THE Footscray Bulldogs have added a VFL flag to their minor premiership, eventually outlasting the Southport Sharks in a Grand Final of wild swings at IKON Park.

The 14.5 (89) to 11.13 (79) victory at IKON Park secured the Bulldogs’ third VFL flag in the past 11 years, with club legend Tony Liberatore handing over the cup to coach Stewart Edge and skipper Dan Orgill.

The Bulldogs got off to a blistering start, kicking the first six goals of the match, but momentum swung enormously with each quarter and the Sharks seemed to have the wind at their backs when they levelled proceedings early in the fourth quarter.

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As the rain poured down early in the third, Southport produced its absolute best and kicked the only four goals of the quarter to reduce the margin to six points at the last change.

06:00

VFL GF | Match Highlights

The Bulldogs and Sharks clash in the Grand Final.

The Sharks then levelled the scores when Hewago Oea slotted his second goal in the third minute of the final term.

With the cup seeming slipping out of its grip, Footscray fought back to wrench the premiership back to Mission Whitten Oval.

Billy Crofts sharked a loose ball from a boundary throw-in and converted to restore the lead, before a Jedd Busslinger miracle set shot from deep in the pocket and another goal to Crofts shortly after pushed the margin out to 18 points midway through the quarter.

Despite the stack of AFL talent in Footscray’s line-up, it was Cooper Craig-Peters who proved to be the hero for the Bulldogs.

The Team of the Year representative was the awarded the Norm Goss Medal for a tenacious midfield performance that included 28 disposals, eight tackles and a goal.

02:11

Cooper Craig-Peters | "Felt like time was standing still"

The Norm Goss medallist reflects on Footscray's premiership victory.

He set the tone early, picking up seven disposals (six contested), three inside-50s, two tackles and kicking a goal within the opening 13 minutes.

Anthony Scott (28 disposals, two goals) backed up his best on ground performance in the preliminary final with another huge effort, while Billy Crofts (22 disposals, two goals) and Oskar Baker (14 disposals, seven tackles) were also instrumental.

Adam Treloar made an electric start and had 10 disposals in the opening term to get the Bulldogs off to a flyer. He wasn’t as damaging thereafter but still finished with 26 disposals and six tackles to claim his first premiership medal.

02:52

Adam Treloar | "It clearly means a lot to me"

Adam Treloar reflects on the first Grand Final win of his career.

FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS     6.1   10.3   10.4    14.5 (89)

SOUTHPORT SHARKS         1.3   4.4   8.10    11.13 (79)

GOALS

Footscray: Scott 2, Lewis 2, Dolan 2, Crofts 2, Poulter, Orgill, Croft, Craig-Peters, Busslinger, Baker
Southport: Woodcock 3, Oea 2, Foot 2, Buzza 2, Gore, Dixon

BEST

Footscray: Cooper Craig-Peters, Billy Crofts, Anthony Scott, Liam Jones, Oskar Baker, Daniel Orgill
Southport: Boyd Woodcock, Jacob Dawson, Jesse Joyce, Zac Foot, Hewago Oea

Crowd: 8,818 at IKON Park.

NORM GOSS MEDAL VOTING

Jennie Loughnan (AFL Head of State Leagues)
3. Cooper Craig-Peters (Footscray)
2. Boyd Woodcock (Southport)
1. Anthony Scott (Footscray)

Paul Amy (CODE Sports)
3. Cooper Craig-Peters (Footscray)
2. Anthony Scott (Footscray)
1. Boyd Woodcock (Southport)

Chris Johnson (Seven Network)
3. Cooper Craig-Peters (Footscray)
2. Billy Crofts (Footscray)
1. Oskar Baker (Footscray)

Harvey Hooper (Port Melbourne captain)
3. Cooper Craig-Peters (Footscray)
2. Boyd Woodcock (Southport)
1. Billy Crofts (Footscray)

Total
12 - Cooper Craig-Peters (Footscray Bulldogs)
5 - Boyd Woodcock (Southport Sharks)
3 - Billy Crofts (Footscray Bulldogs)
3 - Anthony Scott (Footscray Bulldogs)
1 - Oskar Baker (Footscray Bulldogs)