VFL 2018: Footscray’s team balance hampered by Western Bulldogs AFL injury list

THE Western Bulldogs’ horror injury run has had a significant impact on its VFL side as the 2016 premier fights to stay alive in the flag race.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 05: William Hayes of Footscray in action during the round five VFL match between Footscray and Richmond at Whitten Oval on May 5, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Media/Getty Images)

THE Western Bulldogs’ horror injury run has had a significant impact on its VFL side as the 2016 premier fights to stay alive in the flag race.

Footscray had 15 VFL-listed players in its line-up against Williamstown in Round 16, underlining its struggles.

AFL-listed Luke Dahlhaus, Tom Liberatore, Lukas Webb, Liam Picken and Bailey Dale will miss the remainder of the season, while Tom Campbell, Tory Dickson, Jack Redpath, Matt Suckling, Easton Wood and Bailey Williams are also on the sick-list.

The injuries have robbed the VFL Dogs of continuity and affected team balance, which goes some way to explaining their inconsistency.

Will Hayes has been one of Footscray’s standout performers in 2018. Picture: Getty Images

“At times we’ve had a large amount of talls,” coach Steve Grace said.

“The spread of AFL blokes we’re getting are generally key backs and talls in other positions.

“Some weeks we’ve had seven or eight players over 195-196cm. Other weeks we’ve had no midfielders, so that has been the challenge with the mid(field) depth.”

Consecutive defeats against Box Hill Hawks, Casey Demons and Williamstown have left Footscray outside of the top eight with four games remaining in the home-and-away campaign.

It had the bye at the weekend and will finish the regular season with matches against Frankston, North Melbourne, Essendon and Port Melbourne.

Despite the Dogs’ patchy form, all fixtures are winnable.

They are yet to play Frankston this year, but have a 2-1 record against the remaining sides.

“It’s in our hands and we’ve got to earn the right to contend, so we can’t look too far ahead,” Grace said.

Will Hayes, Fletcher Roberts and Lewis Young have been Footscray’s most consistent contributors this season.

The Dogs will face Frankston at Whitten Oval on Saturday.