The Bulldogs have had a couple of recent victories against Geelong, but by and large encounters with the Cats have been unhappy affairs for the Dogs over the past few decades.
One memorable exception came on this day in 1985. Footscray had kicked off the season with two wins and were looking for a 3-0 start to the season, something the club had not achieved since 1961.
Geelong had a strong line-up, headed by Gary Ablett, and featuring Greg Williams, Mark 'Jacko' Jackson and Neville Bruns among others. The Cats would be no easy beats and the Bulldogs would have their work cut out for them if they were to break a 24-year drought.
Adding to the intrigue was unseasonably hot weather. On a bright and sunny day in mid-Autumn, the temperature peaked at 33.8°C, almost unheard of at that time of year.
For three quarters the two sides put on magnificent display of dry weather footy. 'Diesel' Williams was giving the Cats plenty of drive from the middle and Dancin' Dougie Hawkins was doing the same for the Dogs on his famous wing.
As the players paused for breath and much-needed fluids at the last break, the Dogs led by 14 points, 15.10.100 to 13.8.86.
It was by no means a match-winning lead in such a high-scoring affair. The big question was, which team would be able to survive another quarter of the energy-sapping heat?
The answer came early in the final term. A long, searing kick, aided by a hot northerly breeze, from Steve Wallis found the chest of Les Bamblett, who kicked truly. That sparked an explosion of Footscray goals. Bamblett's was the first of 11 that the Dogs would kick for the term, the Cats replying with only three of their own.
When the final siren sounded, the Bulldogs had amassed a score of 26.14.170, their highest since breaking the VFL record score with 33.15.213 seven years earlier. Geelong finished up on 16.9.105, Footscray the victors by a massive 65 points.
While Ablett kicked four goals for the Cats, Bulldog spearhead Simon Beasley stole the show, kicking seven.
Doug Hawkins (30 possessions) dominated the outer side of the ground, ably supported by Steve MacPherson, who picked up 20 touches and kicked four goals.
Interestingly, while Hawkins was listed as the Dogs' best in the following week's Football Record, he failed to poll a Brownlow vote. MacPherson picked up one, Geelong's Williams (who had 39 disposals) collected two and the three votes went to ex-Bomber Tony Buhagiar, playing his third game for Footscray.
Buhagiar's 19 possessions and two goals were certainly important, but it's arguable that he had a better game than Hawkins. Perhaps Dougie had a little too much to say to the umpires that day!
The Bulldogs' best start to a season in more than two decades had a little hiccup against Melbourne the following week, but in Round 5, the Dogs thrashed reigning premiers Essendon to claim top spot on the ladder.
1985 was looking like a very good year.
