Locking down what the coach described as ‘boring’ fundamentals has helped the Footscray Bulldogs make an exciting start to their season, sitting undefeated at the top of the Smithy’s VFL ladder after 10 rounds.
Remarkably, the Dogs have won 20 of their past 21 outings – the single loss coming against the Box Hill Hawks in last year’s semi-final.
But it’s the average winning margin that illustrates what a dominant run it’s been, defeating their opposition by an average of 43.1 points across those 20 outings.
The Dogs have conceded more than 80 points only five times, while scoring triple-figures on 11 occasions.
It’s a clear illustration of the depth that the Bulldogs have to draw on, with the VFL team led by league standouts Trent Bianco, Cooper Craig-Peters and Ethan Hunt, combining with developing youngsters like Jedd Busslinger, Jordan Croft and Lachie Smith.
The Bulldogs have fielded four AFL debutants this season, largely off the back of solid VFL form – Charlie Clarke and Joel Freijah both realising that dream in recent weeks – while also helping key players such as Alex Keath, Anthony Scott and Ryan Gardner to build their match-fitness after injury layoffs.
Senior Bulldogs Caleb Daniel, Rory Lobb and Jack Macrae also featured at various points this year, highlighting the competitiveness for spots and depth of the senior list.
VFL coach Stewart Edge shared some insights with Channel 7’s Nigel Carmody earlier this season, when his side sat 5-0.
“We’ve come from a position with so much changeover – there was so much uncertainty that we really had to lock down some fundamentals that to be honest, has been pretty boring from a coaching point of view,” Edge said.
“We’ve emphasised all the key ingredients that are going to keep us in games, and so far that’s worked well.”
With nine games to go ahead of a four-week finals series, the Bulldogs sit two games clear at the top with a solid percentage of 138.8%.
While nothing is ever guaranteed in footy, their next six games will see them play only three current top-10 sides, and four finalists from last season.
Considering their form and momentum to date, that fixture will surely inspire plenty of confidence heading into the run home.
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