VFL Grand Final - Footscray v Southport Sharks - Sunday September 21, 2025

[Countrydog5]

How important is playing in a VFL GF for our younger players?
Do the likes of Hynes, Dolan, Jaques, Kennedy, Busslinger, A.Jones and Smith gain much from it?
Does the older players like L.Jones, Treloar, Baker and Treloar push their chances for a new contract or not?

The VFL is often talked about in a negative way but to me it's still a strong competition that prepares players for the seniors and it's quite enjoyable to watch.

What it will tell us is who has that dog in them when the heat is dialled up. Will be a great chance to see who lifts a level when it's all on the line. Got a feeling Dolan and Jaques will, Hynes could be a real barometer. Buss and Jones i'm not so certain about but would love to see them lift for the occasion and really show that will to win.

[macca]

The VFL standalone decision has been huge for us.

Jones played in the 2014 flag. Our 'first' season as Footscray as a VFL standalone. Brett Goodes BOG in the grand final. Dickson and JJ the only 2014 VFL premiership players who went on to play in the 2016 AFL flag.

We had six players from 2014 double up in the 2016 VFL premiership - Jong, Campbell, Honeychurch, Greenwood, Will Hayes and skipper Jordan Russell. Liam Jones has a chance to join them as two-time Footscray premiership players. Our 2016 side also includes current Bulldogs (but not in VFL) Bailey Dale and Bailey Williams, as well as Ben Long who is still playing at the Suns.

Interestingly, the 2016 Casey Demons grand final losers included Clayton Oliver, Alex Neal-Bullen and Oscar McInerney.

These past players bring back so good memories in particular 2016 team.
Bailey Dale played as a forward
Lin Jong was BOG
Hannan was a giant leaping forward
Ben Long was small forward
Will Minson Big bash crash ruckman
Adcock added the half-back/midfield polish
Jack Trengove - who was only a backman
Koby Stevens - hard nut midfielder/forward
R.Smith - dashing halfback
Honey church - loved his toughness and hard tackling. Unfortunately he couldn't kick reliably for AFL


just for those to relive the memories