Footscray upset local rivals Williamstown by four points in a VFL thriller at Burbank Oval on Sunday.
The Bulldogs led for most of the final quarter, only to see their advantage disappear with late goals to Jack Dorgan and Ben Jolley.
Dorgan’s goal for the Seagulls was one of the highlights of the match, hemmed up on the boundary, he could barely see daylight between the big sticks and managed to pierce them.
There was enough time on the clock for Footscray to wrestle back the lead one final time though.
In the decisive play, the Bulldogs almost made a meal of their advantage, before Andrew Tashevski-Beckwith ended the chain with a sweetly-timed goal on the run from 50 metres out.
Mitch Hannan was superb for the Bulldogs with four goals, while Jordan Russell was commanding in defence with 27 possessions, nine marks and three tackles. Liam Nash and Jed Adcock were ferocious with seven tackles apiece.
For Williamstown, Willie Wheeler continued his sparkling form, racking up 27 possessions, while Caleb Hislop worked hard both ways with 23 disposals and eight tackles. Leigh Masters, Michael Gibbons and Dylan Conway kicked two goals apiece for the Seagulls.
It was a crucial victory for Footscray – the sixth time in eight games it has won by two goals or less – securing a finals spot for a third year running.
Williamstown slid down the ladder to second spot. The Seagulls will be looking to get back into the winners’ circle when they visit Essendon for Wheeler’s 100th VFL game at Windy Hill on Sunday.
Footscray has the bye.
Meanwhile, the season is over for Footscray defender Kieran Collins, who will undergo surgery on a shoulder injury. In better news, half back flanker Bailey Williams is set to resume VFL for the Bulldogs after the break, having recovered from a knee injury.
