The Western Bulldogs have fallen just short of victory in their 2021 NAB AFLW season-opener, going down to St Kilda by nine points in an entertaining contest at RSEA Park.

Despite torrential rain throughout the day in Melbourne, the foot skills of both teams were slick from the get-go.

The Saints split the big sticks first, courtesy of a free kick and 50-metre penalty to 2020 AFLW leading goalkicker Caitlin Greiser.

But the Bulldogs found a quick reply courtesy of a sharp snap from Bonnie Toogood before skipper Ellie Blackburn turned on the jets to add her side’s second.

04:36

AFLW Press Conference | Nathan Burke

Bulldogs AFLW Head Coach Nathan Burke spoke to the media following the Round 1 defeat to St Kilda

A pair of majors to the hosts restored their lead, before Izzy Huntington nailed a set shot on the stroke of quarter time to give the Bulldogs a three-point lead.

The Saints took control in the second quarter and made the most of their opportunities.

Huntington and Toogood had set-shot opportunities but couldn’t convert, with the Saints finding three majors to open up a 13-point advantage at the major break.

Neither side could break through in a see-sawing third term, despite both threatening.

It was the Bulldogs – courtesy of another Huntington pack mark and goal – who broke the deadlock on the siren, reducing the Saints’ lead to eight points at the final change.

The Saints hit back with the first goal of the last quarter.

Two star Bulldogs impacted the contest next – Toogood kicking her second, then Blackburn her second to pull the margin back to two points with nearly five minutes on the clock.

02:13

AFLW Post Match | Izzy Huntington

Izzy Huntington spoke to Bulldogs Media after the Round 1 loss to St Kilda.

But the Saints had the final say – one last goal to seal the result.

Blackburn was best afield for the Bulldogs with 21 disposals, while Kirsty Lamb also found plenty of the footy, finishing with 19 disposals.

Toogood and Huntington were potent inside-50, finishing with nine disposals and two goals each.

The Bulldogs will face Carlton next in their round two clash, on Friday night at VU Whitten Oval.

ST KILDA                                              3.0          6.0          6.2          8.3 (51)
WESTERN BULLDOGS                     3.3          3.5          4.6          6.6 (42)

Goals

St Kilda: Greiser 2, Guttridge 2, Patrikios, Shierlaw, Smith, Vogt
Western Bulldogs: Blackburn 2, Huntington 2, Toogood 2

Best

St Kilda: Patrikios, White, Smith, Phillips, Greiser
Western Bulldogs: Blackburn, Toogood, Huntington, Hunt, Lamb