After a year on the sideline, Jarrod Gilbee is set to make his return to the football field when Footscray take on the Swans this Friday at Mission Whitten Oval.

The defender will pull on the red, white and blue for the first time since suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in Round 3 last year.

Gilbee is one of six inclusions for this week’s game, as a handful of AFL-listed players make their way to senior level for Thursday night’s game.

Footscray will be looking to continue their good start to the season and strengthen their position at the top of the VFL ladder after an impressive victory over Geelong last week.

The game will form part of the Club’s 2016 Premiership celebrations, with former AFL and VFL players coming together at Thursday night’s game to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the premiership wins.

Speaking on the occasion 2016 Footscray premiership player and current development coach Anthony Barry shared the importance of coming together and celebrating the premiership with former teammates.

“On reflection, it was a really amazing team to be a part of and a great experience,” Barry said

“As you get older, you sort of forget the marks, and the kicks and the handballs and everything about it.

“You just think back on the way your teammates made you feel.

“It was really special.

“We had a really core group there that you look back on now and you make a lot of lasting friendships out of that.”

The game kicks off this Friday at Mission Whitten Oval at 11:05AM (AEST).

Admission is free with the game also streamed live and free via the Official AFL App. 

Smithy's VFL Round 5

Footscray Bulldogs v Sydney Swans
Friday 24 April 2026, 11:05am AEST
Mission Whitten Oval, Footscray • Wurundjeri/Boon Wurrung