The Footscray Bulldogs have defeated the Bendigo Gold by 166 points in their fourth-round ANZAC Day encounter at Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo.

Jase Perkins and Jason Johannisen booted five and four goals respectively, as the Bulldogs prevailed 33.16 (214) to 7.6 (48).

Footscray menaced the Gold from the opening bounce. The Bulldogs bolted with nine first-quarter goals and followed up with eight majors in each of the second, third and fourth terms.

Clay Smith headed a long list of midfield contributors instrumental in the visitors’ fast start. The tough onballer was a standout as the Bulldogs gained the upper hand in clearances and hard ball gets.

Dominance in the contests coupled with hard running and slick ball movement allowed the Bulldogs to control the opening stanza.

Precision play by midfield speedsters Jason Johannisen, Jason Tutt and Alex Greenwood set up scoring chances inside-50. Jase Perkins was the main target early, kicking two first-term goals from five shots in the 9.4 to 1.1 quarter.

Bendigo rallied in the first five minutes of the second term, netting two goals courtesy of centre clearances and some undisciplined Footscray play.

The Gold looked more energetic as Jake Aarts and Alik Magin found their rhythm at the stoppages.

But the Bulldogs regained composure and lifted their intensity. Tom Williams and Fletcher Roberts, excellent throughout the game, steadied the Dogs inside defensive-50 while the midfield answered the Bendigo challenged with renewed pressure.

Footscray kicked eight of the quarter’s next nine goals, with ruckman Darcy Fort booting two spending time forward.

Despite holding an 81-point half-time lead, the Bulldogs refused to yield.

The third term saw the Dogs kick eight goals to one. Key forward Jack Redpath booted his third after a strong mark on the lead and Clay Smith nailed his second after a 30m check-side banana.

The fourth quarter provided consolidation for Footscray. With another eight goals, the visitors’ score passed 200 points midway through the term.

Relentless attack on the ball complemented by creative disposal and hard running led to countless scoring chances for the Bulldogs.

Conversely, Bendigo struggled to keep pace and seemed outnumbered all over the ground. Only in the second quarter’s opening stages did they exploit space and score easily.

Clay Smith was best afield with 35 disposals, nine tackles and 13 clearances to go with his three goals.

Speaking after the match, Footscray co-captain Lukas Markovic applauded his teammates’ efforts.

“The boys performed well right from the get-go. We made a big emphasis to start well,” he said.

“We lost a bit of composure in the first five minutes of the second quarter [and Bendigo] got a bit of a run on, so for us to wrestle that back, that was really pleasing as well. From there we were able to control the game… we had 23 contributors today and that was fantastic.”

With two wins and two losses, the Bulldogs next tackle North Ballarat at Eureka Stadium on Sunday 4^th May.

Score                                         Q1                           Q2                             Q3                              Q4                             

Bendigo                                   1.1                             4.4                             5.5                             7.6                         (48)

Footscray                                9.4                             17.7                          25.9                          33.16                       (214)

Goals

Bendigo: Downie 2, Aarts, Bryne, Heavyside, Stroobants, Toman

Footscray: Perkins 5, Johannisen 4, Elliot 3, Fort 3, Redpath 3, Smith 3, Finco 2, Markovic 2, Tutt 2, Cordy, Goodes, Greenwood, Jamieson, Jensen

Best

Bendigo: Pridgeon, Aarts, McFarlane, Toman, Magin

Footscray: Smith, Perkins, Goodes, Williams, Roberts, Johanissen, Tutt, Wallis