Footscray has high expectations on and off the field ahead of 2019 VFL season

Balancing VFL and AFL player development with a goal of returning to VFL finals will make new Footscray coach Daniel Giansiracusa a very busy man in 2019.

Toby McLean and Daniel Giansiracusa chat before the 2016 AFL Grand Final. Picture: Mark Stewart

Footscray hopes to balance developing its VFL and AFL talent with its goal of returning to VFL finals in 2019.

The Bulldogs missed out on September action by a single game last year after losing the final game of the home-and-away season.

However, the club had success on AFL Draft night with best-and-fairest winner Will Hayes earning a place on the Western Bulldogs’ list.

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Now under a new coach, 265-game AFL favourite son Daniel Giansiracusa, the Bulldogs have high expectations on and off the field.

“We expect to go extremely well,” Giansiracusa said.

“We’re about developing both our AFL and VFL listed players. We believe in a successful and winning culture and I’m pretty confident we’ve provided a program for our players to excel in.”

Anthony Scott in action for Old Trinity. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Ryan Gardner in action for Geelong’s VFL team.

Footscray has added former AFL players Ryan Gardner (Geelong) and Nathan Drummond (Richmond) in the off-season as well as Port Melbourne premiership defender Dillon Viojo-Rainbow.

Giansiracusa hopes a connection with VAFA Premier A premiers St Kevin’s pays dividends with Sam Barnett, Lachlan Farrugia, Gerard Gleeson and Billy Kanakis jumping on board while praising Anthony Scott’s arrival from Old Trinity.

“I’ve got a pretty strong connection and friendship with Tom Williams, who won the premiership at St Kevin’s, so I got some inside info,” he said.

“Anthony Scott has been extremely impressive so far. I think if he develops the way he has been during pre-season and the practice games, he’d be a handy addition to any AFL list.”

The Dogs have impressed in pre-season practice matches, getting the better of reigning premiers Box Hill, Sandringham, Werribee and Williamstown.

While Drummond is expected to miss the start of the season with a hamstring injury, Giansiracusa is pleased with how the team is shaping up.

New Footscray coach Daniel Giansiracusa.

“We’re tracking pretty well,” he said.

“Our form has been pretty good. From a coaching point of view I’m pretty happy.”

After several years as an assistant coach under Luke Beveridge at the Western Bulldogs — including the 2016 premiership season — Giansiracusa was handed the reins at Footscray as Steve Grace moved into an AFL coaching role.

“I’m just trying to grow as a coach,” he said.

“One of my philosophies is to continue to put yourself in situations where you’re going to continue to learn.

“There’s a management element to it I’m really enjoying. Challenges that you don’t get — from a conversations point of view — as an assistant coach. That’s what I came in looking to get.

“I’m looking forward to the feedback the game gives me in terms of the coaches’ box, messaging and all those sorts of things. Time will tell how I handle all those things.”

The Bulldogs VFL season begins with a Friday night clash against Sandringham at Whitten Oval on April 5.

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