The Footscray Bulldogs have overpowered Collingwood in an emphatic 72-point victory at Victoria Park on Saturday afternoon. 

From the opening bounce, the Bulldogs set the tone which ultimately secured their 16.18 (114) to 6.6 (42) triumph.  

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VFL R6 | Match Highlights

The Magpies and Bulldogs clash in round six.

Lachlan Smith struck first, slotting a goal on enemy turf to ignite the red, white and blue faithful.

Cooper Hynes extended the lead with a pressure-packed goal, before Luke Kennedy capped the first quarter with a long-range stunner from beyond 50, giving Footscray an 18-point advantage at the first break.

The Dogs continued to hold momentum in the second quarter, with Will Lewis delivering a double blow; kicking two goals to stretch the lead. 

 

Caleb Poulter then added an exclamation point—unleashing a 55-metre goal that electrified the crowd and stunned the commentary team.

Chan Hargraves slotted another to put the Bulldogs 25-points up at half-time.

An eight-to-one goal second half proved the difference, with the Dogs saluting in style. 

 

Harvey Gallagher was a force through the midfield, amassing 27 disposals and two goals, while Poulter’s three goals and 26 touches impressed. 

Cooper Craig-Peters was equally impactful, kicking a goal and racking up 24 disposals, including six clearances.

Collingwood attempted to fight back in the final term, but Footscray’s defence—led by Oskar Baker (25 disposals, 11 marks) and Nick Coffield (19 disposals, 10 marks)—repelled the Magpies’ late surge.

 

Smith’s ruck work (38 hit-outs, 17 disposals) provided first use to the Bulldogs’ midfield, while Ethan Hunt (22 disposals, eight marks) and Taylor Duryea (26 disposals, 13 marks) also impressed around the ground.

Footscray will look to carry this momentum into Round 7 when it hosts the Casey Demons at Mission Whitten Oval on Saturday 10 May.

Match summary:  

Collingwood: 1.0 5.2 6.4 6.6 (42) 

Footscray 3.6 8.9 10.14 16.18 (114)  

Goals: Poulter 3, Lewis 3, Gallagher 2, Hargraves 2, Kennedy, Craig-Peters, Moloney, L. Smith, A. Jones, Cuningham. 

Best: Duryea, Gallagher, Coffield, L. Smith, Craig-Peters, Poulter.