Three goals from Tom Boyd and a 34-possession game from skipper Jordan Russell saw Footscray over the line against an experienced Essendon at a wild and windy Victoria University Whitten Oval on Sunday.
 
The Bombers were on top early, kicking the first three goals of the match before Declan Hamiltion opened the Footscray account with a clever snap over his shoulder in traffic.
 
The Essendon lead was 14 points at the first change but the Dons wouldn’t kick another goal until seven minutes into the third term despite Bomber Courtney Dempsey giving the Bulldogs’ coaching staff headaches whenever he went near the ball.
 
Zaine Cordy was again influential across halfback and at the other end, Tom Boyd worked his way into the game after a slow start, crashing packs and kicking two important goals in the third term despite regular close attention from the Essendon defenders.
 
The Bombers got within a point at the 20 minute mark of the third term and were just 11 points in arrears at the final break but the Dogs, through Jong, Goodes, Kelly and Fogarty held the visitors at arm’s length for the rest of the day, Footscray ultimately running out 22 point winners.
 
Coach Ashely Hansen said that the way his players responded after last week’s disappointing performance against Coburg at Piranha Park was pleasing.
 
“I was really happy to see the guys get back to the fundamentals today,” he said.
 
“We were hard at the contest, we defended well – the back six worked together, we were more adventurous with our ball movement and that created plenty of scoring opportunities.”
 
A strong traditional Whitten Oval northerly settled in around quarter time and both sides struggled with it at different points of the match, but Hansen was happy with the way his charges were able to adapt to the difficult conditions.
 
“With the wind today we had to play in different modes and I was really happy when you compare our performance today in these conditions to previous games,” he said.
 
“I thought we dealt with the conditions much better than we have in the past.”
 
If not for some errant kicking in the last quarter - the Dogs kicked 2.6 – the final margin could have been significantly larger, but Hansen said he’s happy to take the four points against a top 4 opponent.
 
“Essendon are quality opposition. They are an experienced side with big bodies that were never going to up an easy contest to us.
 
“I’m really happy with the way the boys responded after last week.”
 
Footscray travel to Burbank Oval to take on Williamstown next Sunday.
 
 
Footscray Bulldogs            2.1   5.3   9.4      11.10 (76)
Essendon                         4.3   4.4   6.11   7.12  (54)   
 
Goals: Boyd 3, Jamieson 2, Hrovat, Hamilton, Pearce, Hayes, Nash, Austin
Best: Jong, Kelly, Darley, R Smith, Russell, Cordy