The Central Park-St Brendan's product collected a five-wicket haul and top-scored with the bat as the Bulldogs held on for a narrow 19-run win.
The victory keeps Footscray within striking distance of the Victorian Premier Cricket top-eight as the competition nears the pointy end of the season.
But the chances of playing finals were almost squashed against Casey-South Melbourne in the round 13 contest.
With his side struggling at 5-27, Winter-Irving (39 runs) made an important 70-run partnership with teammate Dylan Kight.
The pair's heroics ensured Footscray reached a defendable total of 140.
Winter-Irving then tore through the Swans’ batting line-up with an impeccable bowling spell to finish with 5-22 from nine overs.
Euroa's Georgia Gall made history at the weekend.
The teenage opening quick became the first female to feature in Geelong Grammar's first XI outfit.
Gall, who joined WBBL outfit Melbourne Stars last year, bowled eight overs and finished with 0-30 in the loss to Melbourne Grammar.
The left-arm seamer joins her Stars captain Meg Lanning on the list of females to play first-grade cricket in the APS system.
And Seymour's Maddi Albers collected 2-29 for Carlton-Brunswick in women's premier action.
In women's thirds action, Tatura product Alyse O'Connell helped guide Carlton to a four-wicket semi-final win over Ringwood.
The teenager remained unbeaten on 13 runs as Carlton chased down the target of 8-156 with three overs to spare.
O'Connell and Carlton will take on Dandenong in the grand final this weekend.
Meanwhile, Geelong secured a thrilling two-wicket victory over fellow premier men's top-eight outfit St Kilda.
Geelong chased down the Saints’ total of 9-211 thanks to the effort of Karramomus’ Josh McDonald (33 runs), and Central Park-St Brendan's brother duo Josh and Tyler Larkin.
Moama's Todd Murphy battled hard for St Kilda and snared 2-32 from his 10 overs.
Tatura's Michael Archer and the Tigers’ Connor Hayes were unable to help Greenvale Kangaroos get over the line against Prahran.
In premier seconds action, Old Students and Karramomus product James Billington returned with a bang for Prahran.
After a stint in South Australian premier cricket for East Torrens, Billington returned to the Navy Blues in emphatic fashion by crafting a magical century.
The opening bat crunched 101 runs from 135 deliveries as Prahran chased down Greenvale's target of 231 with seven wickets in hand.
Lastly, Shepparton United product Sam Nash claimed 3-25 for Camberwell in its comfortable 55-run win over Essendon.
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