Footscray fades at the business end

Lachlan Dalgleish. Photo by Damjan Janevski.

Footscray led at every change against Collingwood in the Victorian Football League on Saturday, but not when it mattered most – at the final siren.

The Bulldogs were overrun by 32 points in a disappointing finish at the Whitten Oval.

They took an 11-point lead into three-quarter time, but the Magpies were irresistible in the final term, banging on eight goals to one to leave the home side in their wake.

Will Hayes continued his strong form for Footscray, collecting 26 possessions, while Lewis Young had 26 disposals to go with a team-high 13 marks.

Lukas Webb (31 disposals) and Mitch Wallis (26) were two shining lights on their returns from the AFL, while defender-moved-forward Fletcher Roberts and crumber Mitch Honeychurch kicked two goals apiece.

Footscray has tumbled to 10th on the ladder and face an important game against Essendon at Whitten Oval on Saturday from 6pm.

Williamstown had a tough day at the office in a 34-point loss to Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

The Seagulls could only manage five goals for the game – two coming off the boot of forward Sam Dunell.

Brett Bewley was the leading ball winner with 36 disposals, while Michael Gibbons (30) and captain Adam Marcon (23) had their fair share, but it fell away after that.

In VFL women’s, it was a historic weekend for Williamstown, which claimed its first win in the competition.

The Seagulls were in command for the most part of a 31-point win over Richmond in the inaugural Pride Game on Sunday. The Seagulls wore rainbow-themed guernseys for the game.

Georgia Harris kicked two crucial goals, while Megan Williamson, Jacinta Reid and Jess Duffin were the dominant players.

Williamstown can make it two in a row when it hosts winless Casey Demons on Sunday. It will be the first time the Seagulls hold a VFL/VFLW double header at Morris Street with the women playing at 11.30am and the men’s at 2pm.