It was a dismal day from start to finish for Point Cook in the Western Region Football League division 2.
The signs were bad early when ruckman Wayde Skipper went down in the first quarter with a hamstring injury. Soon after, midfielder Jay Bluscke’s game ended with a calf complaint.
It was not the day for the Bulldogs to be undermanned, coming face to face with the all-conquering Yarraville-Seddon Eagles, who further enhanced its credentials in the 67-point win at Saltwater Reserve on Saturday.
Point Cook was restricted to just three goals for the game – not the kind of output to trouble the Eagles, nor excite a crowd.
Two of the Bulldogs goals came off the boot of Tristan Furr, while Matthew Poland snared the other.
Bulldogs coach Ian Denny admitted his side was second best on the day, but denies the gap between the sides is that big.
“They played really well and full credit to Yarraville,” Denny said.
“They ran and spread better than what we did and they were a little better organised than us after we lost a couple of players early.
“They out-played us, but I don’t think there’s such a huge gap, that’s not a true reflection of the gap between the two teams.
“I think those margins will tighten up towards the end of the year.”
Point Cook will face an equally desperate North Footscray in the clash between second and third at Hansen Reserve on Saturday.
North Footscray is coming off a shock defeat to local rivals West Footscray.
Meanwhile, Manor Lakes had a shocker, kicking just one goal in a 62-point loss to Parkside. The Storm has tumbled to sixth.
In division 1, Werribee Districts survived a fright in a 13-point victory over Albion.
The win moves the Tigers into top spot – two points clear of four other sides.
Wyndhamvale could not break the drought, going down by 114 points to Sunshine.
In division 3, Glen Orden made it two successive wins, beating Laverton by 21 points.
Wyndham Suns improved to 11-0, taking care of North Sunshine by 131 points, Point Cook Centrals bounced back with 35-point win over Sunshine Heights and in-form Tarneit thrashed Braybrook by 80 points.