The Footscray Bulldogs have strung together two consecutive wins, defeating ladder leaders Richmond by 58-points at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday afternoon.

In his return to football following an ankle injury, midfielder Mitch Wallis gathered 22 disposals and six tackles, alongside brother Josh Wallis (22 disposals, four tackles) who captained the side for the third consecutive week.

The Footscray midfield proved too strong for the Tigers, winning the forward 50 entries (56-45), delivering the ball to nine individual goalkickers. Anthony Scott continued his impressive form booting four majors, while Jordan Boyd booted three in his first game in red, white and blue.

Bailey Dale was the Bulldogs’ most influential, collecting 27 touches, six tackles and two goals, while Rhylee West also performed well against the Tigers, booting two goals and collecting 25 disposals.

Will Hayes (26 disposals, eight marks) and Reuben William (four tackles, eight disposals) both impacted the scoreboard, while Jordon Sweet (39 hit-outs, three marks) and Laitham Vandermeer (18 disposals, three marks) also kicked a major of their own.

The ‘Scray’s strong defensive pressure kept Richmond’s forwards at bay throughout the games entirety, lead by Dale Morris (seven marks, three tackles) in his second game back.

Footscray take on the Casey Demons in a curtain raiser game before the Western Bulldogs face Melbourne, next Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium.

MATCH DETAILS

Footscray 5.0 9.3 10.5 17.7 (109)

Richmond 3.2 4.3 6.7 7.9 (51)

GOALS

Footscray: Scott 4, Boyd 3, Dale 2, West 2, William 2, Hayes, Nash, Sweet, Vandermeer.

Richmond: Markov 2, Nelson 2, Coleman-Jones, Fletcher, Higgins.

BEST

Footscray: Dale, Scott, West, Morris, J. Wallis, Hayes