The Western Bulldogs are sitting in second place on AFLW ladder after securing a nine point victory over the Lions in Brisbane on Sunday, but the win looks to be have been soured by a serious knee injury to top draft pick Izzy Huntington.
The 18-year-old looked set to take control of the game in the second term, kicking two goals in as many minutes before her right knee buckled in scramble for the ball deep in the Dogs’ forward area.
“What can you say. The kid has done so much to get back to where she is.”, Bulldogs coach Paul Groves told Fox Footy post-match.
“Daria (Bannister) had the operation yesterday and now we’ve got Iz. We’ll back our two superstars in, and they’ll be a big part of this club for a long time.”
Huntington is expected to undergo scans in the next 24 hours to determine the extent of the damage.
The injury overshadowed what was ultimately an impressive win for the Dogs, whose four second quarter goals were enough to hold off a determined Lions outfit in extremely warm conditions.
Despite the low scoring first term, the Dogs looked good early, hitting targets across the ground, and refusing to give the Lions ball carriers any oxygen, pouncing at every opportunity.
Jenna Bruton was instrumental picking up 11 classy disposals, and joined Huntington on the scoreboard to help send the Dogs into the long break with a 16-point buffer. The Dogs are now +9 in first half scoreboard differential this season after kicking five in the first half against the Dockers last week, seven clear of their nearest rival.
The Brisbane counter attack came but the Dogs had done enough, holding on for the nine point victory.
Groves said he was proud of how his team kept their composure under pressure for what is a crucial early season win on the road.
“We were just trying to get a hold of the footy, just have it in our hands so we could try and get the clock down a little bit, he said.
“It was a really hard fought win, in the heat, and I’m really proud the way the girls stuck at it.”
BRISBANE 0.2 0.3 1.4 3.6 (24)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.1 4.2 4.2 5.3 (33)
GOALS
Brisbane: Wuetschner 2, Anderson
Western Bulldogs: Huntington 2, Bruton, Scott, Utri
BEST
Brisbane: Anderson, Bates, Zielke, Lutkins
Western Bulldogs: Kearney, Bruton, Lamb, Scott, Birch
