If you had told me at the start of the year that I’d be playing twos for most of 2014, I would have been a very disappointed young man.
Footscray was tipped to come dead last, and I was definitely one who thought we would struggle to win in our first year.
A new team with a group of blokes who would rather be playing senior footy combining with part-time VFL footballers doesn’t sound like an environment that would evoke too much care and passion.
How wrong I was.
Historically, all AFL-owned VFL sides have finished near the bottom in their maiden years. Yet what has occurred in the Footscray Football Club in the past 20 weeks has been remarkable.
It is something I have been searching for as a player and person.
Contrary to all predictions, the sons of the west are sitting second on the ladder and on the verge of playing finals.
The camaraderie formed in such a short time is something I’ve never before experienced – and a lot of that is due to the VFL boys.
We’re really looking forward to the next five weeks and the finals. Hopefully, we can bring some silverware to the club.
This year has exceeded all my expectations and rekindled my love of the game.
VFL or not, I have loved playing footy with a great bunch of blokes this year.
BULLDOGS IN FOCUS
THE PLAYERS
Tom Liberatore | Keeper of the kennel
Tory Dickson | Fatherhood and football
Jason Tutt | My best moment so far
Mitchell Honeychurch | My first six months
Jordan Roughead | Still living the dream
Tom Campbell | Heartbeat of the West
PETER GORDON
