A LATE Gabby Newton goal has seen the Western Bulldogs continue their perfect start to the season, while Fremantle has slumped to a 0-3 start in season seven. 

Young Dog Rylie Wilcox starred as the Bulldogs fought out a three-point win, 3.5 (23) to Fremantle's 3.2 (20) at Ikon Park on Friday evening. 

In what was a mirror image of the matchup between the two sides last season, the Bulldogs snatched the win late after an entertaining arm wrestle of a game. 

Fremantle worked exceptionally hard from the opening siren to re-establish their brand after a less-than-ideal start to the season.

Led by Kiara Bowers (17 disposals, eight clearances) and Hayley Miller (16 disposals, seven tackles) in the middle, the Dockers found some real strength at the contest then, crucially, spread hard to create options to transition forward.

Ruck Mim Strom's positioning behind then ball and Aine Tighe's running in attack set them up well right from the start. 

But it was the Dogs' ability to take repeated contested marks down the ground to control the ball in the second half that put them in a winning position. 

With neat handballs through the corridor, the Dogs moved the ball inside 50 consistently, but the work of Emma O'Driscoll in the air, and a lack of pressure applied at ground level meant they didn't quite make the most of the chances they created.

Once they did find that forward pressure, however, the Dogs looked very dangerous in attack, with a strong tackle from third-gamer Heidi Woodley creating a set shot for Gabby Newton which put them in front early in the final quarter. 

Once Newton sparked the Bulldogs, they were able to play out the remainder of the game with the controlled game style that saw them win their opening two games, largely set up by Elle Bennetts on the wing and Katie Lynch out of defence. 

The Dogs have got themselves a good one 
With pick No.21 in the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft, the Western Bulldogs selected small, athletic winger Rylie Wilcox, and three games in to her AFLW career, she already looks like a special player. Playing a disciplined game on the outside, Wilcox's impeccable skills are backed up by an elite footy IQ. In the second quarter as the Dogs were searching for an avenue to goal, it was Wilcox who stood up, getting on the end of a kick inside 50 and gathering the ground ball at full speed before slotting her first goal in AFLW beautifully from deep in the pocket - and celebrated accordingly. 

Fremantle's tall duo is vital 
While discussions of Fremantle are generally centred around their midfield stars Hayley Miller and Kiara Bowers, it is a different pair who stood out against the Bulldogs. Ruck Mim Strom and forward Aine Tighe's impact, particularly in the first half, was key to getting the Dockers off to a strong start. Strom was starting in the ruck, and then pushing into defence to help her backline contain Celine Moody who was parked at full forward, while Tighe's ability to transition from the aerial ball to impacting at ground level created her side's first two goals.  

What's next? 
The Western Bulldogs will head to Box Hill City Oval to take on expansion side Hawthorn, while Fremantle returns to Fremantle Oval to host Carlton. 

WESTERN BULLDOGS             1.0     2.1     2.3     3.5     (23)  
FREMANTLE                            1.1     2.2     3.2     3.2     (20)  

GOALS  
Western Bulldogs: Cranston, Wilcox, Newton 
Fremantle: Tighe, East, Kauffman 

BEST   
Western Bulldogs: Wilcox, Lamb, Blackburn, Fitzgerald, Georgostathis 
Fremantle: Strom, Bowers, Miller, O'Driscoll, Pugh 

INJURIES   

Western Bulldogs: Nil 
Fremantle: Nil 

Reports: Nil  

Crowd: 1,058 at Ikon Park