Round 4 - 2017, Footscray Bulldogs v Richmond

[KT31]

Re: Round 4 - 2017, Footscray Bulldogs v Richmond

Thanks for the great summary, Soup.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Round 4 - 2017, Footscray Bulldogs v Richmond

Thanks all, where's Honeychurch at now?

[Bornadog]

Re: Round 4 - 2017, Footscray Bulldogs v Richmond

Redpath kicks six in return, helping Footscray snare win over Tigers

Jack Redpath (pictured) kicked six goals in his first game back after a long term knee injury. Photo: Liz Vagg

The Footscray Bulldogs have claimed victory in their round four VFL clash against Richmond, defeating the Tigers 17.16 (118) to 17.9 (111), on Saturday afternoon at Etihad Stadium.

The victory was the team's third win in succession, with the reigning VFL premiers starting to find their stride in 2017.
Jack Redpath made his return from a long term knee injury and was a dominating presence on the field, with nine marks inside fifty and six goals.

Post match Redpath spoke to westernbulldogs.coma.u about his first game back for 2017, describing the culmination of his rehab as a “perfect return”.

“To be able to kick a few goals and get a win, its more then I could ask for,” Redpath said.
Redpath also spoke about the support from the midfielders and other key forwards such as Dickson and Crameri.

Dickson also impacted the scoreboard kicking three goals of his own.
Midfielder Mitch Wallis backed up last week’s strong performance with 31 touches and one goal, showing off some clean skills and a level head under pressure.

Another player who had the ball on a string was Shane Biggs finishing with 27 touches off half-back, while Bailey Dale also had a strong showing kicking two goals to go with 25 disposals.

The Dogs let the Tigers get off to a running start, kicking seven goals to one in the opening term. Grace’s message at quarter time was for the boys to not get too focused on the Tigers' head start but rather “play each moment and let the scoreboard take care of itself.”

Heeding the coach's advice, the Bulldogs came out in the second quarter to kick five goals to one and bring themselves back into the game. Some of the big names started to assert their presence on the scoreboard, wth bot Redpath and Dickson kicking two majors for the term.

Footscray trailed by just nine points at the main break.
It was a tug-of-war type affair in the second half with the teams both vying for the lead.

As time ticked away in the final term, a flurry of goals from the Tigers seemed to have them building momentum and on the verge of kicking clear, but Footscray never conceeded.

Late goals from Webb, Gowers and Redpath saw the Dogs secure the win, with Grace praising his player's ability to dig deep when required.
Footscray continue their home and away season campaign next Saturday, facing off against the undefeated Port Melbourne side at North Port Oval.

Footscray Bulldogs 1.6 (12) 6.9 (45) 9.14 (68) 17.16 (118)
Richmond 7.3 (45) 8.6 (54) 12.8 (80) 17.9 (111)

Goalkickers: J. Redpath 6, T. Dickson 3, B. Dale 3, L. Webb, B. Gowers, M. Wallis, D. Hamilton, A. Tashevski-Beckwith

Disposals: M. Wallis 31, S. Biggs 27, B. Dale 25, N. Jamieson 25, J. Prudden 25, L. Webb 21, W. Hayes 20, D. Hamilton 19, J. Russell 19

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Round 4 - 2017, Footscray Bulldogs v Richmond

I watched the whole game and my take in relation to how AFL ready our guys looked...

Redpath- looked stronger in marking contest than ever. He wasn't fast but I thought he covered enough ground. I would have him playing AFL next week unless it's seen as too much of a risk.

Wallis- was a pleasing run second week back and looks ready for AFL to me. He will suit the forward/mid role.

Dickson- has the composure we need up forward however he was on and off a fair bit in the first half. Not sure if this is management for next week but I feel he is too big a risk in terms of running out a game at AFL level.

Dale- he was class. Would have him in next week.

Prudden- loved his kicking in pressure situations, really hit some targets to set us up.

Biggs- typical performance but would actually have Prudden ahead of him.

Webb- quiet but hit the clutch goal.

English- love the look of this kid. He was on and off a lot, again not sure if it's management for next week but doesn't look ready for AFL load to me. Massive belief in him though. Looks a nature in ruck, can play as a flanker and reads play well when helping out down back/in packs (a bit like Roughy).

Campbell- really struggles around the ground.

Hamilton- in and out of the game but had a few valuable inside 50 entries.

Collins- not a great game defensively however I think his kicking skills have improved.

Crameri- in and out of the game. Needs more time in the VFL.

[Eastdog]

Re: Round 4 - 2017, Footscray Bulldogs v Richmond

Thanks all, where's Honeychurch at now?

I was wondering that as well. Could he have an injury maybe I'm not sure.

[G-Mo77]

Re: Round 4 - 2017, Footscray Bulldogs v Richmond

I believe Redpath kicked 6. GMo was on the money

After taking hundreds of potshots I was always going to get one right. LOL.

[Bornadog]

Re: Round 4 - 2017, Footscray Bulldogs v Richmond

After taking hundreds of potshots I was always going to get one right. LOL.

Yep you were spot on - Twitter feed was wrong.

[G-Mo77]

Re: Round 4 - 2017, Footscray Bulldogs v Richmond

Just a few extra notes to add to soupamans review.

15. Campbell: was decent and clunked some nice marks. Didn't partiuclarly stand out though. Good enough to be picked but didn't demand it.

I thought he was the dominant big on the ground. His tap work in the middle was just first class.

24. Biggs: Classic Biggs game with a lot of in tight handballs. Didn't really find much space but was ok.

What pleased me about Biggs' game was the never die attitude. There was some real desperation in his game on Saturday.

26. Hamilton: I was actually really pleased with his game. Moved well through traffic, you can see him think through situations and he had some very clever kicks. Reminded me of Gia.

Really clean and I was thoroughly impressed with his game. Best I've seen him play!

31. Dale: BOG by a mile. Accumulated the ball, and was attacking and direct in possesion. Kicked a good goal towards the end, and took some good marks. Was unlucky to be dropped and i don't see how he misses out this week.

Yeah on that performance he is in for mine. Simply outstanding.

33. Young: Appeared to be swapping with NMM, playing back the first half and then forward the second. Took some very nice marks including one on the goalline. Also demnstrated he is hopeless at those set shots where you line up next to the point post.

Some of his defensive work was horrible, at one stage got out worked by a much smaller and shorter opponent. Lot of work to be done here but he was always a pick with the long game in mind.

40. Mullenger-McHugh: Swapped with Young, only had a couple of touches but was ok. Attacks the ball in flight and is a dead ringer for Ryan Hargrave.

Really like this kid. Needs to work on consistency but a lot to work with there.

43. Redpath: Was dominant up forward, taking some ripper contested marks and pulled off some really aggressive spoils as well. Looked great.

That 3 on one spoil was fantastic. Brought the ball to ground and allowed us to swoop in and sneak a goal through. Looked in great shape. Looked a little leaner but stronger if that makes sense?