MATCH DETAILS:

VFL Qualifying Final
Footscray v Frankston
Saturday 30 August, 12:35pm AEST
Mission Whitten Oval (Wurundjeri/Boon Wurrung)

Gate 1 (Barkly St) and Gate 2 (main reception) will be open from 11:30am AEST. Tickets are available for pre-purchase here.

Please note: from late Friday 29 August to 5am Monday 1 September, the West Gate Freeway outbound will be closed between Williamstown Road and Millers Road for major asphalting work. Significant delays of over 90 minutes are expected, so we encourage patrons to avoid the area if possible and seek alternative routes.

LAST MEETING:  

Frankston 12.13 (85) def. by Footscray 15.12 (102)
Round 12, 2025

The Footscray Bulldogs produced a hard-fought win, overpowering the Frankston Dolphins by 17 points at Kinetic Stadium. Relentless pressure and the ability to capitalise on turnovers proved decisive, allowing the Bulldogs to deliver a strong four-quarter performance away from home. After opening with a composed first half that set up a 28-point lead, the visitors surged in the third term, overwhelming the Dolphins by 38 points before sealing the contest with two final-quarter goals. 

Caleb Poulter and Harvey Gallagher provided the spark up forward, each finishing with three goals in standout displays. Gallagher added 23 disposals to underline his influence, while Poulter combined scoreboard impact with 14 touches. Cam Owen asserted himself in the ruck, finishing with 19 hitouts and a goal, while Daniel Orgill added 21 disposals and a major of his own. Luke Kennedy set the defensive tone with 22 disposals and eight tackles, while Oskar Baker drove the midfield with 28 touches, and Billy Crofts combined effort and toughness in a strong all-round performance of 21 disposals and seven tackles. Riley Garcia collected a game-high 39 disposals.

THE LINE-UP:

Click here for the latest team news.

WHO TO WATCH:

Will Lewis has steadily built a reputation as one of Footscray’s most reliable performers, piecing together a 2025 season defined by consistency and impact. The 26-year-old utility has kicked a goal in every game he has played this year, while averaging 10.1 disposals and 6.6 kicks. 

That dependability was on display in Round 12 against Frankston, where Lewis delivered a composed and efficient showing, finishing with two goals from nine disposals and nine kicks. With finals now on the horizon, his experience and versatility add another layer of value to the Bulldogs’ line-up, positioning him as a genuine threat to watch in the highly anticipated Qualifying Final. 

In tough and dynamic conditions at Mission Whitten Oval, the Footscray Bulldogs showcased an impressive display, overpowering the Frankston Dolphins 15.15 (105) to 3.7 (25) to clinch their spot in the preliminary final. 

The Bulldogs set the tone early, booting four goals to one in the first quarter, with Josh Dolan showing his skill by snapping one from the goal square.  

Their momentum continued into the second term, adding five more goals while restricting the Dolphins to just one, creating a strong buffer heading into half time. 

Footscray’s decisiveness was evident across all lines in the second half.  

The Dolphins were kept goalless in the third quarter, with Fred Valpied opening the scoring, and goals from Billy Crofts and Zac Walker extending the lead.  

The final term cemented an 80-point victory, as Walker kicked his fourth goal.

Up forward, Walker was the standout, booting four goals from 12 disposals and demonstrating composure and accuracy inside 50.  

Arty Jones contributed three goals from 22 disposals, consistently hitting targets, while Anthony Scott added two goals from 19 disposals, applying strong forward pressure.  

Valpied, Lachlan Smith, Caleb Poulter, Luca Muratore, Will Lewis and Dolan each contributed a goal, helping maintain the scoreboard momentum. 

In the midfield, Adam Treloar dominated with 35 disposals, driving the play through the middle. Michael Sellwood and Luke Kennedy provided strong support with 20 disposals each.

Cooper Hynes influenced play with 24 disposals and 13 marks, applying heavy defensive pressure, while Taylor Duryea and Liam Jones consistently impacted with 18 and 17 disposals respectively.

Crofts and Cooper Craig-Peters were pivotal around the ground, collecting 18 and 24 disposals respectively while combining strong marking with precise ball use.  

Nick Coffield added 19 disposals and seven tackles, contributing across both offensive and defensive phases, while Oskar Baker and Daniel Orgill supplied solid contributions to support the team’s overall structure. 

Footscray will now head into a break, eagerly awaiting their Preliminary Final matchup. 

Final score: 
Footscray Bulldogs: 4.6 9.7 12.13 15.15 (105) 
Frankston Dolphins: 1.1 2.2 2.5 3.7 (25) 

Goals: Walker 4, Jones (Arthur) 3, Scott 2, Smith, Poulter, Lewis, Muratore, Dolan.   

Coach's best: Walker, A. Jones, L. Jones, Craig-Peters, Treloar, L. Smith.