By Will Jeffares
A strong Footscray outfit has proved too strong for Frankston in perfect conditions at Kinetic Stadium on Sunday afternoon, fending off the Dolphins to record a 27-point win in an entertaining clash between the two sides.
Despite the loss, results around the league mean that Frankston has secured their spot in the Top 10 and will play in the Wildcard Round after the conclusion of the home and away season, as they chase a spot in the final eight.
The Bulldogs side, which featured several experienced AFL-listed talent, were able to pull away from the Dolphins in the second half, kicking eight goals to four, on their way to the 11.8 (74) to 16.5 (101) result.
It was around stoppages where Footscray was able to find dominance over Frankston, winning the clearance count 53 to 35, as their midfield make-up of Jack Macrae, Ryley Sanders, James Harmes and Harvey Gallagher showed their class and talent throughout the contest.
For a second consecutive week, it was another free-flowing affair at Kinetic Stadium. Ryan Gardner kicked the opener for Footscray before Trent Mynott snapped home a response as Angus Grant and Jack Newnes added to the tally to make it three consecutive majors for the Dolphins as they opened up a two-goal lead over the visitors.
Gallagher and Macrae would then combine for two in a minute for Footscray as they levelled proceedings. A great defensive play from both Josh Smith and Blake O’Leary stopped a Bulldog attack before the ball quickly went down the other end and ended with Justin Davies kicking a major in his first appearance for the Dolphins in 2024.
Macrae once again levelled the scores with his second of the day, while a late Charlie Clarke goal saw Footscray finish the term with a seven-point lead.
The Bulldogs would then kick the first of the second term early to get the margin back beyond two goals before Josh Butland soccered through a quickfire response and Taine Barlow slotted a long bomb for his first goal of the season in his 50th VFL game to cut the margin back to under a kick.
After Footscray got one back to create a bit of breathing room, Frankston would respond with Matt Johnson kicking truly from his set shot after winning himself a freekick inside 50.
A late Harvey Gallagher goal would again see Footscray hold a seven-point lead at the main break.
Lachie Sharp made it a strong start for the Dolphins in the second half,threading the needle from a tough angle to bring the scores level once again. However, three consecutive goals from Footscray soon after would see them regain and extend the lead to 17 points.
Defender Ollie Moran bobbed up forward to kick his first at VFL level, but another goal from Footscray late had their lead sitting at 18 points at three-quarter time.
A snap from Oskar Baker in the opening minute of the final term saw the margin extended to 24 points. After a flurry of Frankston behinds, Josh Stern would convert from the set shot to get the margin back under three goals but two more majors to the visitors pushed the margin out to 28 points.
Tyson Milne would get on the scoresheet late, but Footscray would kick the final goal of the contest as they ran out 27-point victors.
Dashing defender George Grey was swung into the midfield during the game to inject some pace and penetration into the middle and was among the best, finishing with a team-high 30 disposals and collecting eight marks in what was a fine performance.
Ruckman Angus Grant (one goal, 47 hitouts, five clearances, six tackles) continued to shoulder the load in the ruck and battled hard all afternoon in another promising performance, while Jackson Voss (26 disposals, eight marks) was also important for the Dolphins.
Ollie Moran put in arguably his best game of the season, collecting 18 disposals and 12 marks to go along with a major in an encouraging display. Milestone man Taine Barlow (one goal, 17 disposals, eight marks) was also a strong contributor on the day.
Frankston now faces an unofficial ‘pre-finals bye’ of their own next week as they await their fate in the Wildcard Round, with next week’s fixtures set to decide who the Dolphins will face in their hunt for finals.
FRANKSTON 4.0 7.1 9.4 11.8 (74)
FOOTSCRAY 5.1 8.2 12.4 16.5 (101)
GOALS
Stern, Sharp, Newnes, Mynott, Moran, Milne, Johnson, Grant, Davies, Butland, Barlow
BEST
Grey, Moran, Grant, Voss, Barlow
