Ayce Cordy in match-winning performance Brent Diamond
The Age
June 20, 2015 - 6:23PM Footscray coach Ash Hansen described Western Bulldogs ruckman Ayce Cordy's performance as "match winning" after he kicked six goals in the Dogs' two-point victory over Richmond at Punt Road Oval on Saturday.
The reigning premiers' top-four hopes remain alive after levelling their season at 4-4 ahead of a blockbuster clash with Sandringham next week.
But any chance of Richmond making the VFL finals appears dashed. The Tigers dropped to second last with a 2-7 record.
Despite plenty riding on the result, there seemed a lack of urgency in the final quarter from both teams. It was as if Footscray fell over the line, rather than winning it. They kicked 2.9 to 1.1 after trailing by two goals at the last change.
This was one that got away for the Tigers as they appeared to have all of the momentum. Sam Lloyd's high-flyer and goal gave them an 11-point buffer, before Kane Lambert snapped another late in the third quarter. Cordy's mammoth mark and fifth goal after the three-quarter-time siren reduced the deficit to within two kicks. The Bulldogs were prepared to kick long to their tall targets in the final term, but it was one of the smalls – Caleb Daniel – who kicked the first.
Soon after, the Dogs found a mismatch with Cordy grabbing another mark in front of Tiger skipper Chris Newman and kicked his sixth to put the visitors in front.
It was shortlived, however, as Ed Barlow, with his 17th disposal, kicked the Tigers' only goal of the term. From then, the Dogs peppered away at the goals. Mitch Honeychurch ran into the open goal and missed. Dale Morris had the opportunity for a fairytale return from injury, but failed to take a grab in the goal square and the ball trickled through for a behind.
Shane Biggs, with 31 touches running off half-back, was a key to the victory.
Cordy's efforts were considered a "great reward for playing some consistent footy over the last couple of years at VFL level" by coach Ash Hansen.
http://www.watoday.com.au/afl/ayce-cordy-in-matchwinning-performance-20150620-ght77v.htmlWestern Bulldogs defender Dale Morris and Richmond veteran Chris Newman also got through unscathed in their returns from injury in their VFL clash at Punt Road Oval.
Richmond's Newman was relatively quiet for much of the match. Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said this week that he will be challenged to win a spot back into the senior team. It was his second consecutive VFL match on return from a groin injury.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/carltons-michael-jamison-impressive-on-return-20150620-ght6te.html
