-Eid	02-Nov-05	203	WEST COBURG

[Grantysghost]

How many cousins does the Bont have !!?

Never disrespect the family *flicks chin*

[GVGjr]

FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS

Coach: Stewart Edge (sixth season)

Last year: 14-3-1, preliminary finals
In: Omar Abou-Eid, Cody Bramble, Riely Collins, David Cuningham, Liam Hunt, Xavier Kardachi, Bailey Medwell, Ted Middleton, Luca Muratore, Kane Sexton, Fred Valpied.
Out: Angus Bade, Trent Bianco, Josh Chatfield, Chance Doultree, Lachie McArthur, Rhett Montgomerie, Charlie Naish, Josh Sparkman, Kai Stretton, Connor Watson, Sam Willoughby.

State of play: The ‘Scray looked ticketed for the grand final after an excellent home-and-away season last year, only to be nosed out by Southport in the preliminary final. They should again occupy top-four territory after answering a few departures with some excellent inclusions. Ex-Blue David Cuningham is a significant addition and the experienced Liam Hunt is the back in the competition where he won a best and fairest with Coburg. Hunt joins his cousins Ethan Hunt and Marcus Bontempelli at the Whitten Oval. Luca Muratore is one to watch. Star AFL Western Bulldog Aaron Naughton, a development and assistant coach at Essendon District league Airport West, recommended Muratore to the Dogs after watching him boot 47 goals from 18 games last year. Bailey Medwell, from Sebastopol, is also expected to adapt to the higher level. He had 41 disposals, 21 contested possessions and 13 clearances in a match last season. Dan Orgill will captain Footscray, backed by 2024 best and fairest Cooper Craig-Peters.