Tara Murray
Footscray’s batters were on in its win against Prahran on Saturday in Victorian Premier Cricket.
After an up and down start with the bat this season, the Bulldogs openers got the job done on Saturday.
Bulldogs coach Dale McDonald said they had been a little bit up and down to start the season, but Saturday was a much better performance.
“It was a really good weekend,” he said. “Prahran was sitting above us on the ladder, but we were on the same points.
“We bowled really well and then Daniel Sartori and Dylan Brasher put on a 117 run opening partnership, our highest opening partnership since 2018.”
Prahran made 9-177 from its 50 overs.
Max Birthisel took three wickets for the Bulldogs, while Umair Butt chipped in with two wickets.
Then with the bat, the Bulldogs had little trouble hitting the runs finishing 1-178 in the 36th over.
Sartori finished 103 not out, while Brasher made 45.
It’s Sartori’s second century for the season.
“It’s a good reward for him,” McDonald said. “He doesn’t get to training as much as he would like with a young family.
“It shows that senior players like him just have that ability to go out and play.”
McDonald said they hoped this would be the start of some more consistency with the bat. He said they think they have the right balance in their side now.
“With our batting we’ve been hot or cold,” he said.
“Travis [Dean] wasn’t available this week and we looked to add an extra batter. The balance is now right, but we didn’t need it anyway this week.”
The Bulldogs now sit in ninth spot, percentage outside the top eight. They face Geelong and Greenvale in the two matches before Christmas.
McDonald said they weren’t taking either match lightly, despite the teams having one win each.
“Regardless of where they sit on the ladder, at the end of the day, any team can beat you,” he said.
“Each team has match winners. Geelong has been struggling of late and had a good win on the weekend.
“Greenvale, we’re not looking too far ahead, but they had some good form in the T20 last week.”
The Bulldogs were set to be in action on Tuesday night in the second round of the T20 competition, which was after deadline.
The Bulldogs were due to face Greenvale, having lost their first round match.
McDonald said they were looking to play as many senior players as possible in these matches, while giving some players from the second XI an opportunity.
“The intention at the start of the year still remains the same, for as many senior players as possible but that is hard with guys and young families,” he said.
“With our depth gives the second guys a really good opportunity.
“Dylan Brasher is captaining the team which is good for his leadership and taking on that responsibility.”
