Footscray have continued their winning ways on Friday night defeating Essendon by four points, in a thrilling, see-sawing at Victoria University Whitten Oval.
Despite leading at the first two changes, Essendon bounced back in the third term to hit the front and lead by three points Footscray, before a three goals to two final term saw the home team fight back for a 10.13. (73) to 10.09. (69) victory.
Lukas Webb was the team’s leading ball winner on the night, finishing with 23 disposals, while Tom Liberatore had 21 touches including seven tackles and seven inside 50’s.
Mitch Honeychurch continued on with his strong state-league form with 19 touches, with Tom Campbell, Jordan Russell, Nick Jamieson and Bailey Williams all contributing 17 disposals in an even performance.
Zaine Cordy was the only multiple goal kicker for the night with two crucuial last quarter goals to his name.
In cool conditions at VU Whitten Oval Footscray burst out of the gates to kick five goals to two in the first term and take a 20-point advantage into quarter time.
The Dogs’ first goal of the night came through Patrick Lipinski, who made his return from a shoulder injury.
The two sides exchanged goals, before Footscray extended the margin out with the last three goals of the term through Campbell, Will Hayes and Alex Greenwood.
While the Bulldogs kicked the first goal of the second half, Essendon kicked three of the next four majors to narrow the margin to 13-points at the main break.
Mitch Honeychurch was industrious through the first half, collecting 12 disposals and creating chances in front of goal, while Nick Jamieson, returning from state team honours, and Webb amassed 23 touches between them.
Essendon built on their late second term momentum coming out of half time, applying the defensive pressure to keep Footscray goalless for the term, while kicking three goals of their own to take the lead at the final change.
Tom Liberatore got busy during the third term creating four inside 50’s, but the team were unable to convert that to goals, instead kicking five behinds for the quarter.
Both teams came out firing in the last term kicking an early goal each, with Dogs forced to show composure down back with some threatening Essendon forward entries. Trisitan Tweedie laid a critical tackle to stop a certain Essendon goal.
A late Zaine Cordy goal put the Bulldogs back in front late in the final term, before the Bulldogs’ defence, led by captain Jordan Russell, withstood a late Essendon barrage to hold that four-point margin to the siren.
Moving to Footscray will aim to continue their winning form when they come up against Casey Scorpions next Saturday Night at Casey Fields.
Footscray Bulldogs 5.4 (34) 7.5 (47) 7.10 (52) 10.13 (73)
Essendon 2.2 (14) 5.4 (34) 8.7 (55) 10.9 (69)
Best Players: L. Nash, T. Campbell, B. Williams, Z. Cordy, L. Webb, J. Russell
Goal Kickers: Z. Cordy 2, L. Webb, T. Campbell, J. Redpath, P. Lipinski, A. Greenwood, W. Hayes, F. Greene, B. Williams
Disposals: L. Webb 23, T. Liberatore 21, M. Honeychurch 19, T. Campbell 17, N. Jamieson 17, J. Russell 17, B. Williams 17, B. Gowers 16
