The Footscray Bulldogs have all-but locked in top-two position and a home final after defeating the Coburg Lions by 35 points at VU Whitten Oval in the final VFL home and away round on Saturday afternoon.

Led by Bailey Williams (32 disposals) and Billy Gowers (three goals), Footscray overcame an early deficit, controlling the match after quarter time to notch its eighth straight win. 

After the Lions kicked the first seven majors of the match, the ‘Scray charged back on the back of Gowers’ three majors for the second term.

At the main break it was a one-point ball game, and the Bulldogs booted seven goals to three in the second half to secure the four points.

Defender Bailey Williams was superb across half back, taking seven marks and laying three tackles, with Callum Porter (25 disposals, seven tackles) and Josh Wallis (24 disposals, two goals) prolific in the midfield.

Small forward Ben Cavarra became a destructive force in the second half, applying intense pressure to finish with six tackles and two crucial goals, as well as gathering 18 disposals.

Yet again, Lukas Webb was able to step up in the final moments, managing to boot two massive last quarter goals to extend the lead and solidify the victory.

Footscray is likely to play Williamstown in the first week of the finals at VU Whitten Oval.  Match details will be finalised in the coming days.

MATCH DETAILS:

Coburg: 7.4          7.4          9.4          10.6        (66)

Footscray:           1.3          6.11        8.15        13.23     (101)

GOALS:

Coburg: McEvoy 2, Stroobants 2, Binion, Cannolo, Corigliano, Lowson, Murphy, Podhajski

Footscray: Gowers 3, Cavarra 2, Wallis 2, Webb 2, Boyd, Gleeson, Roberts, Scott

BEST:

Footscray: Williams, Gowers, Porter, Wallis, Webb, Scott.