Completing the perfect finals weekend for the Bulldogs, Footscray have secured a VFL Preliminary Final berth after a stunning come-from-behind win over Essendon at North Port Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Trailing by 18-points at the final change, the Bulldogs piled on six goals to one in the final quarter to emerge 19-point victors in a spirited fight-back.
After bowing out of the VFL finals last year in an identical fixture, the Bulldogs were not to be denied 12 months on, in a gutsy performance in front of the packed, parochial terraces of the inner-suburban Port Melbourne venue.
Following a quiet opening three quarters, Mitch Hannan caught alight in the final term to kick three goals and help send the ‘Scray on their way to a match-up with Collingwood in next weekend’s VFL Preliminary Final.
While the damage was done on the scoreboard, it was the defensive work of captain Jordan Russell, Fletcher Roberts and Anthony Barry that invariably set-up the victory.
Staunch under pressure, the trio amassed intercept possessions, and helped launch the Dogs into attack from defence when the game was in the balance.
PHOTO GALLERY: All the best action images from Footscray's win.
Mitch Honeychurch, Jed Adcock and Liam Nash were industrious in the midfield, while Nick Jamieson proved an important link player cross half forward, kicking two goals of his own for the match.
Following a finely balanced opening half that saw the ‘Scray enter the main break with a five point advantage, the Bombers dominated proceedings in the third quarter to stretch the lead to three goals.
Essendon held sway across the ground, creating 23-6 inside 50m entries, and lead the contested possessions count 40-19 for the quarter.
The Bombers were however left to rue missed chances, kicking 4.7 for the term.
Essendon kicked the first two goals of the quarter, to go with two unanswered goals kicked late in the second term, swinging momentum well in their favour.
Nick Jamieson steadied the Footscray ship to kick one of his two goals for the day, reducing the margin back to one kick, before the Bombers added the last two goals of the term.
The final term saw a complete turnaround of fortunes, as the Bulldogs swung the tide, finding the outside run that had eluded them in the third quarter.
With 16-4 scoring shots in the final term, the rampaging Bulldogs finished full of running and confidence, to which the Bombers had no answers.
“It’s a massive victory for the boys and they certainly deserve it,” coach Ashley Hansen said post match.
“We’ve been in this position before which has really obviously helped set us up for what we had to combat and what we had to do in the last quarter”
“I have complete faith in this group, and am really proud of what they’ve achieved this year, and once again they’ve stood up when it mattered.”
With the game played at a frenetic pace early, with both teams showing nerves with ball in hand, it was some hands in the back of Tom Campbell from Bombers defender Jack Crawford that handed the Bulldogs their first goal from point blank range.
Consecutive goals to Dale and Hamilton saw the Dogs skip out to a 19-point lead, before the Bombers matched the effort with two of their own.
A mark and goal from Jamieson on the quarter time siren saw the Bulldogs take a 13-point advantage into the first break.
Hrovat and Honeychurch were industrious around the ball early with 10 disposals each, while Brad Lynch playing off half back had also had 10 touches to the first change.
The Dogs had the run of play through the first term, dominating the uncontested ball count while breaking even inside the contest.
The second term started with a run of play to the Bombers end, with a barrage of forward 50m entries. Their inaccuracy hurt them, converting only 1.4 from shots on goal, before the Bulldogs scored through Bailey Dale against the run of play.
Dale kicked three opening half goals and looked the most lively option forward of centre for much of the day.
The Bulldogs will now reset for a Preliminary Final match-up against Collingwood next Saturday at North Port Oval, with the first bounce scheduled for 2:40pm.
Playing each other just once in the home and away season, Footscray will enter the match with confidence, after securing bragging rights and a 33-point victory over the Magpies at Victoria University Whitten Oval in Round 21.
Final Scores:
Footscray Bulldogs 4.3 6.5 7.7 13.16 (94)
Essendon 2.2 5.6 9.13 10.15 (75)
GOALS: Mitch Hannan 3, Bailey Dale 3, Nick Jamieson 2, Declan Hamilton, Tom Campbell, Jordan Staley, Nathan Hrovat, Ben Long
BEST : Jordan Russell, Jed Adcock, Liam Nash, Nick Jamieson, Fletcher Roberts, Mitch Honeychurch.
