Footscray has returned to the winners’ list, putting together a dominant performance to win by 54 points against the Northern Blues at Ikon Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Bulldogs led at every change, and burned away from the Blues after the quarter time break.
A dominant second term gave the Bulldogs a 33-point lead going into half time – however, it could have been even greater.
The visitors had 16 scoring shots to one for the term – kicking 4.12.
However, it mattered for little in the scheme of the result, as the Bulldogs fought off a Blues’ comeback in the third term, before booting seven final-term majors to ice the game.
Taylor Duryea was instrumental in his first match for two months, slotting in seamlessly across half-back.
The experienced defender had a team-high 24 disposals and kicked a goal to be arguably best afield for the Bulldogs in a strong team performance.
Josh Schache had an impact around the ground, collecting 16 disposals and eight marks to go with two goals, as did Ed Richards with 15 disposals and disposals.
VFL-listed players Anthony Scott (22 disposals, two goals) and Josh Wallis (20 disposals) found plenty of the footy, while Reuben William was moved forward and kicked three goals.
Rhylee West also impressed with 15 disposals and two goals, while Ben Cavarra slotted two majors in his return from injury.
The win sees the Bulldogs jump back into the top four midway through the round, with six wins and a draw from their nine matches in 2019.
MATCH DETAILS
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS 3.5 7.17 10.18 17.19 (121)
NORTHERN BLUES 3.2 4.2 8.4 10.7 (67)
GOALS
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS: William 3, Cavarra 2, Schache 2, Scott 2, Sweet 2, West 2, Duryea, Hayes, Prudden, Sullivan
NORTHERN BLUES: Owies 4, J. Silvagni 3, Fasolo, Lobbe, Dwyer
BEST
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS: Duryea, Scott, Schache, Prudden, Richards, J. Wallis
NORTHERN BLUES: Owies, Cottrell, J. Silvagni, Kennedy, Lang, Goddard
