“It’s going to be fun.”

There’s a strong air of excitement around Mission Whitten Oval as Footscray VFL prepare for Sunday’s Grand Final against the Southport Sharks.

Both sides recorded comprehensive victories in their preliminary final clashes and will enter Sunday’s main event full of confidence.

Speaking on the team’s opportunity to secure another piece of silverware, VFL Senior Coach Stewart Edge shared the group’s overall excitement in the lead-up to the game.

“It’s only really after Saturday night that you feel like we’re a little bit better than last year based on the result of getting through,” Edge told Western Bulldogs Media.

“I think the guys seem really relaxed and we’re looking forward to it.”

It has been one of Footscray’s best seasons to date, finishing with a 13-game winning streak to top the VFL ladder as minor premiers.

Maintaining momentum throughout the season and finals period is something Edge sees as a key difference compared to previous years.

“I think we’ve been really solid,” he said.

“Our concentration piece - it’s boring terminology, but with the quirks of our fixture and coming off byes, and a start-stop season the way it is, quite often we’ve had difficult games off a break.

“That includes last weekend.

“The boys did well.”

This will be the first time Footscray face the Sharks since their heartbreaking preliminary final loss in 2024.

The Dogs were unable to overcome a well-oiled opposition, with the 10-point defeat marking their exit from the finals series.

However, rather than dwelling on the past, Edge is urging his team to focus on the opportunity ahead.

“There are only nine players who were part of that,” he said.

“They were just too good that day. Even though it was a narrow margin, we just couldn’t quite get it done.

“It was probably one to forget about rather than bring back as a relevant mark of what we need to do better.”

Named coach of the 2025 Smithy’s VFL Team of the Year earlier this week, Edge’s excitement is as high as his players’.

Having been part of the Dogs’ 2014 and 2016 premiership success, the senior coach knows that while it’s important to embrace the occasion, the team must stay focused, train strongly, and arrive ready to go on Sunday afternoon.

“I think it gets more exciting each time you get an opportunity like this,” he said.

“With the AFL program finished, we’ve got the opportunity for the group to train together.

“We’ll be together on Thursday afternoon and then a Captain’s Run on Saturday.”

Tickets for Sunday's Grand Final are now on sale. Fans are encouraged to pre-purchase tickets via this link.