Geelong’s VFL side was beaten by an an impressive Footscray outfit on Saturday night, 6.8 (44) to 16.10 (106).
Despite failing to kick a goal in the first term, the Cats fought hard in the second quarter to trail by only 13 points at the main break.
However, the experienced Bulldogs outfit, which featured AFL premiership players Tory Dickson, Clay Smith, Travis Cloke and Fletcher Roberts, came out firing in the second half.
The Dogs jumped out to a seven-goal advantage by three quarter time and were never troubled in the final term, running out 62-point victors.
Despite beating the Bulldogs when the two sides met earlier in the year, Shane O’Bree’s side were unable to keep up with the determined Bulldogs on Saturday night.
The Cats fielded a very inexperienced side and O’Bree believes that was a factor in the result but was still disappointed in his side.
“It is a bit of age difference and probably chemistry within the group as well but I expect more from all our boys,” O’Bree said.
“I reckon some of our effort wasn’t too bad, a lot of stuff that happened tonight was just deflating.
“We missed kicks, missed handballs, slipped over or missed tackles, the boys are trying but it’s just understanding the situation before it unfolds.”
O’Bree was impressed with the defensive effort of the Bulldogs as they restricted the Cats to only six goals for the match.
“They defended really well which affected our attack going inside forward 50,” he said.
“We bombed away too much and when we bombed away we should have hit short, they defended well and got us on the rebound.”
With a lack of AFL experience on the park, the VFL listed players stole the show for the Cats.
James Tsitas worked hard in the midfield, collecting 31 possessions, taking 10 marks whilst laying eight tackles.
Midfielders Jai Thompson (24 touches) and Ben Moloney (27 touches) also racked up a lot of the ball as they got great service in the ruck from Ryan Abbott (35 hitouts, 21 disposals).
Ben Reid fought admirably playing off half back with 21 disposals, 14 by foot and eight marks to be amongst the Cats’ best players.
Sam Dobson provided a target up forward kicking three goals from 16 possessions.
The VFL Cats will look to get back on the winners list next week when they take on Sandringham at Simonds Stadium.
VFL Round 13 – Bendigo Bank Cats 6.8 (44) def. by Footscray 16.10 (106)
Goals: Dobson 3, Ratugolea, Black, Thurlow
Best: Reid, Tsitas, Hayball, Abbott, Gow, Moloney
Reports: Nil
Injuries: Nil
@ Simonds Stadium, Geelong
