The Footscray Bulldogs have started their 2025 campaign with a dominant 126-point victory over the Northern Bullants under Saturday night lights.

The red, white and blue were clinical at home in a 21.15 (141) to 3.4 (22) goal frenzy at Mission Whitten Oval. 

It was a back-and-forth start for both sides, but the seven-point advantage at quarter time was the slight lead that the Bulldogs needed.  

Lachie Smith claimed the first goal for the season for the Doggies and finished with 17 disposals and 42 hit outs to his name.

 

Footscray flew in the air to win the marking contests while the Bullants got the upper hand on ground balls. A momentum shift was felt around the Kennel to give the Dogs the upper hand at the first break.

Seven unanswered goals in the second quarter sent the Dogs to the major break full of confidence which was then continued into the second half. They asserted their dominance early, going on a 15-goal run.

 

The hosts defended well, keeping the Bullants to one behind for the third quarter while continuing to make major changes on the scoreboard. 

Their efficiency with the ball made it difficult for the visitors to make any impact as Footscray stayed in control of the match. 

Near the end of the third quarter, Jordan Croft decided to kick it up a gear and slot three majors in a row following a hat trick from Luca in the first half.

It only took 35 seconds for Hargraves to kick his third major for the match which kickstarted another four-goal run for Footscray.

Cooper Craig-Peters (29 disposals, seven clearances, six tackles) carved up the midfield alongside newly appointed skipper Dan Orgill (29 disposals, five clearances) and draftee Luke Kennedy (29 disposals, six tackles, four clearances). 

Muratore, Croft and Diesel Moloney each finished with four goals apiece, while Chan Hargraves (14 disposals, three goals) and Phoenix Spicer (14 disposals, two goals) were lively.

The Dogs will look to continue their hot form post-bye as they take on the reigning premiers Werribee at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday 5 April at 1:05pm AEST.  

FOOTSCRAY 2.3 9.9 16.12 22.16 (148)

NORTHERN BULLANTS 1.2 2.3 2.4 3.4 (22)

GOALS: Muratore 4, Moloney 4, Croft 4, Hargraves 3, Spicer 2, L. Smith, C. Smith, Poulter, Lewis, Hynes.

FOOTSCRAY 2.3 9.9 16.12 22.16 (148)
NORTHERN BULLANTS 1.2 2.3 2.4 3.4 (22)

GOALS: Muratore 4, Moloney 4, Croft 4, Hargraves 3, Spicer 2, L. Smith, C. Smith, Poulter, Lewis, Hynes.