The Footscray Bulldogs have come away from their first interstate trip with a 72-point win over the GWS Giants at Blacktown International Sportspark on Thursday night.
After a heated and contested first half that saw several lead changes, the Bulldogs came out of the main break with a lifted intensity and opened up the game, kicking 13 goals to two after half-time.
The Giants were competitive in the first half but the Dogs’ defensive pressure stood tall, with Buku Khamis and Charlie Cormack (11 marks each) impacting in the air and around the ground.
As a result, the Bulldogs were able to hold the Giants to 13 scoring shots for the whole game – including a scoreless final quarter.
Led by an all-round dominant performance from Pat Lipinski (35 disposals, one goal), the Bulldogs had a host of ball winners, including Will Hayes (28 disposals) and Robbie McComb (25 disposals).
Rhylee West (25 disposals, five tackles) was explosive in the second half, booting three goals in the third term and shifting the momentum in the Bulldogs’ favour.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan bagged five majors from eight kicks in a strong performance, while captain Lachie Sullivan (24 disposals, six tackles) led from the front. Tough nut Riley Garcia (19 disposals, seven tackles) also impressed around the ball.
Mitch Hannan contributed three majors, while fellow AFL-listed Bulldogs Jordon Sweet, Dom Bedendo and Louis Butler kicked two each.
The ‘Scray now look ahead to next Saturday afternoon, when they take on the Northern Bullants at Preston City Oval.
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS 3.2 8.4 16.6 21.9 (135)
GWS GIANTS 2.2 8.2 10.3 10.3 (63)
Goals: Ugle-Hagan 5, West 3, Hannan 3, Bedendo 2, Butler 2, Sweet 2, Cavarra, Schache, Lipinksi, Weightman,
Best: Lipinski, West, Hayes, McComb, Sullivan, Ugle-Hagan, Khamis, Wallis, Butler
