Footscray has fallen six points short to Collingwood on Friday evening at the MCG. 

Scores were level with just minutes left on the clock, before the Pies snapped truly to steal the win 10.16 (76) to 10.10 (70).

The Bulldogs, reverting back to the Footscray name to celebrate their 100th season in the VFL/AFL competition, came out of the blocks firing with the first three goals. 

08:08

AFL R2 | Match Highlights

The Bulldogs and Magpies clash in round two of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

Collingwood responded after the first break, marking the first lead change of the match, before the Dogs booted three of the next four to gain the upper hand once again. 

The second half was hotly contested, with both teams exchanging scores throughout a competitive third term. 

The Dogs conceded the first of the last quarter, but managed to arrest momentum back through Sam Darcy and Tom Liberatore - two famous bloodlines of the Club - to come within three points.

00:39

AFL R2 | Emerging Dog sends ‘G into frenzy

Young gun Joel Freijah electrifies the stadium with this thrilling goal bursting into the 50

Emerging youngster Joel Freijah kicked a stunner on the run halfway through the term to level scores once again, but unfortunately would be the Dogs' final major of the game. 

Darcy finished with four goals from 15 disposals, while stand-in skipper Tom Liberatore collected 34 disposals, nine clearances and seven inside 50s. 

Bailey Dale (31, nine intercepts, seven rebound 50s) was important in defence, while Ed Richards (27, five clearances, 644 metres gained) was impressive. 

Off-field, the Dogs celebrated a Club record home-and-away attendance with 78,027 filling the stands.

Footscray will look to bounce back against Carlton next Friday night at Marvel Stadium.

FOOTSCRAY              3.4      6.7      7.9      10.10 (70)
COLLINGWOOD        2.4      5.8      8.11    10.16 (76)

GOALS
Footscray: Darcy 4, McNeil, Vandermeer, Harmes, West, Liberatore, Freijah
Collingwood: Schultz 2, Hill 2, Sidebottom 2, McStay, Elliott, Houston, McCreery 

BEST
Footscray: Darcy, Liberatore, Richards, Dale, Kennedy, English
Collingwood: N.Daicos, Pendlebury, Schultz, Cameron, Lipinski, Howe

INJURIES
Footscray: Nil
Collingwood: McInnes (knee), Cox (head)

SUBSTITUTES
Footscray: Baker (replaced Jones at three-quarter time)
Collingwood: Long (replaced McInnes in the first quarter)

Crowd: 78,027 at the MCG