A change of role for Ellie Blackburn sparked a burst of goals for the Western Bulldogs against Carlton at Ikon Park on Saturday, with the women's side kicking its highest score of the AFLW season so far, 7.6 (48).
Blackburn kicked a personal best three goals in a free-flowing match that saw the fast-finishing Bulldogs fall just six points short of the Blues.
Speaking with westernbulldogs.com.au post match, Blackburn said she relished the move forward but remains comfortable with fulfilling any role set for her in order to achieve team success.
"It wasn't too bad," she said.
"I don't mind sneaking up forward and kicking a couple of goals which is always positive, but any way you can influence and have an impact on the team is the role I was asked to play, and I'm more than happy to do anything for this team."
Despite spending more time in the attacking half of the ground than in previous matches, Blackburn still picked up her fair share of possessions, collecting 16 touches, behind only ball-magnet Emma Kearney (18), and equal with midfielders Nicky Callinan and Jamie Lambert.
Blackburn was heartened by the efforts of her team in the final term of the match, which saw the Bulldogs almost erase a game-high deficit of 25 points in the last 12 minutes.
"We seemed to get some real momentum in the back half of that last quarter. [The message was] just to keep the momentum going our way, let's keep attacking, let's keep going to the next [contest], let's help our mate out as much as we can and keep playing footy on our terms. We really built on that vibe in that moment."
Blackburn is looking forward to the side taking that improved form interstate for the first time.
"We take a lot out of it. I think we take that it was pretty close in terms of the stats sheet and we were just short by six points. Travelling interstate will be something different for us and something we're really looking forward to.
"It was good to get away from home today, as much as we love playing at Whitten [Oval]. It's good to play outside our home ground and take on teams on their own turf, and we're really looking forward to travelling interstate for our last two trips."
The Bulldogs will take on the Lions in Brisbane's north on Saturday before travelling again to Canberra to take on GWS in the final AFLW round.
