Richmond VFL has handed its second defeat of the season by the Footscray Bulldogs, going down by 31 points on Sunday afternoon at the Swinburne Centre.

The Tigers stuck with the ladder-leading Bulldogs for much of the game, however a fast finish from the visitors proved to be the difference in the end, with the full-time score reading 13.7 (85) to 17.14 (116).

In the opening term, the Tigers started strongly. Sam Davidson’s back-to-back majors gave the hosts momentum before Nicholas Collier converted his first goal as a VFL Tiger.

It was a very efficient showing from the Tigers in the opening term, and seven scores from 12 entries saw them establish an 11-point quarter-time lead.

A highlight for Richmond early in the second quarter was Matthew Coulthard’s sensational snap from the pocket.

However, a six-goal blitz from the Bulldogs separated Tiger majors. In a dominant 15-minute period, the visitors turned a 17-point deficit into a 22-point lead of their own, after kicking six goals in a row from eight inside 50s.

Despite the Tigers having just nine disposals in a thirteen-minute patch, they responded strongly on the breath of half-time with majors against the grain from Jacob Koschitzke and Kane McAuliffe.

McAuliffe performed well on the day with 25 disposals, 10 tackles and two goals.

The Tigers had nullified some of the damage done by the Bulldogs in the second quarter and went into the main break trailing by nine points.

The fast start from the Bulldogs in the second half saw the hosts trail by 21 points early on.

However, majors from Steely Green (seven disposals, 10 tackles, one goal), McAuliffe and Liam George saw the Tigers regain the lead in the third term.

George, a late inclusion into the match, performed strongly with seven disposals, two marks and three goals.

For the second time in the match, it was four goals in a row for the Tigers.

The Bulldogs eventually broke the Tigers’ run of goals via Buku Khamis, who kicked back-to-back goals and was causing problems for Richmond’s defence.

A positive for the Tigers in defence was the performance from Jacob Bauer (11 disposals, three marks), who was solid in his return game and took a couple of strong intercept marks.

At the other end of the ground, tall forward Sam Davidson (14 disposals, five marks, two goals), was also lively for the hosts.

Eight points separated the two sides going into the final term. Samson Ryan’s goal early in the fourth term got his side to within three points, however the Bulldogs responded with two of their own to extend their lead to 15 points.

Late in the quarter, Jacob Koschitzke’s second goal of the afternoon gave the hosts some hope, however, an instant response from the visitors iced the game.

The Bulldogs’ late three-goals saw the full time margin sit at 31 points.

The Tigers now sit in sixth on the ladder, and will look ahead to their next challenge against the Sandringham Zebras on Sunday, May 19 at Trevor Barker Oval.

Richmond 4.3 7.4 11.6 13.7

Footscray 2.4 8.7 12.8 17.14

Goalkickers: George (3), McAuliffe (2), Koschitzke (2), Davidson (2), Collier, Green, Ryan, Coulthard

Best: McAuliffe, McIntosh, George, McCarthy, Davidson, Brindley, Wilson