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August 13, 2014 3:00 PM
The race to the VFL finals is fierce with just two rounds remaining but Footscray’s place in September has been all but confirmed after Sunday’s 40-point win over Werribee Tigers.
“Last weekend was an exceptional effort from the boys, they came out firing,” Development Manager Chris Maple said.
Footscray currently sit second on the ladder with 12 wins and the highest percentage in the competition.
But winning still isn’t the primary focus for Maple who said the team will continue on their developmental path, with the long term look to the future.
“We are using it as a development platform for all of our players and we have had a large number of boys come through the side this year,” Maple said.
“We are under no illusions that the main reason we exist is because of the AFL side and we are there to help develop the players and build confidence.
“I think we have done that fairly successfully this year and we have seen some good results from our young players at our footy Club.”
Maple said a benefit of the stand-alone side is exposure to senior VFL football – after a number of young Bulldogs were relegated to the development league through the alignment.
“You look back and see guys like Fletcher Roberts and Lin Jong who have all had AFL games this year, Jack Redpath as well, and at times [they] were playing development footy last year,” he said.
“It is really fast-tracking our players and getting the desired result of having our own development side.”
Ten currently listed Bulldogs played a total of 36 games in the VFL development league last season, seven from that same group have combined to play 56 senior games in 2014.
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Footscray coach Chris Maple at three quarter time during the VFL Round 10 match between Port Melbourne and Footscray at North Port Oval, Melbourne on June 14, 2014. (Photo: Theo Karanikos/AFL Media)
The race to the VFL finals is fierce with just two rounds remaining but Footscray’s place in September has been all but confirmed after Sunday’s 40-point win over Werribee Tigers.
“Last weekend was an exceptional effort from the boys, they came out firing,” Development Manager Chris Maple said.
Footscray currently sit second on the ladder with 12 wins and the highest percentage in the competition.
But winning still isn’t the primary focus for Maple who said the team will continue on their developmental path, with the long term look to the future.
“We are using it as a development platform for all of our players and we have had a large number of boys come through the side this year,” Maple said.
“We are under no illusions that the main reason we exist is because of the AFL side and we are there to help develop the players and build confidence.
“I think we have done that fairly successfully this year and we have seen some good results from our young players at our footy Club.”
Maple said a benefit of the stand-alone side is exposure to senior VFL football – after a number of young Bulldogs were relegated to the development league through the alignment.
“You look back and see guys like Fletcher Roberts and Lin Jong who have all had AFL games this year, Jack Redpath as well, and at times [they] were playing development footy last year,” he said.
“It is really fast-tracking our players and getting the desired result of having our own development side.”
Ten currently listed Bulldogs played a total of 36 games in the VFL development league last season, seven from that same group have combined to play 56 senior games in 2014.
Link
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