The onus was on Footscray Edgewater to find a way back into the lead pack of Premier Cricket.
The Bulldogs had suffered a string of close losses either side of the mid-season break and went into the latest round in a lowly 12th position.
The gap between them and the top eight was not huge, but making up ground in a closely contested season was never going to be easy.
The Bulldogs expected to grind over the three rounds that remain and never thought the route one approach was possible. They took a ride in the fast lane last Saturday, though, wrapping up 10 points in an outright win over a disappointing Frankston Peninsula, away at the AHButler Oval.
The win allowed the Bulldogs to square their season ledger at 7-7 and return to the finals mix.
The Bulldogs have not only picked up the 10 priceless points; they’ve been given a significant confidence booster to take into their clash against St Kilda at Merv Hughes Oval, starting on Saturday.
After chasing 81 for first innings points last week, the Dogs went on the attack early, putting on 5-182 before declaring with a lead of 102.
Led by four wickets to young gun Guy Walker, the Bulldogs removed the Heat for 185, giving the home side a lead of 83.
The Bulldogs chased down the target in 15.1 overs for the loss of just one wicket. Travis Dean, who made a blistering 93 in the first innings, blasted 59 off 39 balls, while English import Dan Hodgson played a supporting role with 28 off 46 to guide the Dogs to victory.
