Footscray further stamped itself at the top of the ladder with an outright win against the Greenvale Kangaroos on Saturday in Victorian Premier Cricket.
The Bulldogs, who entered the round in second spot, showed both its strength with the bat and ball to get the job done.
Coach Dale McDonald said it was really pleasing to take the full points out of the match with having to only bat once.
The Bulldogs won the toss at Mervyn Hughes Oval and decided to send the Kangaroos in.
The Kangaroos were bowled out for 177 in the 46th over.
“We were definitely happy with that,” McDonald said.
“It should have been 140 if I’m being hyper critical but definitely happy with 177 in 45 overs as it was a good wicket to bat on.”
The Bulldogs managed to secure first innings points late on Saturday before continuing to bat on Sunday morning.
The Bulldogs made 2-363 before declaring.
Mitchell Jamieson made it back-to-back 100s as he made 108.
Skipper Dylan Brasher scored his third 100 for the Bulldogs this season with 177 not out.
Dylan Kight also continued his good form, making 59 not out.
“The important part for Mitch was backing up his 100 from last week,” McDonald said.
“For Brasher to be selfless… Him and Kighty could have batted another 10 overs to the lunch break.
“Kighty would have closed in on another 100 and Brasher would have got 200.
“For him to declare the innings over individual success was really good.”
The Bulldogs bowlers then worked hard to bowl the Kangaroos out for a second time.
They were able to restrict them to 183, meaning the Bulldogs had avoided having to bat for a second time.
Daniel Wilczynski took four wickets for the Bulldogs, while Max Birthisel took three.
McDonald said it was a breakout game for Wilczynski.
“He’s just 19 and he’s coming off age,” he said.
“He had only taken a couple of first XI wickets before this match and took seven for the match was good for him,
“He had one dropped on his first ball in the first innings.He didn’t drop his head and worked through it.”
The Bulldogs remain in second spot with the win.
It will be a big weekend for the Bulldogs.
They face Casey South Melbourne at Casey the next two Saturdays in the regular competition.
On Australia Day it will face Richmond in the T20 grand final.
McDonald said the match would be massive for both teams who will have players unavailable.
Travis Dean and Brasher will miss for the Bulldogs due to Victorian second XI commitments.
McDonald said he hoped that Jamieson might also get a look in after his strong season so far.
“It’s an opportunity for players like Max Hatzoglou, Declan O’Brien, Ashton Frost and Aayan Nadeem to get their chance.”
