A gallant Western Bulldogs side has fallen 42 points short against Adelaide at Norwood Oval on Friday night.

Despite losing three players before half time, the red, white and blue gave all effort against one of the strongest outfits in the AFLW, eventually falling 9.5 (59) to 2.5 (17).

Keely Coyne (knee) and Kirsten McLeod (concussion) were both ruled out before quarter time, before a courageous Dom Carruthers went back with the flight receiving a nasty head knock in the process.

01:08

Dogs scare as young gun hurts knee

The Bulldogs suffer an early concern with youngster Keely Coyne clutching at her knee after this innocuous incident

Skipper Ellie Blackburn battled hard against a tag from the Crows, finding the ball 17 times in the second half to finish with a team-high 22 touches.  

Jess Fitzgerald was the other midfield to try hard all night with 20 touches, while Sarah Hartwig and Bri McFarlane kicked a goal each.

Hartwig kept the Dogs in the contest early with a set shot early, keeping the away side within a goal heading into the first break.

The Dogs couldn’t stop Adelaide’s run after the main break, kicking the one major to the Crows five.

While the Dogs remain winless, attention turns to Sydney next week back at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday afternoon.

01:58

Jess Fitzgerald | 'It put a little fire in our belly and we played for those three'

FItzy speaks following the clash against Adelaide

Full Time: Adelaide Crows v Western Bulldogs

Adelaide       2.0   4.2   7.2  9.5 (59)
Bulldogs        1.2  1.4    1.4. 2.5 (17)

Goals: Hartwig, McFarlane