A strong Footscray Bulldogs outfit recorded an 88-point win in its first VFL practice match for 2020, against Williamstown at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday.
The Bulldogs fielded 13 AFL-listed players against an inexperienced Seagulls line-up, and after a scratchy start pulled away with 14 goals to one after quarter time.
Midfielders Callum Porter and Ed Richards were dominant, with draftee Cody Weightman impressing up forward with three majors.
Billy Gowers also slotted three goals, with Richards and Darcy Cassar chiming in with two each.
“It was the first time the VFL group’s come together this year, so that was the best part about it,” VFL head coach Daniel Giansiracusa said.
“It was a great opportunity to get some game time into our AFL-listed guys, and we played some less experienced VFL-listed guys, apart from a couple coming back from injury like Nathan Drummond and Nick Jamieson.
“We were scratchy early and a bit fumbly, but after quarter time the game looked exactly how we wanted to – played in our half.
“Guys like Cody Weightman, Ed Richards and Cal Porter were probably the ones who were fairly consistent throughout the whole day, with everyone else having an impact at times as well.”
Jordon Sweet had a big influence in the ruck, while Ryan Gardner and Buku Khamis were both solid in defence.
Nayef Hamad and Gerard Gleeson were among the standout VFL-listed performers.
The Bulldogs’ next pre-season hit-out will on Friday 20 March against Collingwood at 4.30pm – also at VU Whitten Oval – ahead of the AFL side’s season opener against Magpies at Marvel Stadium.
FOOTSCRAY 2.5 8.7 10.13 16.16 (112)
WILLIAMSTOWN 2.2 3.2 3.5 3.6 (24)
Goals: Weightman 3, Gowers 3, Richards 2, Cassar 2, Cavarra, Porter, Greene, Jamieson, Dawson, Boyd
Best: Porter, Richards, Gardner, Weightman, Sweet, Khamis, Hamad, Gleeson
