The Footscray Bulldogs continued their recent run of good form, powering to a 146-point victory over the North Ballarat Roosters on Sunday at Victoria University Whitten Oval.
In a dominant performance, the ‘Scray led from start to finish, the Roosters only registering their first major of the day six minutes into the second quarter and their second, 11 minutes into the third. By that stage, the lead had blown out to 79 points and the Bulldogs’ ascendancy was clear right across the ground.
Coach Ashley Hansen described his team’s performance as ‘clinical’.
“It was the way they stuck to our structures for four quarters and the way they played the Bulldogs style of football.
“They could have gone away from that but they certainly executed, played for one another, shared the football and stuck to their task and their role, so I was really proud of them.”
Lukas Webb was Footscray’s best, controlling the midfield all day with 33 disposals and three goals.
Nathan Hrovat and Jack Macrae were also impressive with 30 and 29 touches respectively, Macrae filling up the stat sheet with 11 tackles and a goal.
Jack Redpath worked hard all day and was rewarded with five goals, four of them coming in the second half and Toby McLean had one of his best days in the red, white and blue as well, kicking five of his own while gathering an important 21 touches.
Jared Grant was active, kicking three first half goals and Tom Campbell’s performance in the ruck in the second half was nothing short of dominant.
The Bulldogs had winners all across the ground and Hansen acknowledged picking his team’s best was going to be a challenge.
“We had so many winners across the board and some great contributors. It’s going to be a hard one to dissect but it’s a great position to be in.”
Hansen was particularly impressed with the way his chargers’ kept their foot on the pedal despite holding a big lead for the majority of the match.
He saw it as an important step forward in his team’s maturation process.
“They physically tried to intimidate us and certainly attack the scoreboard and try to win the last quarter,” Hansen said.
The way the guys stayed united and didn’t deviate from their role really shows a mental toughness, resilience and attitude.”
Ruckman Will Minson was reported late in the second quarter for making contact with an umpire and took no further part in the match.
Footscray travel to Frankston next Sunday to take on the Dolphins.
Footscray Bulldogs 5.7 11.11 17.14 27.17 (179)
North Ballarat 0.0 1.1 3.3 5.3 (33)
Goals: Redpath, Mclean 5, Grant, Webb 3, Hrovat, Pearce, Hayes 2, Hamilton, Macrae, Greenwood, Campbell, Russell, Buchannan.
Best: Webb, Macrae, Campbell, Mclean, Hamilton, Redpath
