The Western Bulldogs have lost back-to-back AFLW games for the first time since the 2017 season, after a 32-point defeat to Brisbane on Saturday night.
The Dogs were looking to bounce back after last week’s road loss to North Melbourne, but faced a red-hot, determined Lions outfit which booted seven goals to two in a dominant performance.
The five-goal margin was the heaviest defeat for the Bulldogs at their VU Whitten Oval home in the competition’s short history.
Ellie Blackburn was stretchered off the field early in the last quarter after a head knock, and was sent to hospital for precautionary observation.
The Bulldogs had the better of the opening exchanges but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard, and the Lions took full advantage, kicking the opening term’s only goal from their first inside 50 entry.
The visitors put their foot down in the second term, booting a further two majors as the Dogs went goalless for the first half.
The Lions had claims to be further ahead at the main break, was it not for some inaccuracy in front of goal, but Nat Exon took her chance to extend Brisbane’s lead to 26 points midway through the third term.
Some Aisling McCarthy individual brilliance broke the goal drought for the Bulldogs, but the Lions finished full of running with three of the last four goals.
The Bulldogs travel to Perth next week for a season-defining clash with Fremantle on Saturday, February 23
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.2 0.2 1.3 2.5.17
BRISBANE LIONS 1.1 3.5 4.7 7.7.49
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: McCarthy, McLeod
Brisbane Lions: McCarthy 2, Zanchetta, Wuetschner, Koenen, Exon, Hunt
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Conti, McCarthy, Mackie, Blackburn, Scott
Brisbane Lions: Anderson, Exon, Bates, Zielke, Wardlow, Campbell
Crowd: 6541 at Victoria University Whitten Oval
