By Lance Jenkinson
Footscray has moved to equal third on the all-time VFA/VFL premiership list after claiming its 10th flag with a three-peat.
The last time the Bulldogs were in the state league competition was in 1924, when they won back-to-back flags under captain-coach Con McCarthy.
The Bulldogs were promoted to the then VFL ranks for the 1925 season.
On Sunday, the youth-driven Bulldogs defied the preseason critics – who tipped they would be lucky to even make the finals – by beating the Box Hill Hawks in front of an impressively large crowd of 23,816 at Etihad Stadium.
The grand final win ended a long premiership drought for Bulldogs fans, whose last senior success came in the big league in 1954 when Footscray thrashed Melbourne at
the MCG.
The Dogs have won night premierships and even AFL reserves premierships along the way. But this one meant a bit more for a club starved of the ultimate success on that last Saturday in September.
It was celebrated with gusto by a crowd predominantly in the Bulldogs’ red, white and blue, one that was late arriving due to
stadium operators being caught unawares of the big turnout.
Footscray coach Chris Maple was “ecstatic” to accept the premiership cup on behalf of those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make a premiership a reality in the club’s first season back in the competition.
“I’m really proud of the boys, really proud of the club and all our staff who made it happen,” Maple said.
“Starting up from scratch was a massive job, and to come out and get the flag in the first year back was just unbelievable.”
From day one, Maple has not shied away from the fact that he’s using the VFL as a development tool for the Western Bulldogs to begin their march up the AFL ladder.
But the longer the season wore on, the more insatiable the thirst became for the Bulldogs to make it an unforgettable season in the VFL.
They won 15 of their last 16 games to go from a speculative finals chance to a bona fide premiership contender. The players never once took their eyes off the major prize.
“Every AFL-listed player obviously wants to play AFL footy, but their buy-in [to the VFL side] was fantastic,” Maple said.
“We were really proud of their attitude to playing VFL. It was good for their development to play in high-pressure finals games.”
There were a number of hard luck stories for the Bulldogs.
Co-captains Lukas Markovic and Nick Lower missed the grand final, but, like true leaders, didn’t let their disappointment show.
Lower was ruled out with a shoulder injury, while Markovic was the odd man out in a side laden with tall defenders. Jase Perkins and Anthony Barry were also stiff to miss out.
Fletcher Roberts, Josh Prudden, Matt Fuller and Clay Smith missed through injury.
But for every hard luck story, there was a happy one.
The Norm Goss Medal for best afield went to midfielder Brett Goodes, who was outstanding with his ferocity at the contests and deep left- foot kicking.
“He was awesome wasn’t he?” Maple said.
“Goodsey’s a hard, tough, great leader – he’s just been fantastic for the group.”
Liam Jones booted five goals, including two late, while onballer Lin Jong backed up
a two-year contract extension with a scintillating performance.
Maple was thrilled for the Bulldogs army
which turned out in force to make it a
memorable occasion.
“For them to come out and see the youth of the Bulldogs moving forward and developing well was great,” he said. “We’re on the move.”
For a grand final photo gallery, visit
www.maribyrnong.starweekly.com.au.
