The Zebras, who have been hit hard recently with injuries to St Kilda-listed players, struggled all day to create any meaningful passages of play, with the Dogs putting on a clinic in defensive pressure and link play.
Sam Dunell was one of the shining lights for Sandringham, with his run-and-carry and vision on display for all to see.
Footscray was on the front foot right from the first bounce, applying a frenetic pressure that prevented Sandringham from maintaining possession, resulting in constant turnovers from the Zebras that the Dogs were more than happy to capitalise on.
With the ball locked almost exclusively in the Footscray forward line, the Dogs were able to kick four goals within the first eight minutes to open up a 24-point lead over the Zebras – a buffer that remained for the duration of the contest.
Western Bulldog recruit Marcus Bontempelli was the main instigator for the Dogs, kicking the first three goals of the game and assisting in another as Sandringham struggled to contain the young star’s influence.
In a quarter devoid of highlights for the Zebras, the hard running of Sam Dunell and the exquisite finishing of Darren Minchington were the standouts - with Dunell pivotal in nearly all of the Zebra’s forward forays and Minchington kicking a beautiful running goal – Sandringham’s sole goal for the quarter.
It was more of the same during the second quarter for the Zebras. After being an arm wrestle for the first nine minutes, the Dogs ran rampant over the next 12 minutes, kicking five unanswered goals to stretch the lead out to 54 points as the Zebras had little in the way of answers.
Sandringham was able to provide a flicker of hope late in the second quarter, steadying somewhat to kick three of the last five goals – including the final two of the quarter to trail by 47 points at the main change.
With a quick goal to Sandringham captain Adam Cockie right after the break, the Zebras looked to have come out in the second half with some serious intent.
A defensive turnover while having all the momentum however, handed Footscray the opportunity to steady – an opportunity the Dogs happily took.
The Dogs were irresistible at their best during the third quarter, with only two goals from Kenny Ong adding any highlights for the Zebras, with the margin sitting at 61 points at the final change.
After a disappointing three quarters, Sandringham coach Simon McPhee urged his team to play for pride and self-respect in the final quarter.
Though the Dogs kicked the opening goal of the final quarter, the Zebras answered the coach’s three-quarter-time call, kicking five unanswered goals to bring some respectability back to the score line.
Sandringham will now look for a better performance next Saturday when it hosts Werribee at Trevor Barker Beach Oval from 2pm.
Footscray 5.2 12.4 17.7 19.8 122
Sandringham 1.2 4.5 7.6 12.10 82
Goals: Ong 2, Minchington, Murdoch, Savage, Dennis-Lane, Lee, Maister, Dunell, Zijai, Cockie, Munro
Best: Dunell, Cockie, Ong, Murdoch
