Footscray have suffered their heaviest defeat of the year, going down by 48-points to Coburg at Piranha Park on Saturday.
The Bulldogs, after a taking a nine point lead into the first change, were held scoreless in the second term by a suddenly rampant Lion’s outfit who defied the cold and muddy conditions to boot eight goals from 14 scoring shots and almost put the game out of reach at the half.
Footscray found a spark in Nathan Hrovat in the third term that gave the visitors some hope, but managed only four behinds in the last quarter as Coburg ran out big winners on a disappointing day for the Footscray faithful.
Coach Ashley Hansen said his team simply failed to bring the energy, intensity and intent required in the tough conditions.
“In this competition, you can’t pick and choose. In these type of conditions you have to go back to the basics and I’m sure our group, through their reviews next week, will understand that very clearly.”
Footscray had their chances, matching the home side on the inside 50 count, but struggled to convert on the scoreboard while a clinical Coburg repeatedly cashed in on what Hansen said was his side’s poor team defence.
A bright spot for the ‘Scray was the form of Zaine Cordy in his second game back from injury. The young defender picked up 17 disposals, six marks and single handedly prevented multiple Coburg goals.
“That was Zaine’s best game for the year under really trying conditions. It was a hard day for our defenders with the use Coburg had through the midfield but I thought Zaine took a significant step forward today,” Hansen said.
“He’s a competitor, he doesn’t like being beaten, doesn’t like losing and that stood out today.”
While Footscray didn’t have a lot of winners on the day, another who did have an impact was first year Bulldog, Tom Boyd.
Boyd started forward but it was his work in the middle that most pleased his coach.
“I thought he showed some good signs in the ruck where we were getting beaten.”
“He worked hard all day and at times showed us how good he can be in the role of an athletic, mobile ruckman.”
Mitch Honeychurch was one other Bulldog to win his position on the day, gathering 25 disposals and seven inside 50s.
Footscray return to Victoria University Whitten Oval next Sunday to take on Essendon.
Footscray 3.5 3.5 7.9 7.13 (55)
Coburg 2.2 10.8 11.8 15.13 (103)
Goals: Hrovat, Prismall, Goodes, Minson, Hamilton, Hayes, A. Cordy
Best: Z. Cordy, Honeychurch, Hrovat, Boyd, Goodes, Smith
