A Tom Boyd-inspired Footscray has opened its account in the Victorian Football League this season with a resounding 81-point win over Coburg Lions at the Victoria University Whitten Oval on Saturday.
Boyd kicked five goals to go with 22 disposals, six marks, six tackles and 11 hit-outs in a best-on-ground display that will thrust his name in front of the Western Bulldogs selectors for their AFL clash with Fremantle on Saturday.
It was an important win for Footscray after opening the season with a loss to Sandringham.
The Bulldogs were far too classy for the stand-alone Coburg, piling on 14 goals to three after half-time.
Midfielder Lukas Webb racked up 32 disposals. Webb worked hard defensively too, inflicting seven tackles.
Tom Campbell put the ball on a platter for the Footscray midfielders. The imposing big man had 47 hit-outs, 13 disposals, five marks, seven tackles and two goals.
Footscray has a tough trip away to Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday. Both teams are 1-1 after two weeks.
Meanwhile, Williamstown was on the winners’ list for the first time this season, with a 32-point win over Essendon on Saturday.
Leading by just one point at three quarter-time, the Seagulls put the foot down with a five-goal-to-one last term.
Willie Wheeler and Michael Gibbons racked up possessions at will. Wheeler had 25 disposals to earn best-on-ground honours, while Gibbons finished with 24.
Nick Meese capped off a 53 hit-out, 12 tackle game with two goals for the Seagulls, while Jaylon Thorpe also booted two.
Williamstown will square off with western rivals Werribee in a blockbuster meeting of stand-alone clubs at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday.
Lance Jenkinson
