A three-goal run in the final term to the Box Hill Hawks has denied the Footscray Bulldogs a winning start to their season, with the ‘Scray going down by two points in a thrilling, see-sawing encounter at Victoria University Whitten Oval.
After leading at the final change by just four points on the back of a six goal to three third term, the Bulldogs kicked the first goal of the final term through first year player Patrick Lipinski to stretch their advantage to 10 points.
It was then that the Hawks went on a three goal run to surge to the lead at the halfway stage of the final term, kicking clear to a 14-point lead inside the final five minutes.
The Bulldogs closed the margin again quickly with goals to Dalgleish and Lipinski – his fourth of the match – before the siren called time on Footscray’s hopes of a come from behind victory.
Along with Lipinski, first year forward Fergus Greene was the Club’s only additional multiple goalkicker, slotting three for the game and proving a dynamic, mid-sized option inside the forward 50m.
Honeychurch provided plenty of grunt around the contest, and was a driving force in the midfield.
Daniel worked his way into the game, and some crafty touches helped the Bulldogs opened the game up from stoppage, while Biggs provide his customary run off half-back.
Rookie Nathan Mullenger-McHugh’s hardness around the contest and tackle pressure was noticeable, while Tim English showcased the agility and poise that made him last year’s draft class’ most sought after ruck prospect.
It was Box Hill that drew first blood on the scoreboard early in the game with consecutive goals to Sam Switkowski and Cousins, before Bailey Williams responded with Footscray’s first.
Lipinski hit the scoreboard next, helping the Bulldogs edge in front with his first goal of the day, after a strong tackle caught his opponent dead in his tracks, holding the ball, in the Dogs’ goal square.
The Hawks kicked the last two goals of the opening term, to take a 10 point lead to the first change.
Crameri got the Bulldogs off to the ideal start in the second, his crumb and left foot snap narrowing the margin to four points, kicking into a slight breeze at the Geelong Rd end.
Webb saw the Bulldogs edge in front again with a neat left foot finish, giving the Bulldogs the first two goals of the second term against the breeze.
Both sides exchanged majors through the term, before the Hawks kicked the last three to lead by 17 points at half time as the wind seemed to settle.
The Hawks started the second half with the first goal inside 60 seconds, with Nick Evans finishing the swift work of the Box Hill midfield, before the Bulldogs kicked six of the next seven goals of the game.
The Hawks snuck through a red time goal, to narrow the margin to less than a kick at the final change.
Footscray will face western suburbs rival Werribee next Saturday evening at Victoria University Whitten Oval, with the first bounce scheduled for 5pm.
FOOTSCRAY 2.3 5.5 11.8 14.9 (93)
BOX HILL: 4.1 8.4 11.4 15.5 (95)
BEST: L. Webb, C. Daniel, B. Williams, M. Honeychurch, P. Lipinski, F. Greene.
GOALS: P. Lipinski 4, F. Greene 3, L. Dalgleish, B. Williams, L. Webb, S. Crameri, C. Daniel, J. Foster, M. Honeychurch
