The Footscray Bulldogs are on a five-game winning streak after defeating the Frankston Dolphins by 70-points at Skybus Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It finished as a dominant display from the red, white and blue for the four quarters, but some missed opportunities in front of goal kept the Dolphins in reach until late in the game.
It was not until the final term when the Bulldogs booted nine goals to one to blow the lead out to 70 points.
Wearing 0 on his back, in support of the TAC’s Toward Zero Round, stand in skipper Josh Wallis was crucial through the midfield, kicking three final quarter majors to lead his team to the win.
Robbie McComb put in one of his best performances of the season, winning 21 disposals, laying six tackles and kicking a goal, and his pressure helped to dismantle any momentum the Dolphins tried to build early in the second half.
Billy Gowers was impressive with 17 disposals, eight marks, five tackles and two goals.
With the help of Lachlan Sullivan (22 disposals) and Will Hayes (16 disposals, five marks and a goal) in the midfield, the Dogs were able to hold the Dolphins to 24 inside 50s, compared to their 55 entries.
Lewis Young was resolute in defence, taking six marks and laying four tackles, working in tandem with Fletcher Roberts to keep Frankston to four goals for the second half.
Footscray sits third on the ladder heading into next week’s Saturday afternoon clash with the second-placed Essendon at VU Whitten Oval.
MATCH DETAILS:
Frankston 3.3 4.5 7.5 8.6 (54)
Footscray 4.2 6.5 10.9 19.10 (124)
GOALS:
Frankston: Fahey 2, Cox, Freeman, McCarthy, Miller, Rendell, Rich
Footscray: Wallis 3, Cavarra 2, Gleeson 2, Gowers 2, Sweet 2, Boyd, Hayes, Jong, Lynch, McComb, Smith, Webb, William
BEST:
Footscray: Sullivan, McComb, Webb, Gowers, Hayes