Western Bulldogs midfielder Riley Garcia has quickly put his name in the AFL selection mix at Whitten Oval after a dominant return to the field on Friday night for Footscray.

The 24-year-old made his first appearance of the season against Frankston in the Bulldogs' 17-point victory, having undergone knee surgery after suffering a setback in the pre-season.

After months of rehabilitation, Garcia was cleared to return this week, taking on the Dolphins at Frankston Oval.

Having been a standout for Footscray during last year's VFL campaign, Garcia was immediately back to his ball-winning best on Friday night, amassing 39 disposals, 11 clearances, eight inside 50s, seven intercept possessions and seven score involvements in the victory.

It's a performance that will quickly have Garcia in the mind of senior coach Luke Beveridge as part of the selection consideration for the club's home stretch of the AFL season.

Garcia was prolific at VFL level in 2024 but only managed the 12 appearances at the top level and fell out of favour ahead of the Dogs' finals series.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Riley Garcia of the Bulldogs takes possession of the ball during the 2023 VFL Semi Final match between the Box Hill Hawks and the Footscray Bulldogs at Box Hill City Oval on September 09, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Riley Garcia of the Bulldogs takes possession of the ball during the 2023 VFL Semi Final match between the Box Hill Hawks and the Footscray Bulldogs at Box Hill City Oval on September 09, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Midfield opportunities will again be hard to come by this year however, with the Dogs unearthing Ed Richards as one of the game's best while Matt Kennedy has been a fruitful recruit since crossing from Carlton.

Young defender Jedd Busslinger also put his name forward for a recall, recording 27 disposals, eight intercept possessions and eight marks.

Wing pairing Caleb Poulter and Harvey Gallagher booted three goals each, with the latter also managing 21 disposals, nine contested possessions and four tackles in the win.

Mid-Season Draft recruit Michael Sellwood played his first VFL game for the Bulldogs since moving from Western Australia, recording 20 disposals, 11 intercept possessions and five marks to look at ease in his new colours.

Western Bulldogs Mid-Season Draft recruit Michael Sellwood in his new colours (image via Western Bulldogs FC)
Western Bulldogs Mid-Season Draft recruit Michael Sellwood in his new colours (image via Western Bulldogs FC)

Sellwood, a medium-sized defender, could soon place pressure on senior selection at the Kennel as the clean distributor and intercept option who could form a lethal partnership with All-Australian Bailey Dale.

Footscray's latest win has placed them on 28 premiership points ahead of the remaining Round 12 action, positioning them in fourth on the ladder for the time being.

The Dogs' reserves face fellow finals hopeful Richmond next Sunday at Marvel Stadium - a match that will act as a curtain-raiser to the AFL clash between the two clubs later that afternoon.