A dominant second half was the difference as Footscray got themselves back on the winners list with a rampaging 54-point victory over Sandringham.
An arm wrestle for much of the game beckoned a tight finish, before an unanswered nine-goal run in the second half saw the Dogs run away 6.6 (42) to 13.18 (96) victors.
It was a slower start for the red, white, and blue as Sandringham controlled the tempo of the game to slot the first two goals, before Footscray really ramped up the pressure in each third of the ground.
The first Dogs' goal came after some high pressure from second-gamer Kai Stretton who earnt himself a free kick for holding the ball, as a Cooper Craig-Peters goal gave the Dogs a four-point lead at quarter time.
The second quarter was an arm wrestle to begin, with the Bulldogs defence holding firm against some good Sandringham looks, before play opened up as the dew began to dry from the surface.
Toby McLean was everywhere in the second quarter and was part of many Footscray forward forays, nailing one of his three shots on goal.
It was a three-point lead for Footscray at the main change which looked to be maintained in an arm wrestle to begin the second half.
As they’d done in the first half, they managed to hit the scoreboard to begin time on, but that was just the beginning as a rampaging finish to the third quarter saw the Dogs pile on six goals in an explosive 12-minute burst.
Ewan Macpherson’s (21 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances) physicality was instrumental in the streak, as was Joel Garner’s whose efforts were rewarded with two goals.
The margin was 32 points at the final change, as Footscray were the first to capitalise on holding the momentum.
The lead would only be built on as the Bulldogs kicked nine straight goals in the end before a Sandringham reply, as the final siren saw the margin stand at 54 points.
Skipper Lachie Sullivan told the Channel 7 coverage early in the third quarter that the cleared conditions would allow the ‘Scray to “be bold” with their ball movement, but his output was not limited to favourable conditions.
He led from the front with 33 disposals, 10 clearances, and six tackles, as McLean ended with 25 disposals, seven tackles, and five clearances after a dominant second term.
Josh Bruce kicked the first and last of Footscray’s run of nine goals as he ended with 4.5 in his return from a hamstring niggle, getting through the full game.
His partner up forward for much of the day was Sam Darcy, who looked really lively once conditions dried up, ending with 16 disposals, six marks, and eight hit outs.
Louis Butler defended and rebounded against a mountain of Sandringham forward entries early and displayed his trademark work rate to collect 20 disposals.
He was joined in defence by Buku Khamis (16 disposals, seven marks) and Tim O’Brien (18 disposals, seven marks), while Luke Cleary, Nathan Drummond, and Jarrod Gilbee also played important roles in the first half.
Cody Raak enjoyed more time in the forward half this week, while Lachlan McNeil and Roarke Smith were serviceable.
Meanwhile, Laitham Vandermeer got through the game unscathed in his return from a hamstring injury and finished with 12 disposals.
The only sour note for the Bulldogs was losing Hayden Crozier to an ankle injury in the first quarter.
Footscray will have a bye next week, before taking on the undefeated Casey Demons at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday 23 July at 2:05pm.
MATCH DETAILS
Sandringham 2.0 4.4 5.5 6.6 (42)
Footscray 2.4 4.7 9.13 13.18 (96)
Goals: Bruce 4, Garner 2, McNeil 2, Darcy, McLean, Smith, Stretton, Craig-Peters
