A determined Footscray side have bounced back onto the winners list with a resounding 98-point win over Sandringham on Saturday night at Victoria University Whitten Oval.
Steve Grace’s side lead at every break, limiting the visitors to just one goal in the second half.
The Bulldogs had eleven individual goal kickers and an even across the field.
Mitch Honeychurch proved a tough match-up for the visitors, as the Footscray midfielder amassed 33 touches and led the team with four goals.
Toby McLean and Lukas Webb were also big contributors through the midfield for Footscray, collecting 36 disposals each, with McLean highlighting his pressure game with ten tackles.
Declan Hamilton was another key contributor kicking three goals from his 21 touches.
Tom Liberatore finished the game with 24 disposals, including eight kicks, 16 handballs and six tackles, while Travis Cloke provided a strong option forward of centre, contributing six inside 50’s, and kicking two majors of his own.
Footscray came out with a determination to return to the winners list after two losses, kicking three goals within the first nine minutes of the game, keeping the Zebras to just the one point. The ‘Scray continued to make the most of the blustery conditions kicking another two goals for the quarter, however missed some opportunities which could have seen the early margin extend further.
Honeychurch was influential around the ball early, collecting 10 first quarter disposals, including three kicks and seven handballs.
The Zebras managed to get on the scoreboard early in the second term, kicking their first two goals, before Footscray put their foot down with four straight goals to extend their advantage to 49-points at the mid stage of the second term.
Sandringham did their best to work their way back into the game scoring another two goals to bring the margin back in to 39-points at the main break
Lukas Webb was a big contributor in the second quarter with 10 touches and a goal for the term, while Toby McLean racked up 9 touches and a goal of his own.
Footscray dialled up the pressure again in the third term in an impressive defensive display, keeping the Zebras scoreless for the quarter.
Dominating possession, the Bulldogs had 22-4 inside 50s for the quarter for 16 shots on goal, and ended the third quarter with a convincing 85-point lead.
Kicking against the wind in the final quarter didn’t seem to faze the Dogs, charging home to kick four goals to one to establish their match winning 98-point lead.
Footscray will have an opportunity to rest and recover next weekend with a bye, and will return to face Essendon on Friday 9 June at 7:00pm at Victoria University Whitten Oval.
Footscray Bulldogs 5.10 (40) 9.13 (67) 15.23 (113) 19.23 (137)
Sandringham 0.3 (3) 4.4 (28) 4.4 (28) 5.9 (39)
Disposals: T. McLean 36, L. Webb 36, M. Honeychurch 33, M. Goodyear 31, T. Liberatore 24, J. Russell 24, D. Hamilton 21, B. Gowers 19
Goalkickers: M. Honeychurch 4, L. Webb 3, D.Hamilton 3, T.Cloke 2, T. Tweedie, L. Young, F. Greene, T. Campbell, W. Hayes, B. Gowers, T. McLean.
Best Players: M. Honeychurch, T. McLean, M. Goodyear, L. Webb, F. Roberts, Z. Cordy
