Footscray FC VFL 2024

[jazzadogs]

Seeing Smads and dog town posts in another thread, I thought I would start one specifically about the VFL squad as it seems there is already some player movement and speculation. I'll copy Smads comments below...

I definitely see our ruck and tall forward as the 'weak points' of our vfl side. It will be an interesting watch to see who we sign...can we convince any decent players to come and audition for us, given our high frequency of recruiting from Footscray?

[jazzadogs]

Re: Footscray FC VFL 2024

Smads post from the other thread...

"We are all aware of the second half season 'run' the VFL side had which was predicated on a dominant midfield led by Sweet/Sullivan and supported by McPherson, McComb, Garner, Craig-Peters and occasionally by AFL players in West, Garcia and later Mclean.

Clearly we won't have all those players in 2024 (ie Sweet, McComb and likely Mclean), and we will be hoping players like West/Garcia are playing much more AFL than VFL.

Therefore we will need some of the other core VFL players to re-sign for 2024 if possible, but some may look for better opportunities if they still have AFL ambitions ie Sullivan, Chatfield, Garner, Goater

If we can keep as many of the better performing VFL players from this year (I'll had Hunt, Orgill, Drummond, Kellett and Gilbee) then with the overflow of AFL players coming down each week, we should be thereabouts again next year.

The challenge is replacing the Sweet/2023 mids rapport. I don't think this can be done with Smith (yet), therefore there is going to have to be a more even spread of contributors - this bodes well for our recent recruits being able to 'shine' and for the 2nd year bods like Buss, Gags and Clarke going the next step.

As someone mentions in a separate post, the forward line height may be a problem with little AFL coverage there (if Buku plays back). Critical re-signings then would be Goater, Macisaac, Caleb Lewis and Chatfield (with the latter playing 100% fwd vs being a swingman).

My thoughts..."

[Smads57]

Re: Footscray FC VFL 2024

Lachie Sullivan invited to train with Collingwood this SSP period. According to AFL site, likely to start training with the Pies from tomorrow.

[GVGjr]

Re: Footscray FC VFL 2024

Lachie Sullivan invited to train with Collingwood this SSP period. According to AFL site, likely to start training with the Pies from tomorrow.

Good luck to Sullivan, he deserves a chance.
I think Ewan MacPherson is heading up Brisbane or Gold Coast as well to play in the VFL.

[Axe Man]

Re: Footscray FC VFL 2024

Sounds like we will have some work to do recruiting some replacement VFL players. The fact we once again took a player from Footscray this season (Poulter) should makes us an attractive destination for any serious AFL aspirants.

[GVGjr]

Re: Footscray FC VFL 2024

Sounds like we will have some work to do recruiting some replacement VFL players. The fact we once again took a player from Footscray this season (Poulter) should makes us an attractive destination for any serious AFL aspirants.

You would think so but I guess with no open spots for all of 2024 it could lessen the appeal just a bit for potential players heading into next season. Our track record of providing our VFL listed players a chance should be seen as a positive.

[Axe Man]

Re: Footscray FC VFL 2024

You would think so but I guess with no open spots for all of 2024 it could lessen the appeal just a bit for potential players heading into next season. Our track record of providing our VFL listed players a chance should be seen as a positive.

Clubs are always only 1 long term injury away from a spot opening up though and of course there is always the 2024 post season.

[GVGjr]

Re: Footscray FC VFL 2024

Collingwood Magpies size up Footscray VFL skipper Lachie Sullivan



It's off the tools and onto the training track for Lachie Sullivan.

The Footscray VFL captain will start training with Collingwood on Wednesday in the hope of gaining a listing during the supplemental selection period.

Sullivan, 25, and coming off his best season in the VFL, was contacted by Pies’ recruiter Derek Hine last week. He underwent a medical and met Collingwood list chief Graeme Wright on Monday.

The midfielder said he was surprised to receive the call, which followed the disappointment of being overlooked in the national and rookie drafts.

"It's been a crazy couple of weeks, to be honest," Sullivan said this afternoon.

"I'm not going to lie, I was disappointed (with the draft). Pretty shattering. But you’ve got to move on. And now here I am a week later being given this opportunity. Like I said, it's pretty crazy how it works.

"It’s full-time (training) starting tomorrow and then pretty much following their program until Christmas, I'd say. I’'l find out as we go along. It’s a great opportunity. I was stoked when they called. I can't wait to get into it.’"

He added: "I'll be doing everything I can to make the most of it."

Sullivan, an electrician, had an outstanding 2023 season, averaging 30.9 possessions from 20 games.

He won his second Footscray best and fairest, earned a team-of-the-year plaque and polled 21 votes to finish equal-third in the JJ Liston Trophy.

Sullivan was also crowned the league MVP.

"I reckon my impact has been a lot greater this year," he told CODE Sports in August.

"I think I’m doing more with the footy, which is what you always want, and we're winning games too. I feel like I'm getting better every year, to be honest."

Footscray VFL coach Stewart Edge recruited Sullivan to the ‘Scray in 2018 after he figured in a VAFA flag with St Kevin’s.

"He’s a running machine," Edge said.

"Every week he knocks out 14 kilometres and four kilometres of high-intensity running. There is no AFL player who comes into our team and runs further than that. So he covers the ground extremely well, exceptionally well, and he's good with ball in hand."

He called Sullivan a "quiet achiever" who without fuss or fanfare was in the best players most weeks.

"He just gets it done, leads by example, and he’s a ripping young guy," Edge said. Sullivan played in the TAC Cup for the Oakleigh Chargers and has been captain of Footscray since 2021.

[dog town]

Re: Footscray FC VFL 2024

I’m told former Collingwood player Trent Bianco has joined delisted Bomber Rhett Montgomerie as Footscray vfl players for 2024.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Re: Footscray FC VFL 2024

You would think so but I guess with no open spots for all of 2024 it could lessen the appeal just a bit for potential players heading into next season. Our track record of providing our VFL listed players a chance should be seen as a positive.

I think Sam Power said that only 4 AFL teams have spots going into next season. Hopefully we can dig up a couple of nuggets.

[China Dog]

Re: Footscray FC VFL 2024

Shame to potentially lose Sullivan and McPherson, but it opens up opportunities for others who could make the AFL list in the future.

[GVGjr]

Re: Footscray FC VFL 2024

Shame to potentially lose Sullivan and McPherson, but it opens up opportunities for others who could make the AFL list in the future.

I agree but it's good to get a first hand look at Rhett Montgomerie and Trent Bianco today who trained with the main group.

[Axe Man]

Re: Footscray FC VFL 2024

I agree but it's good to get a first hand look at Rhett Montgomerie and Trent Bianco today who trained with the main group.

Did he look suspiciously like Brett Montgomery but with a mustache and wig?

[GVGjr]

Re: Footscray FC VFL 2024

Did he look suspiciously like Brett Montgomery but with a mustache and wig?

As Smads57 pointed out 'he looks like Bailey Dale but it's not him'
Smads broke the mystery code pretty quickly

[Smads57]

Re: Footscray FC VFL 2024

Shame to potentially lose Sullivan and McPherson, but it opens up opportunities for others who could make the AFL list in the future.

Agree but Sully will be big shoes to fill….