Western Bulldogs excitement machine Arthur Jones takes off against Essendon in their practice match at The Hangar on February 23, 2022. He will make his VFL debut on Friday. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images via AFL Photos

MINOR Premier Footscray has named a strong team as it looks to extend its winning streak to 11 and its home-and-away streak to 19 when it hosts Sydney in the Smithy’s VFL season opener at Victoria University Whitten Oval on Friday afternoon.

The Bulldogs will have 13 AFL-listed players in their 23, a list that includes key midfielders Mitch Wallis, Rhylee West and VFL best-and-fairest winner Robbie McComb, ruckmen Stefan Martin and Jordan Sweet and key forward Josh Schache.

Key off-season signing Tim O’Brien will line up at centre half-forward as he makes his way back from a hamstring injury, while Bulldogs fans can also get their first look at draftees Arthur Jones and Luke Cleary.

Bailey Williams was named at full-back but was called into action as the Western Bulldogs' medical sub against Carlton on Thursday night.

>> Check out the VFL fixture and watch FREE, LIVE streams of every game 

But the Swans also have plenty of firepower in their team, with 16 AFL-listers named for the trip south headed by their own big men in Peter Ladhams, Callum Sinclair and Joel Amartey, best-and-fairest winner Lewis Taylor and fellow ball magnet Ryan Clarke, a back line including Robbie Fox, Colin O’Riordan, Will Gould and Lewis Melican, plus draftees Corey Warner, Lachie Rankin and Matthew Roberts.

Carlton's Ben Crocker will look to terrorise the Brisbane Lions again at Ikon Park on Friday after kicking seven goals against them in Round 2 last year. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos

Carlton will welcome the Brisbane Lions to Ikon Park just half an hour later, with the Blues’ team featuring 12 AFL listers including prized draft pick Jesse Motlop, key defenders Lachie Plowman and Bulldogs recruit Lewis Young, former Saint Jack Newnes and last year’s first pick Brodie Kemp, plus star VFL-listed players Ben Crocker, Will Hayes and Ned Cahill, while Patrick Cripps’ brother Josh will debut.

The Lions were blasted off Ikon Park with a 12-goal first quarter in Round 2 last year and will hope to overturn that result with a team featuring 16 AFL-listed players including VFL star pre-season recruit Mitch Cox, who has been named on the wing, early draft picks Darcy Wilmot and Kai Lohmann, the barometer Rhys Mathieson, key forward Wylie Buzza, defenders Ryan Lester and Jack Payne and rover Deven Robertson.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A PDF OF FRIDAY'S TEAMS

All Smithy’s VFL matches in 2022 except the Channel 7 game can be livestreamed through the below website or the VFL app. 

Twitter: @BRhodesVFL

FOOTSCRAY v SYDNEY

Friday, March 25, 4.35pm @ VU Whitten Oval
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 4.20pm)

Prediction: Footscray by 15 

CARLTON v BRISBANE LIONS

Friday, March 25, 5.05pm @ Ikon Park
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 4.50pm)

Prediction: Carlton by 22

Brendan Rhodes’ winners: Last Round: 0. Season: 0.

 All Smithy’s VFL matches in 2022 can be viewed live and free. The VFL Match of the Round will be screened each week on Channel 7, with all other matches to be livestreamed via vfl.com.au and the AFL Live Official App. Radio stations Casey Radio, 3WBC and RPPFM will also again be broadcasting regular matches.

To access live scores, results, ladder, stats and to link to live streams/replays, download the VFL/W Official App from the Apple or Google Play app stores.

Keep track of your Smithy’s VFL team via our VFL Match Centre, which features live scores, team and player stats, match timeline, events summary and Fantasy points. Check it out here (https://www.afl.com.au/vfl/fixture)