A frenetic final quarter comeback has secured Footscray an emotional VFL grand final victory, with the Bulldogs beating reigning premiers Box Hill on Sunday by 22 points.
The AFL’s Western Bulldogs chose to end their VFL affiliation with Williamstown last year and so for the first time in almost two decades, the name Footscray returned to elite competition as they entered a team in the Victorian league.
For the success-starved club and their supporters, the 16.13 (109) to 13.9 (87) grand final win was the Bulldogs’ first major trophy since they won their only VFL/AFL premiership in 1954.
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Despite Box Hill’s loss, there was some good news for AFL affiliates Hawthorn as star forward Cyril Rioli made it through his first game in three months and declared himself fit for grand final selection next Saturday against Sydney.
Brad Sewell and Ben McEvoy were taken out of Box Hill’s side on Sunday, adding to the selection intrigue that will surround Hawthorn in grand final week.
Box Hill led by three goals early in the last quarter, but mounting injuries took their toll.
While Billy Hartung (groin) and Luke Andrews (knee) were unable to play the final term, the medical staff decided that Rioli had done enough and would not return to the field.
Leading by a goal at the last break, Box Hill kicked the first two goals of the final term and were close to breaking the match open.
But a stirring run of three goals in three minutes from AFL players Tory Dickson, Liam Jones and Jack Redpath levelled the scores midway through the quarter.
The Bulldogs had all the momentum as Norm Goss Medallist Brett Goodes and Lin Jong took control of the midfield.
After a frantic 10 minutes of play, Christian Howard put the `Dogs in the lead when he snapped accurately from the boundary line.
Two late goals from Jones, who ended the match with five from just eight kicks, sealed the victory.
Coach Chris Marple said it had been a remarkable run by his team.
When the club had decided to stand alone in the VFL, it wasn’t even sure it would be able to field a side.
“To do what we have done is pretty special – words can’t describe how I am feeling,” he said.
“We know we are going in the right direction and the Bulldogs’ style of play stands up in finals footy.”
The match was played in front of 23,816 mostly Bulldogs fans, the highest crowd for the VFL in 25 years.
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