FOOTSCRAY was a bit scratchy first up but still got the points over Moorabbin in a high-scoring Victorian Rugby Union Premier 1 season opener at Henry Turner Reserve on Saturday.
The Bulldogs piled on the points in attack but also leaked plenty on the defensive end before winning 44-30 to get the season moving in the right direction.
Bulldogs coach Junior Naufahu was rapt to get his first win in charge. “Always happy to have a win for the first game,” he told the Weekly.
“It wasn’t a great performance from our team but it was good enough.”
The Bulldogs backs ran amok to carve up the visitors with their foot speed. Naufahu says fitness was a key focus over the preseason and it shone through in the victory.
“The pace of the game really got to them,” he said.
“That was our focus for preseason to get the boys real fit and really focus on explosive work.”
Hooker Melbourne Lesea was the best on ground for the Bulldogs. The Rebels-aligned star did a power of work at the breakdown.
“He’s just a fearsome player, doesn’t give in to anyone,” Naufahu said. “He gives 100per cent every time he steps on to the field.”
The Bulldogs will travel to Endeavour Hills in the second round on Saturday.
They will go in as hot favourites after the sides experienced contrasting results on the opening weekend. The message from Naufahu to his players will be to bring the same attitude as they displayed against Moorabbin.
“It doesn’t matter where they are on the table, you take every game like it’s your last,” he said.
VRU RESULTS
P1: Footscray 44 d Moorabbin 30
P2: Footscray 22 lt Moorabbin 33
P3: Footscray 13 lt Moorabbin 17
