A second term purple patch proved the difference as Western Bulldogs recorded their first intra-club win over Footscray, running out 37 point victors at Victoria University Whitten Oval.
The Footscray Bulldogs were aided by a three-goal wind and were quick to pounce with successive goals in the first term, opening up and eleven point lead at the first break.
The Western Bulldogs set the tone in the second quarter, led by Jake Stringer who was a class above the rest. The 2012 recruit found two goals in quick succession, the most impressive from outside the 50m arc.
Higgins and Bob Murphy gelled together well across the back half and provided slick ball movement and rebound and former captain Matthew Boyd showed an ability to find the big sticks, kicking two goals for the quarter.
The intensity lifted in the second half with Footscray unwilling to roll over to their more experienced counterparts.
Liam Jones towered over his opponent early in the quarter to take a strong grab and finish with a goal, as he looks to find confidence ahead of season proper.
The VFL side worked hard to return the ball to their forward line, and Josh Prudden showed he could step up when pressure was mounting, floating forward of centre to produce the first goal for his side since the opening term.
The Western Bulldogs regained momentum, thanks to Mitch Wallis, after being rewarded for his grunt work, and kicking a goal and both Lin Jong and Jason Tutt were lively for Footscray in the second half, working hard for their possessions and linking up through the midfield.
Clay Smith was a standout for the VFL team, after returning from an ACL injury that restricted him to the sidelines since July last year, but it wasn’t enough as the Western Bulldogs ran out 37 point winners.
Western Bulldogs 10.4.64 to Footscray Bulldogs 4.3.27
Goals
Western Bulldogs: Stringer 2, Boyd 2, Dahlhaus, Wallis, Jones, Johannisen, Giansiracusa, Cordy
Footscray Bulldogs: Finco, Roberts, Prudden, Barry
