Footscray will face Southport in this weekend’s Victorian Football League decider after a dominant performance in Saturday’s preliminary final.
The Bulldogs outgunned Box Hill Hawks at Whitten Oval, prevailing by 31 points, 16.12 (108)-11.11 (77).
The minor premier established a 14-point advantage at quarter-time and extended it to four goals at the main break.
The second half was a tighter affair, but the Bulldogs managed to outscore their opponents to move one step closer to adding to their VFL flags from 2014 and 2016.
Anthony Scott was outstanding for Footscray, racking up 37 possessions and seven tackles, while Adam Treloar had 31 touches and Jedd Busslinger 30.
William Lewis helped himself to five goals in a season-best performance to take his 2025 tally to 38 from 18 matches.
Zac Walker contributed four majors, while Joshua Dolan and Cooper Hynes finished with two apiece.
Josh Kellett, Billy Crofts and Nicholas Coffield were also influential in the victory.
Footscray and Southport are yet to face each other this season, with the Sharks contesting their second consecutive grand final after last year’s defeat to Werribee.
The Bulldogs will enter the season finale in red-hot form, having won their past 13 matches with their last loss coming against Williamstown in May.
They finished the regular season as minor premiers with a 15-3 win-loss record.
Perennial contenders Southport finished third with a 13-1-4 record and cruised to an 88-point win over Frankston on Saturday.
The grand final will be staged at Ikon Park on Sunday from 2.15pm.
