The Western Bulldogs have stormed to a 21-point upset win over Richmond to claim their first victory of the AFLW season.
In a see-sawing contest at Ikon Park, the Bulldogs claimed five of the final six goals of the game to prevail 6.6 (42) to 3.3 (21) and strike a blow to the Tigers’ finals hopes.
Heidi Woodley kicked the sealer for the Dogs.Credit: AFL Photos
Isabelle Pritchard (19 disposals, 14 contested possessions, one goal) was magnificent, with support from Jessica Fitzgerald (18 disposals).
Isabella Grant (17 disposals, 11 intercept possessions) kept Richmond skipper Katie Brennan goalless, while the Tigers had no answers for ruck Alice Edmonds (33 hitouts).
Elaine Grigg (six score involvements and a goal) sparked the Bulldogs early – but could come under some scrutiny for a dangerous tackle on Monique Conti.
The Bulldogs celebrate their upset win.Credit: AFL Photos
Conti (21 disposals, six clearances, 12 tackles, 12 contested possessions) and Ellie McKenzie (17 disposals) were Richmond’s best.
Veteran Ellie Blackburn, sidelined last year with a nasty foot injury, celebrated the Bulldogs’ impressive response to their first-up loss to Melbourne.
“Personally, it’s been a long time between wins for me,” Blackburn told Fox Footy.
“But for the group itself, we tried really hard this week to get back to the way we wanted to be able to play, off the back of last week, which was relatively disappointing for us.
“So to come out today and play a really nice brand of footy, kick some goals late in the game, and see some girls kick their first goal and celebrate – awesome win for us.
“… I feel like I’m a new kid. I have a newfound love for the game again.
“I’m like the eight-year-old version of me that’s just living her childhood dream at the moment.”
Grigg kicked off the game with a thumping tackle on McKenzie and then delivered the Dogs’ first goal.
But Paige Scott put the Tigers in front after the quarter-time siren, while Caitlin Greiser extended their lead to six early in the second term.
The Bulldogs regained control, leading by seven at half-time and maintaining that lead at three-quarter-time.
Richmond’s Beth Lynch took an incredible mark going back with the flight early in the final term.
But it wasn’t enough to inspire a comeback.
Heidi Woodley snapped a wonderful goal through traffic to seal the deal, then Pritchard turned Sunday afternoon into party time.
The Bulldogs (1-1) next play Hawthorn at Whitten Oval on Saturday while Richmond (0-2) face Essendon in Darwin on Friday night.
AAP
