Western Bulldogs 0.1 3.1 4.2 5.4.34 Fremantle 2.1 3.2 5.2 8.4.52
Goals
Western Bulldogs: Utri, McCarthy, Huntington, Brennan, Lochland Fremantle: Gibson 3, Houghton 2, Duffy 2, Bowers
Alex Docherty's Best
Western Bulldogs: Brennan, Conti, Lamb, Utri, Blackburn, Rennie Fremantle: Bowers, Gibson, Hooker, Duffy, Cain, Houghton, Donnellan
The Western Bulldogs' chances of going back-to-back are now officially done, after Fremantle handed them a 18-point loss at Fremantle Oval on Sunday evening. Whilst the Bulldogs still remain rock bottom on conference A, the Dockers have levelled up with North Melbourne and Adelaide with four wins, following Adelaide's win over the Roos in Werribee earlier on in the day.
Whilst the result should be disappointing for Bulldogs fans, I think it was a much better effort than what was dished up at home against the Lions last weekend. The Dogs made it a scrap for large portions of the contest. The first quarter was a real struggle for either side to get the upper hand. The Bulldogs had control of possession for the most part of the term, the Dockers did their best to put them under pressure and vice versa whenever Fremantle had the ball.
There was finally a breakthrough in the last minute of the term, when Kiara Bowers managed to put one through when she found an opening. Not even 30 seconds later, the Dockers found themselves two goals ahead when Kellie Gibson found an opportunity to put one through when the ball spilled out of a marking contest. In the final minute of any quarter, it's often unacceptable to concede one goal – but defensively, it is unforgivable to concede two goals in the final minute.
It really undid the whole first quarter, but, you got to give some credit to the Bulldogs here as they fought there way back into the contest with great goals to Aisling Utri and Aisling McCarthy. The first play of the second quarter saw Kim Rennie palm the footy down to Monique Conti, who baulked around an opposition player and boot it to a contest inside 50, which led to Utri crumbing the ball and putting it through from about 30 metres out for the Bulldogs' first of the game.
After McCarthy's goal midway through the second quarter drew scores level. A mark to Kellie Gibson was then awarded fifty metres as Hannah Scott tackled her to the ground, believing it was play-on as the kick was touched. Whether or not she heard a call from somewhere or not, this play cost the Bulldogs a goal. But this was cancelled out shortly after when Izzy Huntington on her return from a serious knee injury beat Ebony Antonio and from about 40 metres out, squeezed it home.
What was more pleasing to see is all her team mates gather around her – it is no secret she's a popular figure at Whitten Oval. Same thing happened in the fourth quarter when Brooke Lochland got a free kick in the goal square to put her team in front and converted. You can sense that this team plays for each other and they enjoy getting around one another.
And whilst they were so much better than last week's display, they were just simply beaten by a better side. Whenever the Bulldogs had thrown the challenge to the Dockers, they simply responded back with goals of their own. Katie Brennan kicked a ripping goal in the third quarter to put the Bulldogs ahead – this was cancelled out by Kellie Gibson kicking a third major just moments after.
This was followed by a great play late in the quarter which saw Kiara Bowers win a free kick in the forward pocket and delivered a precise pass to Gemma Houghton, who converted to give the Dockers a one-goal lead heading into the final quarter. After Lochland's goal early in the final term got them in front, Fremantle found another gear with which the Bulldogs had no answers for.
One person that had herself a fourth quarter to remember was first-year player Sabreena Duffy. After hardly being sighted in the first three quarters, she came to life in the final quarter, having a direct hand in all three of Fremantle's goals – kicking two herself and assisting the other. Her first goal was a cracking goal off the ground from deep in the pocket that would've made the Matildas proud.
Late in the game, she kicked the footy to a unguarded Houghton in the goal square to effectively seal the result, before adding the cherry on top with a goal via an undisciplined 50-metre penalty. She's having herself a fine first season in the AFLW, but I believe this performance outlined how much of a game changer she can really be in the future.
Leading The Way
Whilst it was a disappointing loss, There were several encouraging signs from a number of Bulldogs. I thought Katie Brennan had her best game this year. Being able to play more up the ground, she got herself involved plenty of times – recording 18 disposals and three marks, as well as recording a brilliant goal in the third quarter. Monique Conti continues to excel in the middle, recording a team-high 20 disposals and eight tackles and was alongside Brennan as the best Bulldog on the ground.
One match-up I found fascinating was watching Kirsty Lamb match-up with Fremantle's Dana Hooker. Both players are of a similar ilk – they love the contest and they are possession accumulators. They played on each other all game long and it's kinda hard to say who came out on top as both had solid games. Lamb had 18 disposals and eight tackles and I thought held her own really well against one of the league's best.
Ellie Blackburn (15 disposals and three tackles) was solid without having a starring role. Aisling Utri (12 disposals, three marks, two tackles and a goal) continues to have a fine year and is putting up consistent performances now, whilst I thought the work of Kim Rennie (25 hitouts), as the primary ruck option, showed good ruck work at times and broke-even with the pair of Parris Laurie and Alicia Janz.
The Opposition
I thought there was one Docker that stood out far and beyond anyone else on the ground and that was Kiara Bowers. In her first season after missing the previous two with knee injuries, Bowers was simply unstoppable, recording 23 disposals and a whopping 16 tackles, as well as one goal for the match – it won't come as a shock to see her poll three votes in this match come the best and fairest – she was everywhere.
Another Freo midfielder that had a great game was Dana Hooker who had 21 disposals and nine tackles in a very strong display – considering that she had Kirsty Lamb for company for the most part of the match. Kara Donnellan (14 disposals) was also solid around the ground without starring, but it's their forwards who are looking as dangerous as they've ever been.
I don't need to touch on Duffy's performance anymore – she was that influential in their win. But it's the likes of Gemma Houghton – who kicked two goals from six touches and eight tackles – and Kellie Gibson – who kicked three majors from six touches – that have helped the Dockers become one of the major surprise packets of the season. As a tall forward, Houghton is just as menacing at ground level as she is in the air, and I like that. Gibson has always been a crafty player, she was sorely missed last year as she had a hip injury.
Next Week
So with Finals now out of the equation for the Western Bulldogs, there really is nothing to lose but pride now. Next week will be a big game in this respect, as they take on old rivals Melbourne in the first-ever double header at Marvel Stadium. After such an encouraging performance here, I would love to see this club get their first win at Marvel on their first try and in doing this, it will knock the Demons out of contention as well.