The VFL Tigers suffered a heartbreaking loss to Footscray on Saturday evening, going down by 7 points to the reigning premiers at Etihad Stadium.

In a much-awaited curtain-raiser to Richmond’s AFL clash with the Western Bulldogs, the Tigers got out to a 33-point lead at the first break, but were unable to hold on against the fast-finishing Bulldogs.

Ryan Bathie was a standout performer in his first game of VFL football for 2017 with four goals, while Tyson Stengle and Ben Lennon also impressed with three goals each.

Jacob Ballard, Sam Darley and Connor Menadue were the most effective with ball in hand, each gathering 24 disposals.

Youngster Shai Bolton was another key performer, with 21 disposals and two goals playing through both the midfield and forward line.

The first quarter went exactly to plan for Craig McRae’s side, scoring seven goals to establish a strong lead.

Lennon nailed two in quick succession, while Bolton’s tackling and nuisance-value was rewarded with a well taken goal from 25 metres out. 

Bathie nailed his first of the year with a clever piece of crumbing, before a stunning one-handed mark and goal from Sam Lloyd had the crowd on their feet.

However, the 2016 VFL premiers soon rose to the challenge in the second term, and by the main break were well and truly back in the contest.

Despite the best efforts of Hugh Beasley and Daniel Coffield in the backline, Footscray’s Jack Redpath was in inspired form on his return to competitive football, kicking two of his eventual five goals in the second term 

Steven Morris, playing a mix of midfield and defence, was proving to be a menace in the centre, gathering 14 disposals and three clearances as the VFL Tigers tried to stem the flow of Footscray’s attacking pressure.

He was well deputised by the hard-working Connor Mendaue, who managed to poll 18 disposals and seven marks while still providing plenty of his trademark gut-running.

With a spot in the VFL’s top four on the line, Footscray came out firing early in the third term, but Bathie imposed himself again with a huge ten-minute stretch.

After picking off a Lennon pass and firing home for his second, Bathie twice found himself in a vacant goal square, taking his tally for the day to four and getting the lead out to 16 points. 

A defensive error shortly after led to Mitch Wallis reducing the lead for the Bulldogs, and eventually the margin at the final change stalled at an even two goals.

Unfortunately, in a frenetic final quarter, it proved to be a disappointing result for the travellers, as the Bulldogs eventually scrapped their way to a seven-point lead by the final siren.

After getting out to a seven-point lead with three quick goals, the Bulldogs’ plans to seal the match were hampered by Callum Moore, who took a trademark flying mark and kicked truly to reduce the deficit to a single point.

It was then Lloyd’s turn again to add a touch of class to the match, slotting home from 40 out after another Bulldogs’ goal to keep his side in touching distance.

Two quick fire goals to Lennon and Max O’Sullivan then had the VFL Tigers leading by 11 points in a pulsating goal-for-goal affair.

Ryan Garthwaite was doing his part in keeping Bulldogs star Stewart Crameri quiet, with two of his four tackles coming in key battles with the former Essendon forward.

However, quick gaols to Bailey Dale and Lukas Webb saw the lead snatched back, and while a late Stengle goal gave the Tigers some hope, a Redpath goal on the siren proved to be the nail in the coffin for a thrilling encounter against two of the league’s best.

The VFL Tigers will look to bounce back next Sunday when they face the undefeated Box Hill Hawks at Box Hill City Oval at 12pm.

RICHMOND 17.9 111 def. by FOOTSCRAY 17.16 118

Goals - Bathie 4, Lennon 3, Stengle 3, Bolton 2, Lloyd 2, O'Sullivan 2, Moore.