Footscray has added more to its young core as it builds ahead of the Victorian Premier Cricket season.
The Bulldogs had a tough 2024-25 season riddled with injuries and inconsistency which saw the side finish in 15th spot with only four wins of the season.
But with another pre-season under the belt, some players returning from injury and some key recruits things are looking up.
Bulldogs coach Dale McDonald said they were going along really well.
“We’ve got some new players and some top end talent,” he said. “The development has been really good over the winter.
“We’ll have three players back as well who will be like new recruits.”
Bowler Ashton Frost ?has joined the club from Melbourne and has been involved in the Vic Country under-19s.
Declan O’Brien crosses from Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association club Spotswood, while Deer Park premiership player Lachlan Fitzgerald also comes across.
Mickey Edwards, who formerly played at Northcote, but didn’t play last season is another from Melbourne’s west to join the club.
McDonald said they had been keen to reward cricketers from Melbourne’s west with an opportunity to play at a higher level.
“There’s some up and coming players that we’ve kept an eye on over the past 18 months,” he said.
McDonald said they would hope to get a few more games out of some of their regular first XI players.
Jack Prestwidge missed several games and didn’t bowl for most of the season, while Josh Pace broke both his arms.
Bailey Toseland is another they are hoping to get more out of this year.
All three will strengthen the bowling line up that struggled at times last season.
McDonald said overall they feel in a stronger place this season.
“It’s been a productive off season and we want to build on last year,” he said.
We have improved on what we had.
“Daniel Wilczynski played half the year in the first XI and has done a lot of Victorian state development stuff that has helped him come on leaps and pounds with cricket.
“Max Birthisel played cricket in Darwin as did Dylan Brasher who we think can have another good year.
“Mitch Jamieson has been away playing a fair bit of cricket as well in the off season.”
McDonald said finals was something they were looking at, but their immediate focus was taking it one week at a time.
“Hopefully we take giant steps forward,” he said. “We’ve had a productive pre-season and we’re happy with where we’re at.”
The Bulldogs are set to kick off their season on October 4 against Kingston Hawthorn in a one-dayer.
