The Western Bulldogs have suffered their heaviest defeat of the 2023 AFLW season to date, falling to the Sydney Swans by 57 points at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday.

The Dogs, completely decimated by injuries with only 20 listed players to choose from for the match, proved no match for the Swans.

An eight-goal first half from the visitors set up the victory, with the margin blowing out to 42 points at the main break.

The Bulldogs put in an improved effort in the second half after making some positional adjustments, but the damage was done.

02:02

Jorja Borg | 'Such an awesome day'

Jorja Borg discusses the crazy circumstances behind her AFLW debut in Round 8.

Sydney’s total of 96 points was the most the Dogs have conceded in a game of AFLW, and the losing margin was the second heaviest in the Club’s history.

A crowd of 2982 people watched the action at VU Whitten Oval – the highest home crowd of the Dogs’ season to date.

Sydney co-captain Chloe Molloy was a major factor in the outcome of the game – kicking three goals, taking 11 marks and collecting 28 disposals in a match-winning performance.

For the Bulldogs, Ellie Blackburn notched 30 possessions for the second time in her career, to go game highs for clearances (eight) and tackles (eight).

00:24

Grant slots her first AFLW goal

Issy Grant nails her first ever goal from the pocket.

Kirsty Lamb finished with a season-high tally of 24 disposals and she had six clearances, while Issy Pritchard had 18 touches and five clearances, while also spending time in the ruck.

One of the highlights for the Dogs on a disappointing day was a first AFLW goal for Issy Grant, who took a strong mark deep in attack early in the third term and converted, after being switched to attack for the second half.

Jorja Borg also impressed on her debut, finishing with a game-high 29 hitouts.

The Bulldogs have two more chances to secure their first win of the 2023 campaign, starting with a trip to play West Coast at Mineral Resources Park next Saturday.

06:39

Nathan Burke | Post Match (RD8)

Watch Western Bulldogs' press conference after round eight's match against Sydney

WESTERN BULLDOGS           1.0    2.1    4.2     6.3 (39) 
SYDNEY                                 3.5    8.7    12.8   14.12 (96) 

GOALS   
Western Bulldogs: Cranston, Lamb, Grant, Wilcox, Bateman, Newton 
Sydney: Molloy 3, C.Hamilton 2, Sargent-Wilson 2, Hurley 2, Privitelli, Lochland, Beruldsen, Ham, Gardiner 

BEST   
Western Bulldogs: Blackburn, Lamb, Pritchard, Georgostathis 
Sydney: Molloy, Ham, Gardiner, Hurley, C.Hamilton, Tarrant 

INJURIES   
Western Bulldogs: Nil 
Sydney: Paige Sheppard (concussion)

Crowd: 2,982 at Whitten Oval