The Footscray Bulldogs have submitted their team for tomorrow afternoon’s VFL season opener against the Sydney Swans at VU Whitten Oval.

14 AFL-listed Bulldogs will take to the field, including Tim O’Brien, Stefan Martin and Bailey Williams, alongside 2021 draftees Luke Cleary and Arthur Jones to name a few.

Reigning best and fairest winner Robbie McComb will also line up for the ‘Scray, after being added to the Bulldogs’ senior list via pick 23 in the 2021 rookie draft.

Familiar faces Lachie Sullivan, Charlie Cormack and Bailey Van De Heuvel have also been named, while Joshua Chatfield and Will Lewis will make their red, white and blue debuts.

Ewan Macpherson has been named as the 23^rd player*.

Gates at VU Whitten Oval will open at 3.30pm for a 4.35pm start tomorrow afternoon.

Tickets are available for pre-purchase here.

More information can be found in our VFL Match-Day Hub here.

ROUND 1 TEAM 

Footscray Bulldogs v Sydney Swans
Friday 25 March, 4.35pm AEDT
VU Whitten Oval

B: Buku Khamis, Bailey Williams, Bailey Van De Heuvel
HB: Charlie Cormack, Luke Cleary, Louis Butler,
C: Arthur Jones, Robbie McComb, Jarrod Gilbee
HF: Josh Schache, Tim O’Brien, Cody Raak
F: Rhylee West, Stefan Martin, Riley Garcia
R: Jordon Sweet, Mitch Wallis, Lachie Sullivan,
Int: Josh Kellett, Joshua Chatfield, Austin Hodge, Will Lewis
23^rd player: Ewan Macpherson
Emer: Luke Goater, Dan Orgill, Charlie MacIsaac, Hugo Bromell, Cooper Craig-Peters, Angus Bade.

*The 23rd player rule was removed for the 2021 season but has been reinstated this season. The extra player must be aged under 20 (on January 1 2022), be an under-20 development-lister or NAB Leaguer, and can only be used in that role four times throughout the home-and-away season.

The Footscray Bulldogs have recorded a 44-point defeat to Sydney in the 2022 VFL season opener.

The Bulldogs found themselves within arms’ reach in the second half - even snatching the lead for a moment - but the Swans stormed home in the 6.10 (46) to 13.12 (90) affair. 

A low-scoring opening term saw just a pair of goals kicked between the two teams, with Sydney taking a 13-point lead into the first break.  

Josh Schache converted for the Bulldogs’ first of the year early in the second term, before back-to-back goals from the visitors extended their lead out to 21 points. 

But Footscray managed to find some momentum, booting three consecutive goals in just over four minutes to level the scores at half-time.

The third term was more of an arm wrestle, with just a handful of points separating the two for most of the quarter. 

But the Swans quickly swung momentum back in their favour, closing out the game with six of the last seven goals. 

AFL-listed Bulldog and 2021 Footscray Best-and- Fairest Robbie McComb found plenty of the footy, finishing with 36 possessions, 10 marks and a goal. 

Mitch Wallis was good in the middle, registering 26 disposals, while Cody Raak impressed with 22 touches and 11 marks. 

The Bulldogs will look to bounce back when they meet the Northern Bullants in round two. 

MATCH DETAILS 

FOOTSCRAY 0.3 4.6 5.9 6.10 (46)

SYDNEY 2.4 4.6 7.10 13.12 (90)

Goals: Schache 2, Gilbee, Van de Heuvel, McComb, Butler.