A six goal to two third term has helped setup the Footscray Bulldogs’ fourth win of the year, posting a convincing 34-point victory over Coburg on Saturday afternoon at Piranha Park.

With the Dogs’ advantage extending out to as much as 62 points early in the final term, four last red-time goals helped Coburg add some respect to the scoreboard.

In what was a heated battle around the football, it was the Bulldogs that showed greater poise on the outside to capitalize on the likes of Wallis and Lower's work at the stoppages.

Playing off a wing, Jason Johannisen provided some eye-catching dash through the middle of the ground, while Christian Howard controlled play across half-back with some clever touches and precision kicking.

Footscray had 11 individual goal kickers for the game, with Jack Redpath bagging four majors and Jarrad Grant kicking three in his second VFL match returning from injury.

Providing a hit-up up target for the Bulldogs across half forward, Grant worked his way steadily into the contest. A series of deft touches and quick handballs the catalyst behind some of Footscray’s fast forward flourishes.

When the Bulldogs got on top for sustained periods in the game, it was their work defensively that was the driver.

Restricting their opponents to just six goals across the opening three quarters, it was their work to deny Coburg’s access to the corridor that stood out.

Repeat stoppages and hard-running by the midfield group to get back in support of their defence stymied Coburg’s attempts to get quick ball inside 50m.

Jordan Russell and Tom Young shared responsibilities as spares behind the ball, and were the launching pad for Footscray's offensive transition from defensive 50m.

Footscray were quick out of the blocks in the opening term, kicking the first two goals of the game through Russell and Redpath, before Jonathan Proud hit back for the home side.

A straight snap from Mitch Honeychurch, a sharp crumbing goal from Johannisen and a follow-up set-shot major from Redpath helped stretch the Dogs out to a 19-point lead.

In a torrid second term dominated by stoppages both sides added two goals to their tally, with a couple of missed opportunities and subsequent behinds helping the Bulldogs to extend their lead to 22 points at the main break.

The Bulldogs were relentless in their running and pressure out of halftime, piling on three unanswered goals to Redpath, Finco and Perkins in the opening 10 minutes of play, before Coburg replied with two of their own through Featherstone and Younan.

Another burst of three goals, including a clever long-range snap from VFL-listed youngster David Iaccarino stretched the visitors’ lead to 46-points at the final change.

Footscray next play on Saturday, 7  June when they head around the bay to Frankston Oval to play the Frankston Dolphins in their round nine encounter.


Final Scores:
Footscray Bulldogs     5.3 (33)     7.7 (49)     13.8 (86)     16.14 (110)
Coburg                        2.2 (14)     4.3 (27)     6.4 (40)       11.19 (76)


Goal Kickers
Footscray Bulldogs: J. Redpath 4, J. Grant 3, J. Russell , J. Perkins , J. Johannisen , D. Iaccarino , A. Cordy , T. Young , T. Finco , M. Wallis, M. Honeychurch
Coburg: L. Featherstone 2, D. Younan 2, O. Uysal 2, N. Carnell , J. Proud , M. Clark , E. McConnell , N. Thomas

Best Players
Footscray Bulldogs: C. Howard, J. Grant, J. Johannisen, J. Russell, N. Lower, J. Redpath
Coburg: A. Saad, E. McConnell, M. Hartley, A. Sturgess, J. Hemala, D. Venditti