The Footscray Bulldogs have secured back-to-back wins in fine fashion, recording a comfortable 16.9 (105) to 4.7 (31) victory over Richmond at Mission Whitten Oval.
Footscray made the perfect start, kicking the opening goal before applying strong forward pressure to keep Richmond on the back foot.
The Tigers generated turnovers and found plenty of the football, but the Bulldogs' accuracy saw them take a narrow lead into quarter time.
The hosts carried their momentum into the second term, extending their lead with an early major and locking the ball inside their forward 50.
Four late goals capped off a dominant quarter, giving Footscray a commanding 43-point advantage at the main break.
Footscray continued its dominance into the third quarter, controlling the contest and denying Richmond any momentum around the ball. It was Footscray’s clean ball movement and impressive turnovers that helped maintain their scoreboard advantage.
The ‘Scray forwards worked tirelessly to lock the ball inside attacking 50, applying relentless pressure as the Tigers struggled to clear their defensive half.
As the sun set, the contest tightened and both sides struggled to make the most of their forward 50 opportunities.
Despite Richmond's persistence, Footscray remained composed, with the hosts proving too strong to let the margin narrow.
Footscray were able to secure the four points with an impressive victory, keeping their finals hopes firmly alive heading into the final stretch of the season.
AFL Bulldog Harvey Gallagher topped Footscray’s stats with 31 disposals and five tackles, while vice-captain Jack Billings was efficient as ever with 28 touches and a game-high 15 marks.
Head coach Alex Johnson was pleased with the win and the consistent pressure applied throughout.
“Last quarters have been an area of improvement for us, so to go the way we did was important,” he said.
“I think to kick that many goals, we played the way we wanted to.”
Footscray will now turn its attention to Werribee, with both the VFL and VFLW sides to feature in a double-header at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval next Saturday.
Match Details
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS 0.2 0.6 3.8 7.13 (55)
RICHMOND TIGERS 2.5 7.9 12.11 12.11 (83)
Goals: Sexton 2, Billings 2, Vandermeer 2, Emmett 2, Craig-Peters 2, Jaques, Carmichael, McNeil, Ramshaw, Edwards, Darcy
Best: Billings, Gallagher, Craig-Peters, Emmett, Cleary, McNeil
