Excitement is building at Point Cook with the club on the verge of its debut match in the Western Region Football League division 2.
The Bulldogs will face Manor Lakes at Saltwater Reserve on Saturday in their first game since moving their senior teams from the Victorian Amateur Football Association to the WRFL.
Bulldogs coach Ian Denny said the move to the western suburbs competition was overwhelmingly supported by the club members.
“Everyone is on board,” he said.
In past seasons, the Bulldogs have mainly travelled over the West Gate Bridge for matches – and their only true derby rivalry was with Westbourne Grammarians. That will all change for the Bulldogs in the WRFL.
“The players are looking forward to playing locally,” Denny said. “They’re playing against people they know or people they’ve heard of.
“Rivalries will be built and it will be healthy for the western region.”
Will Point Cook be competitive from day one? You better believe it.
The Bulldogs have been aggressive in their recruitment and their promising youngsters are a year older and ready to go up a level.
The first move Denny made was to bring in Wayde Skipper – a ruckman only three years removed from being the competition’s most valuable player. To complement Skipper, he brought in North Footscray best-and-fairest winner Sean Curtis and one-time division 2 league best-and-fairest Jessi Lampi.
Other key additions include midfielder Joel Reynolds, half-back/midfielder Nathan Bratby, forward Todd Caulfield and key defender Nick Weir.
“We think we’ve built a list this year that we feel will be competitive,” Denny said.
“That mix, with our youth at the club, will hopefully work out well.”
Three-time club best-and-fairest Mason Kip has been re-appointed captain, while Marcus Groves will be vice-captain.
Hoppers Crossing will venture to St Albans for the traditional season opener between the two clubs in division 1.
Wyndhamvale will be looking to cause an upset when it faces Spotswood on the road, while Werribee Districts are away to last year’s runners-up, Sunshine Kangaroos.
In division 3, Wyndham Suns play Tarneit, while Glen Orden will makes its comeback to senior football against Point Cook Centrals.
