A five-minute Collingwood burst in the third term proved match defining, as a fast finishing Western Bulldogs fell seven-points short of Collingwood at Victoria University Whitten Oval.

The Magpies kicked four goals in the third term alone, after coming into the match having scored just eight majors in total over their past three games. The burst set up the 5.2 (32) to 3.7 (25) win.

The tight, scrappy affair was soured by a potentially serious knee injury to Collingwood rookie Kate Sheahan. The forward changed direction attempting to evade an opponent, and fell to the ground clutching her knee just seconds before half-time. She was carried from the ground by trainers.

Ellie Blackburn, acting Bulldogs captain after the late withdrawal of Katie Brennan, wrestled her team back into the contest in the second quarter after a lacklustre opening term. She had 10 disposals to half-time, and finished with 19 for the match.

Meg Hutchins was a rock in defence for the Magpies, cutting off numerous Bulldogs entries and setting up play with her booming right foot.

Alicia Eva (14 disposals, one goal) and Jasmine Garner (two goals, five marks) were among the Magpies' best, especially in the third quarter. Jess Cameron's great ball skills set up Eva's goal. Cameron continually tapped the ball along the boundary line, evading two defenders, before handballing to Eva who snapped truly.

With their season on the line, the Bulldogs came out firing in the fourth quarter, putting the Magpies under enormous pressure. Ellie Blackburn kicked a goal inside the first minute, with Kirsty Lamb adding her second minutes later.

But the Magpies slowed the game down in the final minutes, chipping the ball around to the chagrin of the Bulldogs' faithful, to hold on for their first win.

WESTERN BULLDOGS   0.2   1.4   1.4   3.7   (25)                  

COLLINGWOOD   1.1   1.1   5.2   5.2   (32)          

GOALS

Western Bulldogs: Lamb 2, Blackburn

Collingwood: Garner 2, Hope, D'Arcy, Eva

BEST 

Western Bulldogs: Blackburn, Kearney, Lochland, Lamb, Callinan

Collingwood: Eva, Garner, Hutchins, Cameron, Kuys

INJURIES 

Western Bulldogs: Nil

Collingwood: Sheahan (knee)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Waddington, Toovey, Rodger

Official crowd: 6733 at Whitten Oval