The Footscray Bulldogs are 1-3 in the 2016 after a 43-point loss to Werribee on Saturday afternoon at Victoria University Whitten Oval.
Werribee took advantage of a strong breeze blowing to the Seddon end, putting on six goals to the Bulldogs one in the opening term.
Footscray were not able to apply the same scoreboard pressure in the second, kicking four goals to the Tigers’ five.
A disappointed Ashley Hansen said that he was disappointed in his side’s defensive effort and inability to score.
‘Once again our defense was poor in the second quarter, he said.
‘When we were kicking to the breeze our inability to retain possession and have shots on goal resulted in turnovers across our forward mid/mid-forward area.
‘Our ability to then transition off that and defend was also poor, so in the second quarter allowing them to kick five wasn’t up to standard.’
Josh Dunkley was a standout with 34 disposals, Hansen impressed with the 19-year-old’s work rate.
‘He’s a young mid who works really hard Josh, he’s in and under, he’s a battering ram, he had a lot handballs and a lot if tackles in day that was pretty tough.
“He’s got a great appetite for the contest.’
Werribee again scored heavily in the third term, kicking to the Bulldogs’ 3.0, but the Dogs were able to hold the Tigers to just two goals in the final term, both scored after the 18-minute mark.
Hansen acknowledged the second-half effort and also the amount of new inexperienced young Dogs in the red, white and blue in their first season.
‘We lost the second half by 8 points so the boys responded and they tried hard.
‘We had 11 of our 23 in their first year with us so it was a big development game for them.’
Despite this, Hansen is adamant that the Bulldogs will respond and the necessary changes will be made to get the side back on the winner’s list.
‘What I’ll be looking for over the coming weeks are the players that learn and are able to build and develop their games.
“They’ll remain with us and those that cant will forgo their position because we need to keep improving each week and we cant continually make the same lapses and errors.’
Footscray return to Victoria University Whitten Oval next Sunday, taking on North Ballarat next week at 11.40am.
Footscray 1.1 5.8 8.8 12.13 (85)
Werribee 6.4 11.4 17.12 19.13 (127)
Best: Dunkley, Honeychurch, Webb, Dalgleish, Cordy, Russell
Goals: Jamieson, Wyatt 2, Honeychurch, D. Hamilton, Goetz, Redpath, Dalgleish, Staley, Taschevski-Beckwith, Wallis.
