The Western Bulldogs’ return to the AFLW playing field has ended in valiant defeat to the Greater Western Sydney Giants.

Twenty days since their opening round game - with two postponed matches in between - the Dogs travelled to New South Wales and put in a spirited performance, but ultimately fell short by 21 points.

The Bulldogs were ultimately undone by inaccuracy and missed opportunities, despite long periods of dominance throughout the contest.

They finished with a whopping 12 more inside 50s, four more scoring shots, 15 more contested possessions and 15 more inside 50 tackles than their opponents, yet were on the wrong end of the result.

The Giants kicked seven goals from eight scoring shots - including three to Nicola Barr – while the Dogs could manage just two majors from 12 shots.

Defender Eleanor Brown was a shining light in a losing cause with 19 disposals and five marks, while midfielders Kirsty Lamb (18 possessions and a game-high nine clearances) and Jess Fitzgerald (10 tackles) toiled hard for the four quarters.

Richelle Cranston collected 14 disposals and kicked her first goal in Bulldogs colours - a long-range set shot as the quarter time siren rang.

The Bulldogs now have just four days to recover before taking on the in-form Fremantle Dockers at VU Whitten Oval on Tuesday night.

MATCH DETAILS
Greater Western Sydney              3.0          5.1          5.1          7.1 (43)
Western Bulldogs                          1.4          1.4          2.8          2.10 (22)

GOALS:
Greater Western Sydney: Barr 3, Stephenson 2, Staunton, Doyle
Western Bulldogs: Cranston, Blackburn

BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Barr, Parker, Eva, Pease, Grierson
Western Bulldogs: Brown, Lamb, Cranston, Fitzgerald, Blackburn