The Western Bulldogs have fallen 11 points short against West Coast in their return to Mission Whitten Oval on Thursday night. 

The Dogs came out with a real bite as yet unseen this year and came within five points in the last quarter, but couldn't close out the 5.2 (32) to 3.3 (21) result.

The two sides played contrasting game styles. Where the Dogs focused on spreading to defence and creating an outnumber, the Eagles were concerned with finding outside runners and creating fast ball movement.

A bright start from the Bulldogs had the home crowd up and about. They slotted the first goal via Isabelle Pritchard (19 disposals, 10 tackles, one goal) and maintained attacking territory for long periods.

Third-game Eagle Sanne Bakker (seven disposals, seven tackles) was given the colossal job of running with Ellie Blackburn (21 disposals, one goal) for much of the game. The duo traded blows, with Blackburn able to use her power to break away from stoppage at times, but Bakker able to impact much of her disposal with elite pressure.

Jaide Britton's (23 disposals) positioning on the wing was important for West Coast's structures, supporting the grunt work of Alison Drennan (25 disposals, eight clearances, one goal) and Bella Lewis (14 disposals, one goal) inside the contest.

Teenage Bulldog Elaine Grigg gave the Dogs some serious grunt, closing down space and cannoning into opposition players. While at times it crossed the line and gave up a free kick, it was the intent that helped bring her teammates along.

Pressure Dogs
After being blown out of the water across the opening fortnight, the Bulldogs came out on their home deck with some real bite. It was a stunning Isabelle Pritchard goal, followed by a textbook Ellie Blackburn tackle, then a huge Elaine Grigg tackle inside 50. They put their stamp on the game early and reminded fans that there is still something dangerous about this team. The forward pressure they applied was outstanding, and gave them something from which to build.

Up next
West Coast will stay in Melbourne and kick off mid-week footy on Tuesday against Collingwood at IKON Park, while the Western Bulldogs' tough road continues with a trip to Brighton Homes Arena to face Brisbane on Wednesday.

WESTERN BULLDOGS     2.1    2.2    2.3   3.3 (21)
WEST COAST                   1.1    3.1    4.1   5.2 (32)

GOALS 
Western Bulldogs: Pritchard, McFarlane, Blackburn,
West Coast: Western, Lewis, Drennan, Roberts, Di Donato

BEST 
Western Bulldogs: Pritchard, Grigg, Blackburn, Smith, Carruthers
West Coast: Drennan, Lewis, Britton, Roberts, Thomas

INJURIES 
Western Bulldogs: Blackburn (foot)
West Coast: Nil

Crowd: 1,545 at Mission Whitten Oval