FOOTSCRAY had a steely determination last Saturday to snap a two-game losing run in the Victorian Rugby Union Premier 1.
The Bulldogs hardly put a foot wrong from the training track to the pitch as they disposed of Boroondara 31-10 on the road.
Bulldogs coach Junior Naufahu said everything he impressed upon the players at training came out in the game. “It was a good win from the boys after two losses. They worked pretty hard last week to prepare themselves for a physical game.”
The Bulldogs are developing a team-first psyche after being exposed in previous games when some players had a more cavalier approach.
A feature on Saturday was their willingness to work and support teammates. It showed as no fewer than five players – Frank Amituanai, Tim Diack, Keisuke Yamada, Tomu Hiratsuka and Tuipine Apineru – crossed for tries.
“I’m all about teamwork,” Naufahu said. “It’s a 15-man game and one player can’t carry the team. We’re trying to get the players to work in pods of three going forward, but that still needs a lot of work.”
Diack claimed player of the match honours, the right flanker described by his coach as “like a jackal – he was everywhere. He pounced on everything in front of him”.
Amituanai was the chief line-breaker for the Doggies and Shane Imo hit three from five conversions and his kicking game in general play was first-class.
“It was be a good test for us,” Naufahu said. “We played a top team earlier in the season and it didn’t go so well for us.
“We need to work on our pods and not worry about individual stuff and stick to what we know and do well.”
The Bulldogs face a sterner test against second-placed Southern Districts at Henry Turner Reserve on Saturday.
Premier 1: Boroondara 10 lt Footscray 31. Premier 2: Boroondara 17 lt Footscray 24. Premier 3: Boroondara 12 lt Footscray 48.
