For the second time in two weeks, the Footscray Bulldogs have played out a thrilling contest on the road, this time going down to the Zebras by three-points at Trevor Barker Oval.
 
With a top four spot up for grabs, Footscray needed a start strong against the Paul Hudson led Zebras, and with a forward line boasting Redpath, Crameri and Cordy, they had firepower to do it.
 
Crameri started well, gathering ten first quarter possessions but it was Jack Redpath’s five goal, eleven mark haul, often against multiple opponents that kept Footscray in the contest right up until the dying seconds of the match.
 
An even and entertaining first half saw the Dogs with their noses in front at the main break, but the Zebras came out firing on all cylinders in third, kicking the first five of the quarter, Footscray not troubling the scorers until the 28 minute mark.
 
Despite the Zebra dominance of the third, led by Clint Jones who finished the match with 38 touches and 18 tackles, the lead was just 16 and the stage was set for a barnstorming finish.
 
Jack Redpath’s fifth goal of the day 18 minutes into the last quarter cut the lead to ten points and Caleb Daniel’s was quick to follow with a one of his own, the margin just four points before the Zebra’s snatched one back.
 
The final ten minutes was tough, intense VFL football at it’s best, neither side willing to cede the match to the other without a fight.  
 
A mark and goal from outside 50 from Jordan Russell at the 33 minute mark again had the Dogs within four and the big crowd on the edge of their collective seats.
 
Footscray had one more roll of the dice but it wasn’t to be, the final margin three points.
 
Coach Ashley Hansen was left ruing missed opportunities across the afternoon but couldn’t fault the effort of his team.
 
“I can’t question the character of the group and the fight that they produced.  To go deep into the last and still be in a winning position was terrific.
 
“But it’s a great learning curve for our young group; to understand the fundamentals of the game, and how the game is one of inches.
 
“Every set up is crucial and that was proven towards the end of the game.”
 
Jack Redpath was Footscray’s best but Hansen reserved praise for the midfield brigade of Daniel, Hrovat and Honeychurch.
 
“I thought Caleb, Rat and Honeychurch were probably the three that really worked throughout the course of the day and tried to influence and will themselves into the contest when we needed it.
 
“All of them are pretty proud footballers that try to get the best out of themselves each week which as a coach is pleasing because it’s really hard to coach effort.”
 
Footscray return to Victoria University Whitten Oval next Saturday to take on the Northern Blues.
 
 
Footscray              2.3      8.5   9.5     15.8     (98)
Sandringham        2.5      6.8   11.9   15.11 (101)
 
Goals: Redpath, 5, Jamieson, Darley 2, Daniel, Honeychurch, Hunter, Hamilton, Austin, Cordy.
 
Best: Redpath, Hrovat, Daniel, Honeychurch, Biggs, Jamieson