Here are three things we took from Saturday’s 19-point win over Port Adelaide.
1. Dogs can keep emotions in check
There’s no denying it was an emotionally-charged win on Saturday afternoon, with the Bulldogs losing Brit Gutknecht to a broken leg on the eve of half-time.
There was roughly 90 seconds to play in the second half when Gutknecht went down, but took nearly 30 minutes before play could resume as the 21-year-old departed the field in an ambulance.
Speaking to Fox Footy’s Cath Durkin at the main break, Ellie Blackburn conceded the group would need to galvanise – and that they did.
If not for inaccuracy the Dogs could have come away with a much larger triumph, slotting 2.3 to Port’s 0.2 in the second half to claim a gutsy win in enemy territory.
2. Isabelle Pritchard continues to grow
Coach Nathan Burke was full of post-match praise for young Bulldog Isabelle Pritchard, who seems to have picked up season seven where she left off.
The 20-year-old claimed an AFLW Rising Star nomination in the final round of season six, and has continued that form across the opening two rounds.
After making the move from defence to the midfield – and spending most of her time against Port Adelaide on the wing – she is averaging 17.5 disposals, three tackles and three clearances this season.
With only 16 games under her belt, the lifelong Bulldogs supporter has plenty of footy ahead of her too.
3. Two from two
For the first time since 2019, and first time under coach Nathan Burke, the Bulldogs have started a season 2-0.
In their seven-season history they have never opened a season better, but will have the chance to do so when they host the yet-to-win Fremantle on Friday night to launch Indigenous Round.
The start is made even more impressive when you consider the Bulldogs’ round two team was the second youngest side over the weekend, at an average age of 23 years and 221 days old.
The Dogs are one of six teams this season yet to register defeat, currently sitting in fifth spot on the ladder with a percentage of 160.5%, and by the end of round three could be one of just four teams still undefeated.
