Footscray are now 1-2 on the season after going down by four points in a thrilling contest at Victoria Park to Collingwood.
The winless Magpies started the game in red-hot form, kicking the first six-goals of the game to take a 37-point lead into the first break.
Despite losing defender Michael Fogarty early in the second term to a corked hip, the young Dogs managed to steady the ship but a pair of late Magpie goals saw the visitors still trailing by 34-points at half time.
The Footscray fightback began with two quick goals from Toby McLean, including a mercurial shot from the boundary in front of the Bob Rose Stand, reminiscent of those slotted by a young Peter Daicos back in the suburban venue’s heyday.
Led by Shane Biggs, Lachie Hunter and Brent Prismall, the Dogs slammed on eight goals to three in a pulsating third quarter to get within striking distance at the final break.
The Dogs grabbed their first lead of the game eight minutes into the final term through Meyrick Buchanan’s second goal, but a determined Magpie outfit were able to hold on by four points in the end, despite a relentless Bulldog challenge.
Footscray coach Ashley Hansen said the nature of the loss was a good lesson for his young side:
“It’s about learning for our guys. And learning that – what they do in a first quarter when they are under pressure and the heat’s on.
“What can they go back to within the game, what can we teach them, what tools can we give them. They’ll learn from that.”
Skipper Jordan Russell again led from the front, with Jarrad Grant also influential, but it was the development of the younger Dogs that buoyed Hansen.
“Bailey Dale was really dangerous in that forward half of the ground, reads the ball really well, good finisher – can play wing or forward, so really happy with Bailey’s progress at the moment.
“Toby Mclean is really coming into his own too. Really dangerous, he’s certainly got some tricks.”
Footscray have the bye next weekend but are back at Victoria University Whitten Oval on Saturday, 16 May to take on Geelong.
Footscray Bulldogs 0.1 4.5 12.8 14.12 (96)
Collingwood Magpies 6.2 10.3 13.3 16.4 (100)
Goals: Redpath 3, Dale 2, Hunter 2, Grant 2, Buchanan 2, McLean 2, Hayes
Best: S. Biggs, L. Hunter, B. Prismall, B. Dale, J. Grant, J. Redpath
