Western Bulldogs captain Matthew Boyd today wished VFL affiliate Williamstown luck ahead of the inaugural Foxtel Cup Grand Final against 2010 WAFL runner-up Claremont Tigers this Saturday at Paterson’s stadium.

Coached by former North Melbourne midfielder and current Bulldogs development coach Peter German, Williamstown defeated 2010 WAFL premiers Swan Districts, SANFL club West Adelaide and WAFL powerhouse East Perth on their way to the first-ever Foxtel Cup Grand Final.

Boyd, the AFL’s leading possession getter this season said the new knock-out style competition was a great platform for developing players to showcase their skills on the big stage and in front of many AFL club scouts.

“Playing in the Foxtel Cup allows young players, many of whom aspire to be on a list and some who already are, the opportunity to impress on national TV and against quality opposition.”

14 players from the Foxtel Cup competition have been invited to attend the 2011 AFL Draft Combine and will be tested against some of the country’s best young talent in hope of being drafted to an AFL club.

Boyd said the Foxtel Cup also allowed AFL listed players the chance to experience the demands of interstate travel in professional sport and had praise for some of his teammates who have played in the new competition.

“Guys like Luke Dahlhaus and Liam Jones played in the earlier rounds of the competition and got the chance to play interstate and to their credit are now regular senior players,” Boyd said.

Following the success of the Foxtel Cup, the AFL today confirmed the sudden-death style competition will continue for at least the next five years.

The match will be broadcast live on FOX SPORTS 1 at 5.00pm AEST.