The Western Bulldogs’ AFLW season has come to an end at the hands of Collingwood in the Elimination Final.

The never-say-die Bulldogs launched a spirited second half comeback which almost saw them run down a 28-point deficit, but eventually they fell five points short.

The Dogs’ repeatedly launched the ball inside 50 in the frantic final stages of the last stanza as they desperately tried to keep their season alive.

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Pair of perfect plucks brings Dogs' first

Gabby Newton takes a great grab and finishes cooly after Celine Moody's strong hands

But the Magpies did enough to advance to the semi-finals, profiting from their work earlier in the game where they booted five of the first six majors.

The Magpies took a 15-point lead into the main break, and booted the first two goals of the third term – including Eliza James’ fourth – to extend the margin to almost five goals.

From the 10-minute mark of the third quarter though, the Bulldogs kept Collingwood goalless as they clawed their way back.

The Dogs’ mini revival started with back-to-back goals from Gabby Newton and Sarah Hartwig in the third term, which breathed life back into the contest.

With the margin whittled back to 17 points at the final change, Rocky Cranston snapped truly to reduce the lead to 12 points at the 11-minute mark.

Kirsty Lamb then kicked truly to make it a five-point deficit with just 2.45min remaining, and despite the Bulldogs’ best efforts, it was to be the final score of the match.

Katie Lynch was outstanding in a losing cause, winning 20 disposals in defence, taking six marks and laying five tackles.

Midfield duo Ellie Blackburn (16 disposals and six tackles) and Lamb (17 possessions and seven marks) toiled hard, while Isabelle Pritchard and Daisy Bateman controlled their wings with 17 and 15 touches respectively.

Deanna Berry left the field during the final term with a head injury and took no further part in the game.

MATCH DETAILS

Collingwood                      1.6         3.7         5.9         5.10 (40)
Western Bulldogs             0.0         1.4         3.4         5.5 (35)

GOALS

Collingwood:  James 4, Moloney
Western Bulldogs:  Newton 2, Hartwig, Cranston, Lamb

BEST

Collingwood: Cann, James, Lambert, Schleicher, Livingstone
Western Bulldogs: Lynch, Blackburn, Pritchard, Lamb, Edmonds

INJURIES

Collingwood: Rowe (knee), Schleicher (leg), Brown (TBC)
Western Bulldogs: Berry (head knock)

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 4,823 at Victoria Park