Footscray had started the season well with a 4 game winning streak from Rounds 2-5 but then lost 3 successive matches - 2 of those by over 100 points against top sides Essendon and North Melbourne. Coming up against another top team in ladder leaders Fitzroy at VFL Park in Round 9, the Bulldogs went into this game as rank outsiders but started well with 6 goals in the first quarter and kept extending their lead all day to eventually run out winners by 46 points - 22.13.145 to 13.21.99. This match was used to celebrate the centenaries of both clubs and they featured on the cover of the Football Record.
Footscray 22.13 (145) (Goals: Beasley 7, Royal 3, Edmond 2, Duperouzel 2, Stephen MacPherson 2, Sewell 2, Williams 2, Anderson, Kellett) defeated Fitzroy 13.21 (99) (Goals: Quinlan 4, McMahon 2, Wilson 2, Roos, Murnane, Sidebottom, Lokan, Carlson)
It would seem unbelievable given North's results against these teams during 1983 that the Bulldogs could beat the Lions, but with Rendell carrying an injury the Bulldogs' big men were able to win them the game.
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