The Footscray Bulldogs have fallen at the Preliminary Final stage of the VFL, going down to Southport Sharks by 10 points at Mission Whitten Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Despite a valiant final-quarter effort, the Dogs had too much ground to make up and fell short in a 7.9 (51) to 9.7 (61) defeat.

With unpredictable cold and wet weather throughout the day, both teams struggled to make the most of opportunities inside 50 during the opening term.

The Dogs dominated contested possession early but were unable to capitalise in front of goal, finishing the term with a single point.

With the advantage of the wind in the second term, Lachie McNeil, Daniel Orgill and Diesel Moloney hit the scoreboard for the Dogs.

However, it wasn’t enough for the boys in red, white and blue as the more efficient Sharks extended their lead despite playing against the conditions.

A similar story ensued after half-time as the visitors continued to thrive and piled on goals to further extend their lead.

The Dogs found some momentum and lifted the home support in the final term as goals from McNeil, Charlie Clarke and Joel Freijah brought Footscray back within arm’s reach of a Grand Final spot, but the Sharks held on.

Freijah played a solid match throughout, finishing as Footscray’s highest ball winner with 27 disposals and a goal, while McNeil and Clarke kicked two apiece.

Match Details

FOOTSCRAY: 0.1 3.5 4.6 7.9 (51)
SOUTHPORT SHARKS: 1.5 4.5 9.5 9.7 (61)

Goals: McNeil 2, Clarke 2, Moloney, Orgill, Freijah