Footscray’s premiership defence in the Victorian Football League is over.
The Bulldogs bowed out of the finals in straight sets with a 66-point loss to Essendon at North Port Oval on Saturday.
The Dogs were smashed out of the middle in the first half and never recovered as the Bombers stretched their lead at every change.
Tom Boyd was the Bulldogs’ only multiple goalkicker with two – the side registered only a paltry eight goals after being one of the most potent attacking sides for most of the season.
Brent Prismall and JD Hayes were the leading possession getters for the Bulldogs, while ruckman-Ayce Cordy was named the Dogs’ best.
Western suburbs football fans will now turn the spotlight on Williamstown, who is ready and waiting for the challenge of Essendon in Sunday’s preliminary final at North Port Oval.
The Seagulls are imploring their own fans to flock to Port Melbourne. But as the only stand-alone club left in the competition, they are also calling on all neutral fans to throw their support behind them for the rest of the finals series.
The first bounce on Sunday will be at 2.40pm.
