Footscray Bulldogs, in its first season as a standalone club in the Peter Jackson VFL, has reached the VFL Grand Final - the first time the club has played in a senior Grand Final since 1961. 

And, who’s waiting for the Bulldogs? Box Hill Hawks, the affiliate of Hawthorn, the club that inflicted a 43-point defeat on the Dogs in that 1961 Grand Final. 

Footscray’s sole premiership was record 60 years ago so understandably the Whitten Oval is alive with expectation. 

While Footscray did not finish on top of the ladder a compelling case could be made that no club played better in the past four months of the home and away season.

After dropping three of its first five games, Footscray has gone on a tear, winning 14 of its past 15 games, including spirited wins in the Qualifying Final against Williamstown and the Preliminary Final against Port Melbourne. 

Now, here’s the irony. Guess which club snapped that winning streak? Yes, that’s right Box Hill Hawks. 

The reigning VFL premiers edged out Footscray in a thriller back in Round 14, winning by seven points at Whitten Oval. 

It’s worth noting several aspects about that match. 

Firstly, Box Hill Hawks’ score of 15.6 was the highest any club has kicked against Footscray since Round 3 and until the Preliminary Final when Port Melbourne kicked 14.14. 

Included among the Bulldogs better players that match were Clay Smith and Shaun Higgins, neither of whom will play. 

Footscray had 15 AFL listed players in that match compared to Box Hill Hawks 11. The VFL Hawks had the services that match of David Hale, but Footscray won’t have to worry about him today. 

But, the Bulldogs will have to concern themselves with a Box Hill Hawks team that is likely to include as many as 18 AFL listed players. 

Box Hill Hawks boasted 15 AFL listed players when they defeated Williamstown in the Preliminary Final, but with aligned club Hawthorn playing in a Preliminary Final on the same weekend all fit Hawks are available for selection. 

What that means is that Ryan Schoenmakers and Matt Suckling, who did not play because of a knee injury in recent weeks, could come into the Box Hill Hawks team. 

And, then there’s the wild card of will Hawthorn give Cyril Rioli a run with Box Hill Hawks or will they play him in its Preliminary Final team in his first game back from injury? 

There is plenty for Footscray to digest there. 

Footscray fielded 18 listed Western Bulldogs players last week in its impressive come from behind win against Port Melbourne, including Matt Austin, Tom Campbell and Jason Johannisen who all played in the AFL in the past couple of months.

Campbell, who led the J J Liston Trophy count at the time he was called up to play for the Western Bulldogs, shapes as a pivotal player as he goes head-to-head with Ben McEvoy. 

McEvoy was instrumental in literally lifting Box Hill Hawks over the line against a gallant Williamstown late in the Preliminary Final. 

Both big men exert their influence not only at the stoppages, but also around the ground and their ability to kick goals makes them key players. 

Apart from the McEvoy/Campbell match up, both clubs have strong marking key position forwards, who have been dominant, especially during the finals. 

Box Hill Hawks have Sam Grimley, who shared the Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller medal for the leading goal kicker in the VFL. Grimley kicked four goals in the Qualifying Final and two in the Preliminary, but should have kicked more. 

Providing a great foil for Grimley is Luke Lowden, whose four goals against Williamstown, including a match winner from the boundary after applying a great tackle was inspirational. 

But, Footscray also have potential match winners in Liam Jones, Jack Redpath and Tory Dickson. And, Ayce Cordy is another big man who can prove dangerous near goals. 

Jones kicked four goals against Port Melbourne, Redpath three while Dickson kicked one but was involved in others. 

Certainly, the inclusion of Schoenmakers and Suckling will provide depth and, more importantly height to the defence, especially with Ayden Kennedy suffering what shaped as a season-ending knee injury late in the last quarter of the Preliminary Final. 

Footscray will rely on Austin and Michael Talia to combat Box Hill Hawks defence with Jordan Russell and Jason Johannisen to provide the run and carry from the back half. 

But, both defence’s task will hinge on the ability of the respective midfielders to win the clearance and limit the supply source. 

Not surprisingly, both midfields are powerful. Liston Trophy winners Mitch Hallahan, Alex Woodward and Ben Ross as well as Luke Andrews, Billy Hartung and Sam Illes can all roll through the midfield for the VFL Hawks. 

Footscray has the emerging Lin Jong, Mitch Honeychurch, Brett Goodes, Cameron Howard and Sam Darley that can be thrown into the midfield mix. 

As evidenced from their last encounter, coupled by the fact that when they did lose - Box Hill Hawks biggest losing margin from four home and away losses was 11-points and Footscray’s last two losses were by a combined nine points - the Grand Final is poised to be an epic. 

But, Footscray, which won the VFA premiership 90 years ago (in 1924) before joining the VFL, can celebrate its first season by bringing a flag back to the Whitten Oval.