It was an amazing end to a dog of a week for Footscray in the Victorian Rugby Union first grade.
The Bulldogs were battered in every conceivable way until pulling one out of the fire for a determined 15-12 win over Southern Districts at Henry Turner Reserve on Saturday.
Bulldogs coach Justin Carroll went so far as to say the three-point victory will mark a fresh starting point in the season, despite his side’s place in the top four already.
“They really wanted to start their season this Saturday after some of the disappointments of the last week,” Carroll told Star Weekly.
The Bulldogs had been left shell-shocked the previous round after a 77-0 loss to Box Hill.
The facts their opponents were undefeated and sitting on top of the ladder made no difference. It was simply unacceptable for a Dogs’ side that wants to be a contender this season … but that was only the start of the woes for the Bulldogs.
Devastating news came that English imports Harry Key and Danny Hartwell would not be seen in Dogs’ jerseys again. The pair left the club after failing to find regular work in Melbourne, crossing the Nullarbor for lucrative offers in Perth instead.
“It was a surprise to me,” Carroll said. “That’s left a big hole; they were pretty pivotal to us.
“The offer to play in Perth included employment, accommodation and maybe even a vehicle.”
The English connection was further weakened by a knee injury to Ollie Walker. He is likely to miss more than a month of action.
When the Bulldogs’ luck appeared to be about to turn on Saturday, Dee Samasoni was sent off after an altercation with Southern star Ben Whittaker.
The Dogs had to battle for 60 minutes with 14 men.
“The red card didn’t help,” Carroll said.
“Being a hooker, it put some pressure on our scrum, so the set piece then struggled.”
The numerical disadvantage proved little hindrance to the Bulldogs.
They kept to their structures and controlled the tempo of the game as though no one was missing.
“The boys just rolled the sleeves up and worked hard around the park,” Carroll said.
“They just kept going up and direct, and showed some real patience, which was lacking last week.
“We were really under the pump at the end but the boys stuck it out the whole way.
“That’s what we’re about at Footscray, sticking together when the times are tough.”
The return of Frank Amituanai from a knee injury changed the game. The Bulldogs’ most damaging player was back to his old self in a short but devastating substitute appearance.
“He played the second half and was enormous for us,” Carroll said.
“He kept getting over the game line.
“It was taking three or four guys to bring him down.
“Everyone just followed and all of a sudden our energy picked up and our drive picked up.
“Frank really helped change the momentum.”
It was a touch ironic after the defection of two of his countrymen that Englishman Levan Stapleton took out man of the match honours for his role at number eight.
The defence of Martin Naufahu and Shane Imo was also crucial, as was the finishing of Siosiua Havea, with two tries.
The Bulldogs hit the road to face third-placed Harlequin in a top-four clash at Ashwood Reserve this Saturday.
