The Northern Blues have been given a harsh reality check by reigning premiers Footscray, going down by 103 points against at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues were battered from start to finish with the Dogs putting them to the sword from the get-go, on their way to 21. 15. (141) to 5. 8. (38) thumping.
Failing to take advantage of the breeze in the first quarter, the Blues were comprehensively outplayed by Footscray to trail by 16 points at the first change.
A second quarter where the Dogs kicked 8.6 to 2.0 set the tone for the game, with the first four of those coming through undisciplined acts in the Blues’ defensive 50.
Footscray had nine individual goal kickers at half time, with Nathan Hrovat the chief instigator with three goals to his name at the main break.
The story was much the same in the second half, with only goals through Matthew Watson and Fraser Russell providing moments of relief for the Blues during the Footscray rout.
A ruthless Footscray had far too many contributors across the board, the Bulldogs boasting an inside 50 differential of 34 to the good (63-29).
Footscray simply dominated the ball, cracking the 400 possession mark with Shane Biggs (29 disposals) and ex-Blue Jordan Russell (28 disposals) the major ball winners for the Dogs.
It was left to Lachie Hunter - who combined well with Hrovat and Will Hayes all afternoon - to extend the margin beyond 100 points in the last minute of the game.
Watson, Liam Jones and Jayden Foster were given very little room to move up forward, in completely different conditions to last week’s demolition job of Frankston.
Given the limited opportunity, Foster was particularly efficient up forward with two of his side’s five goals for the game.
After losing 133 games of VFL experience since the victory over Frankston, the magnitude of the loss meant it was a 260-point turnaround from last week’s win.
Matthew Dick was a clear best for the Blues, collecting 34 disposals through the midfield and off half back, while Brad Walsh was typically resolute to finish with 20 possessions.
Kristian Jaksch was resolute down back on a difficult day for the Blues, standing up well under considerable pressure with the Blues inundated with defensive 50 entries.
Speaking post-match, Fraser Russell lamented his side’s inability to dictate terms throughout the game.
“It is disappointing, it’s a far cry from where we were last week where we played how we wanted,” Russell said.
“We went away from that today and played into their hands, so all we can do now is hopefully bounce back next week and really bring it to Richmond.”
Only mustering 13 scoring shots and 29 inside 50s from 346 disposals, Russell said the Blues’ inefficiency needed to be addressed.
“I think it was our ball movement and intent at the footy at times,” he said.
“We didn’t move the ball how we wanted and that cost us heavily.
“The end result showed that they were all over us, and after the performance last week it’s all the more disappointing.”
The Blues will be looking to bounce back next Saturday against Richmond at Preston City Oval. The game will be broadcast on 7sport’s VFL coverage from 12pm.
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS 4.2 12.8 18.13 21.15 (141)
NORTHERN BLUES 1.3 3.3 4.5 5.8 (38)
GOALS
FOOTSCRAY: Hayes 4, Hrovat 3, Hunter 3, Cordy 2, Crameri 2, Fort 2, Dale, Hamilton, Pearce, Prismall, Webb.
NORTHERN BLUES: Foster 2, Aujla, Watson, Russell.
BEST
FOOTSCRAY: Hayes, Biggs, Hunter, Russell, Darley, Prismall
NORTHERN BLUES: Dick, Bransgrove, Fields, Walsh, Jaksch, McGuinness
