A total four-quarter dominance at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday afternoon saw the Footscray Bulldogs record the highest winning margin of the VFL season, as they rampaged their way to a 123-point victory over Coburg.
Strength and experience returned to the Footscray outfit, as the red, white, and blue ran away 24.14 (158) to 5.5 (35) victors.
It was as good a start as you could ask for in the first quarter, as Footscray kicked a landslide six unanswered goals while a bolstered and experienced defence kept Coburg scoreless.
The damage began further up the ground with twice as many clearances resulting in three times as many inside 50s.
The Bulldogs' forwards capitalised on their chances to score from nine of those entries, finding marking targets and applying relentless pressure, as five individual goal scorers graced the scoreboard.
Possession was maintained around the ground with almost double the disposal count and a whopping 40 marks, but it would not stop there for the ‘Scray.
Josh Schache joined the party with his first of four goals for the quarter coming a minute into the action.
Coburg looked to control their ball movement in the second quarter to stop the bleeding, but the Footscray defence remained relentless in the contest to restrict the Lions to just six more inside 50s.
While they managed to find the goals, Footscray piled on their exact first quarter score to lead 78-7 at half-time.
The Bulldogs cracked the ton in the third quarter on the back of four unanswered goals which included back-to-back goals from the mercurial Stef Martin.
The difference was 92 points at the final change, and not being ones to put the cue in the rack, the Bulldogs partied on mercilessly in the final quarter.
They piled on another seven goals to record the highest winning margin of the season (123 points) and the second highest score with 158.
Contributions came thick and fast all over the ground with Footscray boasting 10 individual goal scorers, eight of which enjoyed multiple goals.
The impact of the return of Robbie McComb was immediately noticeable, with he and fellow bull Lachie Sullivan pairing prolifically in the engine room.
McComb had 31 disposals, 10 marks, four clearances, and a goal, while Sullivan had 32 disposals and 10 clearances.
Schache added a further three goals to finish with seven majors, 23 disposals and nine marks, while Lachie Hunter ended with three goals from his 30 disposals and seven clearances.
The twin-tower pairing of Martin and Jordon Sweet proved unstoppable again, with Martin wreaking havoc all over the ground with 28 disposals, eight clearances, and those two third-quarter goals.
Meanwhile Sweet started up forward after his game-turning display last week, kicking the first goal of the game as he looks to have added another string to his bow.
Ewan Macpherson enjoyed one of his better games of the year looking dangerous around goal early, finishing with 29 disposals, five clearances, and two goals.
Roarke Smith was also impressive flying high for marks, kicking two goals.
Often outshined in big wins like this is the defensive unit, but the experienced defence was instrumental in halting and repelling early Coburg attacks.
With Sam Darcy and Alex Keath returning to the AFL outfit, the returns of Hayden Crozier, Mitch Hannan, and Buku Khamis buoyed the defence, while Taylor Duryea was busy early in his second game back from injury.
A bye next week will see the Bulldogs finish the season in Blacktown against the Giants on Saturday 20 August at 12:05pm.
MATCH DETAILS
Footscray 6.3 12.6 17.12 24.14 (158)
Coburg 0.0 1.1 3.4 5.5 (35)
Goals: Schache 7, Hunter 3, Martin 2, Hunt 2, Smith 2, Cormack 2, Macpherson 2, Sweet 2, McComb, Jones.
