A-League newcomers Western United will look to shore up their status as a "team of the west" by linking with a club from another code who also claim that title, the Western Bulldogs.

Western United will play their Australia Day home game against Adelaide United at the Whitten Oval in the heart of Melbourne's inner west, Footscray, at the Bulldogs' training venue.

The referees lead out the teams for Western United's recent match in Ballarat against Wellington. Credit:Getty Images

It will be the third AFL ground (after GMHBA Stadium in Geelong and and Mars Stadium in Ballarat) that United have used to host a home game.

But the club are hoping that a link to the popular AFL side will lift their profile, encourage casual fans to come along and build their brand in the western suburbs region they are looking to make their own.