A game of huge momentum swings and ebbs and flows produced a thrilling contest under lights at VU Whitten Oval on Friday, as Footscray secured back-to-back wins with a five-point victory over Geelong.
A dominant second quarter gave the Dogs a handy lead at the main change, before a complete reversal from Geelong ensured the game went down to the wire, as Footscray managed to hold on 8.11 (59) to 7.12 (54) victors.
Plenty of pressure and high-quality ball use from both sides littered the first term in what was a hot contest, with Nayef Hamad finding Joel Garner with a clever ball inside to open the game’s scoring.
A Josh Schache snap out of congestion stopped a run of Geelong goals that gave the away side a 14-point lead at the first break.
The score line was a result of efficiency moving forward, with the red, white, and blue maintaining possession and applying strong defensive pressure.
They were able to provide polish to that pressure and possession with a rampant second quarter which resulted in a blistering 33-point turnaround.
Schache’s influence was immense nailing a pair of big set shots, as was Jason Johannisen’s whose goal and goal assist spring-boarded the Footscray forward foray.
As Geelong stopped the bleeding after a fifth Bulldogs goal 11 minutes in, the defence of the ‘Scray ensured no scoreboard pressure was applied the other way - restricting the Cats to just two points while keeping all the momentum with a 19-point lead at the main change.
Geelong managed to reverse that momentum, nailing four goals straight at what seemed to be the scoring Geelong Road end.
With three points separating the sides at the final change, it was game on from there.
Schache put Footscray fans at ease early in the final term with an incredible finish from a set shot, which ultimately proved to be the lone goal in a tense final quarter.
That clutch goal was Schache’s fifth, who enjoyed one of his best games in the red, white, and blue.
He amassed 18 disposals, nine marks, and five clearances to go with his ruck assistance duties, proving to be a versatile option with his mobility and work rate.
The primary ruck for the game was the returning Jordon Sweet who won the ruck contest with 36 hit outs, 12 disposals, and four tackles, with Joel Garner (16 disposals, six clearances, six tackles, one goal) the biggest beneficiary of his dominance to continue his reliably solid contributions.
The Bulldog defence looked staunch for so much of the game, with Hayden Crozier leading from the front with 28 disposals and 12 marks, while Bailey Van de Heuvel (19 disposals, 10 marks) enjoyed a return to form.
Cody Raak and Charlie Parker were also vital in the Footscray pressure in the defensive half and equally in the rebounding play, as Josh Kellett made some important plays in the final term.
Louis Butler worked to get to contest after contest and found the footy 25 times to go with a goal and five tackles, as did the ever-reliable skipper Lachie Sullivan (22 disposals, six tackles, three clearances).
Footscray will return to Friday night footy after next week’s bye to try and make it three on the trot when they take on Carlton at IKON Park on Friday 17 June at 7:35pm.
MATCH DETAILS
Footscray 2.1 7.6 7.8 8.11 (59)
Geelong 4.3 4.5 7.11 7.12 (54)
Goals: Schache 5, Garner, Johannisen, Butler
