WESTERN Bulldogs’ push into Ballarat will get a helping hand from its VFL arm.
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Reigning VFL premier Footscray Bulldogs will have a pre-season hit-out against North Ballarat Roosters at Eureka Stadium on Saturday, March 28.
Roosters football manager Marg Richards said while the Bulldogs approached North Ballarat , they had already been on the Roosters’ radar for a practice game in Ballarat.
The match will wrap up a big month in Ballarat for the Western Bulldogs.
They have a community camp on March 4-5 and play Melbourne in a NAB Challenge match at Eureka Stadium on Saturday, March 14.
The Footscray clash will be one of three practice games for the Selkirk Roosters.
They will play Coburg first-up at Craigieburn on March 22 and then, after Footscray, meet Collingwood at the Magpies’ Victoria Park base on April 11.
The Coburg fixture will be the first formal match for the Roosters’ new backline coach Leigh Hutchinson.
He replaces Shaune Moloney, who has stepped down owing to family and work commitments.
Hutchinson joins Orren Stephenson as a first-year member of the coaching panel under Gerard FitzGerald.
Stephenson has filled a vacancy left by Shane Snibson, who is now coaching Sebastopol in the Ballarat Football League, as midfield coach.
Paul Jennings will look after the role when Stephenson is playing for the Roosters.
Marc Greig will continue as forward coach.
The Roosters resumed pre-season training this week.