Footscray have sounded a warning to the rest of the competition with another big win, this time over the in-form Magpies, at Victoria University Whitten Oval on Saturday.
In shades of their second round clash at Victoria Park, the Bulldogs allowed Collingwood a head start, the Pies slamming on 6.3 in the first term to lead by 19 points at the first change.
Footscray then went on to kick 18 of the next 22 goals, eventually running out 68-point winners to make it two wins in a row for the red, white and blue, giving an already formidable percentage a major boost.
Coach Ashely Hansen said that in the momentum building win was an important one in the context of the season:
“Collingwood were one game ahead of us in the (top) eight and they’d been travelling really well with the scalps of Werribee and Box Hill. To beat a team above us was a good reward for the effort.”
With 26 touches and four goals, Bailey Dale was Footscray’s best, the 19 year-old displaying the polish of a veteran in the tough conditions. Michael Fogarty, Tom Campbell and the always reliable Brent Prismall were also influential and Stewart Crameri was back to his best, kicking three goals and gathering 23 possessions.
“Stewy worked his way into the game really nicely and we started to see him working up and down the ground which we know he’s got the capacity to do,” Hansen said.
“He played up forward and on the wing. I think he’s starting to feel a bit more comfortable in the midfield which is really pleasing and encouraging for our senior side”
While Ayce Cordy, Will Hayes, Jordan Kelly and Campbell also hit the scoreboard multiple times, Hansen was especially buoyed by Footscray boasting 11 different goal kickers.
“To have 11 avenues to goal is really pleasing - a lot of guys getting rewards for their efforts, both offensively and defensively. I was wrapped to have that even spread, it’s important; you can’t rely on having one avenue to goal.
“We base our ball movement and our team offence around having 18 players on the field. It was good to have that contribution today.”
Hansen said that on the back of a good second half against Sandringham in Round 11 and with high quality victories over the Northern Blues and now Collingwood, he is pleased with where his side sits at this point in the season.
“To beat a side the calibre of Collingwood makes me feel comfortable going to Geelong next week. Our squad’s in good shape and as I’ve said each week, I feel like our best footy is going to be played at the back end of the year, and that’s where we’re heading at the moment.”
Footscray travel to Simonds Stadium next Sunday to take on the Geelong.
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS 3.2 9.3 12.6 21.12 (138)
COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES 6.3 7.4 8.9 10.10 (70)
GOALS: Dale 4, Crameri, Hayes 3, A. Cordy, Campbell, Kelly, 2, Forgarty, Pearce, Greenwood, Jamieson, Sharp.
BEST: Dale, Fogarty, Crameri, Prismall, Campbell, Russell.
