In the first season of their stand-alone VFL team, the Footscray Bulldogs will host the likes of Richmond, Northern Blues and Essendon at a ground once feared by rivals.

Bulldogs chief executive Simon Garlick said he expected supporters to embrace the team.

''We see this as a great opportunity for the Bulldogs community to help re-establish the Victoria University Whitten Oval as the home of footy in Melbourne's west while at the same time seeing first-hand the development of our future stars,'' he said.

''Having home games here against some of our traditional foes in Essendon, Richmond, Carlton and Hawthorn will also give our Bulldogs faithful, young and old, glimpses into some of the great clashes we've had here in years past.''

The Dogs, under coach Chris Maple, will host the Tigers in the season opener, with the VFL fixture to be unveiled on Tuesday.