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Footscray has named a strong line-up for its preliminary final clash against Port Melbourne on Saturday as shades of 1923 hit the VFL in this finals series.
In that season, the Bulldogs won their eighth VFA flag, defeating Port Melbourne in the grand final, and Williamstown and Hawthorn finished in the top four.
Williamstown tackles Hawthorn's VFL affiliate Box Hill in the other preliminary final on Sunday.
The Bulldogs, in their return to the VFL ranks this season, have been one of the success stories although their premiership credentials have always been in doubt, mainly due to coach Chris Maple's persistent focus on development of its younger players rather than success.
But in a good sign for the club, it is fielding one of its best line-ups for the season, with Mark Austin, Jason Johannisen, Tom Campbell and Tom Young – all of whom played in the Bulldogs' final-round match against Greater Western Sydney – returning. Fletcher Roberts, who was eligible to return, has not been named, and Lachie Hunter, who played in the qualifying final win against Williamstown, will miss because he's ineligible after failing to play enough VFL matches during the season.
Port Melbourne faces a tall order: Bulldog beanpoles Liam Jones, Ayce Cordy, Jarrad Grant, Jack Redpath and Tom Campbell will provide plenty of headaches.
The Bulldogs will aim to follow Box Hill's strategy in stretching Port's defence, however Port Melbourne, on its home deck, will prove a handful.
The Dogs have also named Tory Dickson, Mitch Honeychurch, Christian Howard, Sam Darley, Jason Tutt and Lin Jong. They will also be buoyed by their most recent outing against the Borough – in round 10 – when they won by six goals.
Borough midfielder Tom O'Sullivan, coming off a best-on-ground display last week against Sandringham, said restricting the Dogs' talls would be the key.
"Shutting down their keys in Campbell, Jones and all those blokes is pretty important. Maybe Hugh [Sandilands] might have to go back at some stage but hopefully our key backs [Sam] Pleming and [Daniel] Noonan can get the job done like they've been doing for most of the year," O'Sullivan said.
Daniel Connors has been named but is in doubt with a back injury. Toby Pinwill returns from suspension.
For Port Melbourne, it is has been a story of revival after admitting it was an end of an era last season. The list was rejuvenated over the off-season with mature-age talent – and the new players haven't let the team down.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-new...#ixzz3D4kDN3ND
In that season, the Bulldogs won their eighth VFA flag, defeating Port Melbourne in the grand final, and Williamstown and Hawthorn finished in the top four.
Williamstown tackles Hawthorn's VFL affiliate Box Hill in the other preliminary final on Sunday.
The Bulldogs, in their return to the VFL ranks this season, have been one of the success stories although their premiership credentials have always been in doubt, mainly due to coach Chris Maple's persistent focus on development of its younger players rather than success.
But in a good sign for the club, it is fielding one of its best line-ups for the season, with Mark Austin, Jason Johannisen, Tom Campbell and Tom Young – all of whom played in the Bulldogs' final-round match against Greater Western Sydney – returning. Fletcher Roberts, who was eligible to return, has not been named, and Lachie Hunter, who played in the qualifying final win against Williamstown, will miss because he's ineligible after failing to play enough VFL matches during the season.
Port Melbourne faces a tall order: Bulldog beanpoles Liam Jones, Ayce Cordy, Jarrad Grant, Jack Redpath and Tom Campbell will provide plenty of headaches.
The Bulldogs will aim to follow Box Hill's strategy in stretching Port's defence, however Port Melbourne, on its home deck, will prove a handful.
The Dogs have also named Tory Dickson, Mitch Honeychurch, Christian Howard, Sam Darley, Jason Tutt and Lin Jong. They will also be buoyed by their most recent outing against the Borough – in round 10 – when they won by six goals.
Borough midfielder Tom O'Sullivan, coming off a best-on-ground display last week against Sandringham, said restricting the Dogs' talls would be the key.
"Shutting down their keys in Campbell, Jones and all those blokes is pretty important. Maybe Hugh [Sandilands] might have to go back at some stage but hopefully our key backs [Sam] Pleming and [Daniel] Noonan can get the job done like they've been doing for most of the year," O'Sullivan said.
Daniel Connors has been named but is in doubt with a back injury. Toby Pinwill returns from suspension.
For Port Melbourne, it is has been a story of revival after admitting it was an end of an era last season. The list was rejuvenated over the off-season with mature-age talent – and the new players haven't let the team down.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-new...#ixzz3D4kDN3ND
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