ADVERTISEMENT

Bulldogs inflict Adelaide’s first loss of the AFLW season

Fierce competition. It was a crowded scene as Adelaide tried to overcome the Western Bulldogs for a mark. PICTURE: PETER ARGENT
By Peter Argent

In a pulsating game of football, the Western Bulldogs after a desperate final minute, held off the Adelaide Crows for a thrilling one-point victory in the round six AFLW game at Norwood Oval, in hot and humid conditions last Sunday afternoon, February 13.

Across the first six round of the AFL women’s season, this was the biggest shock result so far.

The game was moved from its previous 2.40pm timeslot started two hours later, becoming a 4.40pm late afternoon contest.

Out of the blocks quickly, the Doggies kicked the opening three goals of the game and led by more two goals at each of the minor break.

Then the previous undefeated Crows team charged back into the contest in the final quarter.

Adelaide pushed relentlessly in this term kicked 3.2 to a goal and got to with a point with a minute remaining.

For the last 60 seconds of the contest had the entire 32 players on the field in the Crows forward 50, but the desperate Dogs prevented any score with stoppage after repeat stoppage.

When the siren sounded, sparking emotive celebrations through the entire Bulldogs team, the final score was the Western Bulldogs, an accurate 8.1 (49) defeated the Crows 7.6 (48).

“I haven’t been a part of a win that’s been as special as that one,” Western Bulldogs coach Nathan Burke said at the post game presser.

“They (the playing group) were amazing today, amazing.

“They not only gutsed it out but played some really really good footy.

“They were absolutely cooked, and I just kept asking them to give more and more and they did.”

Doggies skipper Ellie Blackburn was dominant with 23 disposals and an outstanding first quarter goal on the run.

Isabelle Pritchard and Kirsty Lamb and were high productive through the midfield, while Bonnie Toogood was a key target all day up forward and kicked two goals.

Celine Moody in ruck, Jess Fitzgerald and Naomi Ferres were also important components.

The visitors win was even more meritorious, as they lost two players in the first half, seeing the early departure of Aurora Smith (knee) and Brooke Lochland (concussion).

For the hosts, Ebony Marinoff had a match high 26 disposals, while fellow midfielder Anne Hatchard finished with 23 touches, while veteran Erin Phillips compiled 20.

Broken Hill export and basketball convert Eloise “EJ” Jones was a solid performer, while not having a telling impact on the contest. She finished the game with 10 disposals (six kicks and four handballs), along with laying three tackles.

Fellow Broken Hill girl Jasmine Simmons, after starting the year in the AFLW has spent time with Woodville West Torrens in the SANFL women’s competition.

Support the Barrier Truth!

We are a small, independently owned newspaper. If you got something from this article, giving something back helps us to continue publishing the truth from the Broken Hill region. Every little bit counts.

More Articles

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT