The Western Bulldogs have suffered their first loss of their 2019 VFLW campaign, falling to Carlton by 16 points at Ikon Park on Saturday afternoon.
A two-goal to one final quarter sealed the deal for Carlton to end the Bulldogs’ undefeated start to the season.
Mary Sandral kicked the visitors only goal for the match after moving forward in the second half.
Ellie Blackburn was impressive in her return to VFLW footy, finding plenty of the football and turning up the pressure on her Carlton opponents.
The Bulldogs were unable to capitalise on the volume of repeat inside 50 opportunities during the first term, but at the other end Carlton were able to find the first major of the day right before the siren to take a four-point lead into the first break.
No goals by either side in the second quarter kept the contest in close reach. The Bulldogs backline continued to work hard to repel Carlton forays, despite Bonnie Toogood coming from the field and taking no further part in the game.
Both sides again found difficulty in finding a goal in the third term. It was an interrupted quarter when a stretcher was called for Courtney Mullins to come from the ground. She later returned to sit on the bench for the remainder of the game.
Despite some better signs for the Dogs moving the ball across the ground and holding Carlton out, the Blues went into the final quarter with a 7-point lead, before extending it further in the final term to take the win.
The Bulldogs look ahead to next week when they hit the road again to take on Collingwood at Morwell Recreation Reserve, with the first bounce scheduled for 11:30am.
MATCH DETAILS
Western Bulldogs 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.4 (10)
Carlton 1.1 1.3 1.5 3.8 (26)
GOALS:
Western Bulldogs: M.Sandral
Carlton: S.Hosking, C.Bromage, N.Plane,
