By Lance Jenkinson
Footscray has ridden the bumps all the way to the Lacrosse Victoria men’s state league premiership.
The Bulldogs were delivered severe body blows during the finals series with injuries to two star players, but first year coach Darren Nicholas had them remain focused, applied a next man up mentality and came through to end five years of late season heartache in claiming their first title since 2013.
The knee injury that ruled Australian captain Chris Plumb for the whole finals and a hamstring injury to the team’s top goal thrower Kane Mollison before the grand final could have derailed the Bulldogs in their quest for that elusive premiership, but they found a way in September, completing a stellar season with a 9-8 win over western suburbs rivals Williamstown in a thrilling grand final at Angliss Reserve on Saturday.
Bulldogs playing president Tim Lane was ecstatic to see his club return to the premiership dais.
“It’s the pinnacle of why we play,” he said.
“It’s hard to describe how it feels.
“I don’t think it’s fully sunk in yet.”
The unavailability of Plumb and Mollison robbed Footscray of two elite players.
For starters, Plumb’s leadership is invaluable, but he is also a key mover of the ball and involved on the attacking end, be it as a set up player or a finisher.
With 35 goals to his name, Mollison’s goal scoring power is feared by defences, so the Bulldogs needed to find another avenue to goal.
Despite the missing stars, Footscray just got on with the job with a minimum of fuss.
“We knew that whoever was picked on the day was going to be able to perform,” Lane said.
It was a neck and neck grand final from start to finish.
Williamstown led by a goal at quarter-time, but Footscray levelled it up by half-time.
Both teams scored two goals in the third period to make it 8-8 entering the fourth.
It would take just one goal in the final quarter to secure Footscray the premiership.
The Bulldogs players were overjoyed at the final whistle.
They have endured so much heartbreak since their 2013 premiership that it has almost been cruel.
The Bulldogs failed to make the grand final last year after going 18-0 in the regular season.
They lost consecutive grand finals to Williamstown in 2015 and 2016.
It was part of a run of three grand final losses after losing to Surrey Park in 2014.
“It’s been a while,” Lane said.
“It’s just great to win another one.”
Footscray’s James Lawerson, who scored two goals, took out the most valuable player award in the grand final.
Lawerson, an Australian representative, has an insatiable appetite to win.
“He was ruthless on the ground balls and when we had to defend he got back hard,” Lane said. “He never stopped running.
“His leadership really shone through on the day.”
Nick Wynne capped a strong finals series with three goals.
His brother, Michael, showed tremendous courage to play the grand final with a broken hand. Jeff Melsopp was superb in the midfield, but the match saver for Footscray was goalkeeper Callan Ahrens, who rose the challenge in the big moments.
“They got away some good shots late on, which he was able to stop,” Lane said.
“He was massive for us.”
Spare a thought for Williamstown, who were one goal away from a rare fourth consecutive premiership. The Fearons have built a dynasty over the past three seasons and you can bet they will be back jostling it out at the pointy end of next season.
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