Reigning VFLW premiers Hawthorn proved too good for the Western Bulldogs, as the homeside suffered their third loss in as many weeks.
In blustery, wintery conditions at VU Whitten Oval, scoring came entirely to the Geelong Road.
While both sides dominated territory when kicking with the wind, it was Hawthorn that created the most opportunities inside 50m, finishing with 13 scoring shots to three.
Being held scoreless in the final term while kicking with the wind put the result beyond doubt for the Western Bulldogs, falling 1.2 (8) to 4.9 (33)
With the ball camped on in the visitor’s forward half for the majority of the opening terms, the Bulldogs backs were under pressure from the outset.
Hawthorn posted five consecutive behinds to the midway stage of the term, before back-to-back goals in a minute saw them stretch their margin to 17 points.
Lauren Spark was a welcome addition to the Bulldogs defensive end in her first state league game, proving an imposing figure on the last line with her intercept marking.
Bailey Hunt kicked her first goal of the state league season, to get the Bulldogs on the scoreboard in the second term, but the home side had limited opportunities kicking with the wind as the visitors got numbers back in defence to restrict clean possession inside 50m.
Under constant assault in the third term, the Bulldogs backs kept the Hawks to just five scoring shots, however the visitors still added 2.3 for the term and stretched their lead to 25-points at the final change.
With the inclement weather showing no signs of relenting, neither side was able to hit the scoreboard in the final quarter.
Sitting at 4-3 for the season, the Bulldogs will next Saturday host Richmond at VU Whitten Oval (4pm, 6 July 2019), in what could be former AFLW captain Katie Brennan’s first outing against her former club.
MATCH DETAILS
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.0 1.2 1.2 1.2 (8)
HAWTHORN 2.5 2.5 4.9 4.9 (33)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: B. Hunt
Hawthorn: P. McWilliams, S. Perkins, P. Peschke, R. Dillon
