The Footscray Bulldogs are now 1-1 for the season after suffering a 52-point loss at the hands of the Richmond at Punt Road Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The ‘Scray had a dominant first quarter, Jack Redpath kicking two of the Bulldog’s four goals, the Dogs going into the first break with a 19-point lead.

Richmond took charge in the second term kicking six goals to Footscray's one to snatch the lead going into half time.

"Credit to Richmond, their second quarter was quite outstanding," coach Ashley Hansen said of the Tiger’s response.

Declan Hamilton and Tom Campbell kicked Footscray’s two goals in the third, keeping the margin tight, but a Richmond major in the final minute pushed the lead back out to 11 points at the final change.

"We started really strongly, we played the game and had control of the game in the way we wanted to, but dealing with pressure and making sure that you’re putting the opposition under scoreboard pressure is a big lesson for our young group today." Hansen said.

The final term saw another haul of goals for Richmond, the Tigers posting seven and while holding the Dogs to just five behinds, Hansen acknowledged the missed opportunities in front of goal.

"We had an opportunity to really apply a lot of scoreboard pressure and we didn’t and from after quarter time to kick two goals fourteen is just not acceptable for the standards we want to achieve.

"For the game to blow out the way it did was disappointing but it will be a good lesson for our young guys."

Tory Dickson’s return to football was a positive for the Bulldogs, finishing with 16 disposals and a goal.

The ‘Scray take on the Sandringham Zebras in Round 3 next week, Saturday 23 April at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, 2pm.

 

Footscray         4.3  5.9  7.13        7.18 (112)

Richmond         1.2  7.3  10.6       17.10  (60)

 

Best: Russell, Honeychurch, Collins, Webb, Redpath, Austin

Goals: Redpath 2, Webb, Dickson, Minson, Hamilton & Campbell 1