The Western Bulldogs have completed their 2023 NAB AFLW season with a 46-point loss to North Melbourne at VU Whitten Oval in Pride Round.

Despite a bright opening, the red, white and blue couldn’t stay with a rampant finals-bound Kangaroos, finishing 7.13 (55) to 1.3 (9). 

The Bulldogs were saved more scoreboard pain thanks to a gritty defensive performance from their backs, and North Melbourne's inaccuracy.

In the face of 41 inside 50s from the visiting side, the Dogs conceded seven goals while teenager Aurora Smith (five intercepts, nine disposals) worked hard to be aggressive and creative out of the back half.

Skipper Ellie Blackburn was the clear standout for the home side again with 30 touches, while Gabby Newton managed 18 disposals, all by foot, during the contest.

The only major came via Brit Gutknecht.

Ash Riddell and Jas Garner were the dominant players on the ground for North with 67 touches and two goals between them. 

The match also marked outgoing Richelle Cranston's final outing, Bailey Hunt's 50th and a debut for train-on player Sarah Skinner.

The Bulldogs conclude their campaign with the one victory in 2023. 

WESTERN BULLDOGS       0.0    0.0    0.1    1.3 (9)
NORTH MELBOURNE         3.3    4.9    5.11   7.13 (55)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Gutknecht
North Melbourne: Garner 2, E.King, Shierlaw, Gavalas, Randall, O'Shea

BEST 
Western Bulldogs: Smith, Blackburn, Georgostathis, Grant, Newton
North Melbourne: Kearney, Garner, Riddell, Rennie, Smith

INJURIES 
Western Bulldogs: Nil
North Melbourne: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Western Bulldogs: Millie Brown (knee soreness) and Heidi Woodley (shoulder), replaced in the selected side by Sarah Skinner and Dominique Carbone 
North Melbourne: Mia King (general soreness), replaced in the selected side by Ruby Tripodi

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 2,608 at Whitten Oval