The Western Bulldogs will head to the Northern Territory in search of their first win of the VFLW season next week, after falling to Collingwood by eight points on Saturday afternoon at Victoria University Whitten Oval.
Collingwood led by a game-high 26-points at the midway stage of the last quarter, before the Bulldogs fought back hard late, kicking the last three goals of the game to close the margin to single figures at the final siren.
Naomi Ferres was a standout for the home-side, playing through the midfield and using her clean hands and vision to full effect to distribute the football to her teammates in space.
The visitors setup their win by restricting the Bulldogs to just five behinds in the opening half, before the Bulldogs slotted their first major through Mackay in the third quarter.
The Magpies made the most of their opportunities in front of goal, kicking six goals from eight scoring shots. Their efficiency was ultimately the difference, with the Bulldogs having 10 scoring shots to eight.
AFLW premiership defender Libby Birch skippered the Bulldogs in her first game back, while the game also saw AFLW leading goalkicker Brooke Lochland return for her first state-league hitout.
The winless Bulldogs will next week fly to Darwin’s TIO Stadium to take on the NT Thunder on Saturday, 2 June.
Western Bulldogs 0.3 0.5 1.5 4.6 (30)
Collingwood 1.1 2.1 5.2 6.2 (38)
GOALS: Jolly, Butler, Francke, Mackay
