A fast-finishing Footscray have fallen frustratingly short of Box Hill in their second practice match ahead of the 2026 VFL Season. 

On a humid afternoon at Mission Whitten Oval, the Dogs would feel the sting of early missed opportunities falling two-points short of the Hawks. 

It was a strong display from the Dogs AFL-listed talent of Harvey Gallagher, Laith Vandermeer and Jed Busslinger while Dan Orgill and Cooper Craig-Peters were standouts in the midfield. 

Quarter one: 

A slow start from Footscray as Box Hill dominated much of the play and made the most of their opportunities in front of goal.

The Hawks kicked the only three goals of the quarter, finding set opportunities within their attacking half.

On the other side, the Dogs began to find more cohesion as the quarter went on.

Harvey Gallagher was the standout in the first quarter, running hard to impact the play and providing a spark with a goal-saving tackle.

Footscray were unable to hit the scoreboard in a meaningful way, registering five behinds and trailing by 13 points at quarter time.

Quarter two: 

Footscray started to settle and play with more cohesion in the second term.

Gallagher continued with great intent, while Cooper Craig-Peters and Connor Smith started to have an impact around the contest.

Recent arrival Lachlan Carmichael showed why recruiters were so excited about him, with his dash and footy IQ on display off half-back throughout the second term.

At the other end of the ground, the Dogs were finally able to kick a goal when Will Darcy took a strong mark deep in the forward line and snapped true on his left.

Dan Orgill was also a powerhouse through the middle of the ground, while Will White made the most of his opportunities in red, white and blue, kicking a second to keep the Dogs in the game.

Despite a better showing, Footscray's inaccuracy continued to haunt them with Box Hill making the most of their chances to take a 17-point lead into the main break.

Quarter three: 

It was back to the grind for the third quarter as several of the Dogs' AFL-listed players were taken out of the game.

However, the home side took the challenge right up to the Hawks, gelling better throughout the term to find more consistent chains of play, freely linking from rebound to attack.

White and Orgill continued to impress across the ground, while Chan Hargraves and Harry Hewitt converted tough set shots to keep the Dogs in the game.

Unfortunately, despite Footscray's best efforts, Box Hill found a way to shut down any budding momentum shifts and took a 19-point lead into the final break.

Quarter four:

The Dogs looked a different team in the final term, playing with nothing to lose and taking most of the opportunities presented to them.

Once again, the likes of Craig-Peters and Orgill got busy around the contest giving the Dogs repeat forward-half entries and piling the pressure on the Hawks' defence.

Down back, Jedd Busslinger, Luke Cleary and Nick Coffield locked down on the opposition forwards, giving no easy possession and working systematically to clear when the ball did come in.

The result was a flurry of goals to the 'Scray with Luca Muratore, Will Lewis and Gallagher all getting on the board.

When Muratore kicked his second in quick succession, Footscray found themselves within just two points of the opposition.

Unfortunately, a six-goal-to-three final quarter wasn't enough to complete the fairytale comeback as an after-the-siren attempt drifted just wide, sailing out of bounds on the full. 

The VFL premiers will have another opportunity to sharpen their skills before defending their flag when they take on Carlton next Friday evening at IKON Park for another pre-season practice match.

MATCH SUMMARY

Footscray 0.5 2.8 4.9 10.11 (71)

Box Hill 3.0 6.1 8.4 11.7 (73) 

Footscray Goals: Muratore 2, White 2, Darcy, Hargraves, Hewitt, Lewis, Gallagher

Best(s): Gallagher, Orgill, Craig-Peters,