Footscray has claimed its inaugural VFL premiership, defeating Melbourne by 51 points at the MCG.

While the Dees won the coin toss and subsequently kicked the first score of the day, it was all the ‘Scray after that, prevailing 15.12 (102) to 7.9 (51).

A six-goal-to-one opening term set up Footscray with a handy 29-point lead heading into quarter-time, with star forward Jack Collins booting three himself.

Collins continued to shine in the second, adding his fourth at the start of the quarter before Melbourne responded to cut the deficit back to 17 points.

The Bulldogs’ backline – led by EJ Whitten, Dave Bryden and Herb Henderson held firm however, with captain-coach Charlie Sutton converting from a free kick on the eve of the half-time siren to extend their lead to 23 points.

Footscray continued its dominance after the main break, with Ron Stockman slotting truly before setting up Sutton’s second.

Now up by 35 points, Melbourne again hit back with two of their own.

But it didn’t take long for the Bulldogs to respond through Collins and Sutton, taking a 38-point buffer into the final quarter.

The Dees desperately moved the magnets in an attempt to quell Footscray’s influence heading into the last, and while it worked briefly, it was again the Dogs’ defence – led by Wally Donald – who successfully repelled the Dees’ attack.

A Doug Reynolds’ pearler was sandwiched between Collins’ sixth and seventh goals, stretching the Dogs’ lead out to an unattainable 51 points by the final siren.

Collins’ bag of seven saw him named among the best on ground, alongside John Kerr, Whitten and Bryden.

Match Details

Footscray: 6.3 8.5 12.9 15.12 (102)
Melbourne: 1.4 4.6 6.7 7.9 (51) 

Goals: Collins 7, Sutton 3, Kerr, Stevens, Duffy, Reynolds, Stockman

Best: Kerr, Bryden, Collins, Whitten, Ross, Reynolds

For further information on the match, please click here.