Footscray Bulldogs have defeated the Sandringham Zebras by 40-points at Simonds Stadium.
Marcus Bontempelli and Jack Redpath kicked four goals apiece as the Bulldogs overran the previously undefeated Zebras on a Saturday afternoon in Geelong.
With his long reach and evasive movement, Bontempelli created havoc for Sandringham defenders in the game’s early stages. The rangy midfielder kicked three goals within five minutes of the opening bounce.
The Bulldogs raced to a 23-point lead at the eight minute mark of the first term after Ayce Cordy kicked Footscray’s fourth major.
From that point, the first term tightened. Sandringham began to work their way into the match through midfielders Sam Dunell and Seb Ross, eventually goaling through Darren Minchington before Jack Redpath kicked a steadying major for Footscray.
With a four-goal quarter-time lead, the Bulldogs were determined to punish their opponents further.
Footscray booted five unanswered goals at the beginning of the second term in response to Sandringham’s late-first term challenge.
This hot streak included three consecutive set shot goals from Koby Stevens, who nabbed his first thanks to a sensational flying grab 40m out from goal.
Bontempelli’s fourth major provided another highlight. Facing three Sandringham defenders at the top of the goalsquare, the youngster knocked a high ball goal-side of the contest, then roved his own tap and dribbled the goal.
Sandringham eventually hit back through James Munro, gallant all day, before two Clay Smith goals stretched the Footscray lead to 59 points in the shadows of half time.
But the Zebras refused to yield, kicking two quick goals of their own to finish a shootout second quarter.
Sandringham continued its rejuvenation after half time, goaling early in the third thanks to captain Adam Cockie.
While Redpath and Smith continued their strong performances to register goals in reply, Sandringham’s Kenny Ong was perhaps the quarter’s standout player. The tough-nut’s physical presence became a rallying point for the Zebras and he was duly rewarded with two goals.
The Bulldogs kept up their own intensity throughout the quarter and by the start fourth term, it was too late for Sandringham to mount a successful comeback.
When Nathan Hrovat goaled from long range minutes into the final change, Footscray led by 67 points.
However, the Zebras exploited the tiring Bulldogs to kick five of the game’s last six goals.
At the final siren, the Bulldogs stood victorious by 40 points.
Aside from the highlights of Bontempelli and solid efforts from Smith and Stevens, Mitch Wallis excelled in a defensive midfield role, tackling with ferocity and locking down opponents.
Lin Jong was a standout in defence throughout the match, holding dangerous Zebras forward Trent Dennis-Lane goalless.
Footscray Coach Chris Maple commended his players after the match.
“We let them [Sandringham] have a little bit of a comeback there in the last quarter but [we were] fantastic early”, he said.
“It was a really good development game for our players… I just loved the way our guys went about their business today”.
Footscray has three wins and three losses with a bye this week.
SCORES
Footscray 5.2 12.4 17.7 19.8 (122)
Sandringham 1.2 4.5 7.6 12.10 (82)
GOALS:
Footscray: Bontempelli 4, Redpath 4, Smith 3, Stevens 3, Campbell, Cordy, Darley, Honeychurch, Hrovat
Sandringham: Munro 3, Cockie 2, Ong 2, Dunell, Lee, Markworth, Minchington, Savage
BEST
Footscray: Bontempelli, Jong, Wallis, Stevens, Austin, Honeychurch, Redpath, Smith
Sandringham: Dunell, Munro, Cockie, Ong, Murdoch
