Footscray is building up a head of steam in the Victorian Football League.
After a spluttering opening month, the Bulldogs have reeled off three consecutive wins to move to sixth on the ladder.
But while the Bulldogs are on the rise, they are yet to show their credentials as a serious contender with hit-and-miss form against top-eight opponents so far.
The Dogs will get a real gauge of where they truly sit in the pecking order when they face defending premiers Williamstown in the western derby at Whitten Oval on Sunday.
“It’s another challenge that our young guys are ready for and certainly one we’re priming ourselves for,” Bulldogs coach Ashley Hansen told Star Weekly.
“I don’t think any one game is an eight-point game, but it’s certainly an important one in relation to our season.”
Footscray and Williamstown certainly share a bit of history, which makes the clash all the more appetising.
They were engaged in an AFL-VFL alignment for six years before going their separate ways at the end of 2013.
The split has worked a treat for both clubs with Footscray taking out the flag in 2014, followed by Williamstown last season.
“The two premiers of the last couple of years going head to head is always a spectacle,” Hansen said.
“Footy in the west should really relish these games and turn up and support them.
“It’s a growing rivalry each year, but it’s a really healthy one with a lot of respect between the two clubs with the history we’ve had.”
Footscray is content with its 4-3 record so far this season as the Bulldogs’ manpower has been challenged by key injuries for both the AFL and VFL team.
Their clashes with premiership contenders Sandringham and Werribee ended in losses, while a defeat to Richmond after leading by five goals was a tough pill to swallow.
The ship has been a little steadier with victories over North Ballarat, Port Melbourne and Essendon in the past three matches.
“I think it’s a reflection of where we’re at as a team,” Hansen said. “We’ve been hit by a fair bit of injury on both the VFL and AFL lists, but it’s created a lot of opportunities for guys.
“I’m really happy with the fact we’re 4-3 and have probably strengthened our list in regards to being able to get a lot of first-year players into our system or new players to our club.
“It sets us up to have really good depth in the second half of the year.”
There is always interest in next-cab-off-the-rank discussions when it comes to promotions from Footscray’s side to the AFL.
Lukas Webb and Mitch Honeychurch are banging down the door after their form in the VFL and would seem to be the next in line.
More often than not when a Footscray player has been promoted this season, he has provided a meaningful contribution to the AFL side and that was evident in Josh Dunkley’s performance in the Western Bulldogs’ win over Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.
“At our club at the moment you have to put together a catalogue of good performances,” Hansen said. “It’s not just a one-off, which might’ve been rewarded with an AFL game in the past. Those guys have put together a really strong portfolio and are discussed weekly at match committee.
“They’ll have to wait for their opportunity, which can be frustrating, but I think it prepares them for success when they do get the call-up.”
