Port Adelaide ran out 57-point winners over the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs failed to fire early, as Port took a 34 point lead into the first change.

A superb second quarter from Ed Richards gave the Dogs a glimmer of hope. Richards kicked three goals and Marcus Bontempelli had 10 second-quarter disposals to narrow the margin to 25-points at the main break.

The Dogs were down two men through hamstring injuries to both Easton Wood and Jack Macrae.

The Bulldogs sit in 14th position, with a 4-8 record.

The numbers

Hayden Crozier collected 21 touches and eight marks, while Bontempelli worked hard all night, finishing with 23 disposals, including 16 contested, ten clearances, and two goals.

Richards finished with three goals while Mitch Wallis also chipped in with two goals.

What they said:

“Two men down for most of the game, probably younger men playing against more experienced, stronger-bodied players, I thought our boys had a real go. It was a pretty nightmarish night as far as the injury toll went, we had players out there who shouldn’t have been, we were two down, but they really fought hard.” – Senior Coach, Luke Beveridge.

VFL + VFLW

In the VFL, Footscray defeated Coburg by 10-points at Piranha Park.

Leading at every change, Footscray controlled the play for the first half, before the Lions stormed home, almost causing an upset.

Lin Jong and Josh Dunkley gathered 25 disposals each while Tom Campbell (27 hit-outs) and Jordan Roughead (36 hit-outs) controlled the ball in the air, providing first use to their on-ball brigade.

The Western Bulldogs secured a historic first VFLW victory, running out comprehensive 56-point winners over Williamstown at Henry Turner Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

Alyssa Mifsud (four goals) in her first game of the season, and Jess Francke (five goals) led the charge up forward for the Bulldogs, helping the home side to their highest score of the season.

Up Next

The Bulldogs are back under the roof at Etihad Stadium for their clash with North Melbourne for their Harmony Game on Saturday night.

In the VFL, Footscray play North Melbourne in a curtain-raiser to the AFL match at 3.20pm at Etihad Stadium while in the VFLW the Bulldogs play the Casey Demons at Casey Fields at 4pm on Saturday.