A fast-finishing Western Bulldogs fell just short of a miraculous comeback in a three-point Round 7 AFLW loss to Carlton on Sunday afternoon at VU Whitten Oval.
The Bulldogs were goalless and 28 points in arrears at three-quarter-time, but finished with five of the last six goals to almost snatch an unlikely win.
They were left to rue missed opportunities, especially in the second quarter, in a game they dominated for large periods.
The Bulldogs finished their 2019 campaign with back-to-back losses by under a goal.
The Club’s two shining lights all season – Ellie Blackburn and Monique Conti – finished the season in fine style.
Conti recorded a career personal best for disposals with 25, completing her third consecutive game of 20 or more touches.
Blackburn kicked a goal, took five marks and collected 23 disposals – her highest tally of the season.
Aisling McCarthy finished her debut season with her most complete performance - 16 possessions, a goal and five tackles.
She ended her first AFL campaign with five majors from six appearances to finish second on the Club’s goalkicking tally behind Katie Brennan.
The Blues made the most of the breeze in the first term, booting three straight goals, despite the Dogs having some genuine opportunities to score at the other end.
The Bulldogs dominated territory and general play in the second, but wasted chances proved costly.
The Dogs had five straight shots at goal to start the quarter but managed only four behinds, and from the next two inside 50s Carlton kicked two consecutive goals to skip out to a 26-point lead.
The Bulldogs defended strongly in the third term as both teams went goalless, before they launched their attack in the final stages.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.2 0.7 0.7 5.8.38
CARLTON 3.2 5.2 5.5 6.5.41
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Brennan, McCarthy, Birch, Blackburn, Huntington
Carlton: Walker 3, Dalton 2, Harris
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Conti, Blackburn, McCarthy, Lamb, Brennan
Carlton: Walker, Davey, Dalton, Prespakis, Harris, Stevens
