Bulldogs squash Tigers, but miss AFLW finalsBy Sarah Burt
The Age
March 26, 2021 — 7.37pmWESTERN BULLDOGS 4.0 5.0 5.3 7.3 (45)
RICHMOND 1.0 2.1 4.2 5.2 (32)
GOALS:
Western Bulldogs: Lochland, McLeod (2), Morris-Dalton, Huntington, Lamb, Toogood.
Richmond: Stahl, Brennan (3), Wakefield
BEST:
Western Bulldogs: McLeod, Lochland, Lamb, Blackburn, Rennie, Moody, Toogood.
Richmond: Brennan, Stahl, McKenzie, Frederick, Seymour, Miller, Dempsey
The Western Bulldogs have ended their season with a 13-point win over Richmond at Whitten Oval on Friday night, but couldn’t make up the percentage deficit needed to launch a finals campaign.
The game was the first between the two teams for AFLW premiership points, having only clashed in practice matches.
The Bulldogs sat in eighth spot on the ladder after a 56-point loss to Adelaide last round, and whilst mathematically there was a slim chance for a finals appearance, the young team needed a near miracle.
The Tigers weren’t a chance for finals but after three wins following a winless season last year, they were hungry for another victory to wrap up their season.
The Bulldogs were kicking with the breeze and Brooke Lochland got them on the board early with her first for the season. In the same minute, Bulldog Kirsten McLeod booted her first of two for the quarter.
Despite leading the clearance count and with 70 per cent kicking efficiency, the Tigers managed just one major from Tayla Stahl. Bulldogs key forward Nell Morris-Dalton slotted her first AFLW goal to give them an 18-point advantage at the first break.
Skipper Katie Brennan opened the Tigers’ second term with a goal, but Bulldog Izzy Huntington responded for the Dogs before half-time.
Brennan wasn’t done, slotting two in a row for the Tigers early in the second half, equalling Carlton’s Darcy Vescio at the top of the goalkicking table.
The Bulldogs led inside 50s but couldn’t convert, one controversially called touched off the boot of Morris-Dalton meant the home side notched just three behinds.
An unexpected mark gave Kirsty Lamb a clear passage to snap a goal, breaking the Bulldogs’ drought. Richmond held strong in defence, Tiger Courtney Wakefield getting her first for the night to shave the margin. Bulldogs skipper Ellie Blackburn assisted Bonnie Toogood, the beneficiary of the final goal to seal the win for the young side.
BRENNAN AND CONTI FACE FORMER SIDETiger stars Monique Conti and Brennan went head-to-head with the team they left at the end of 2019.
Conti had 12 disposals and a mark, while Brennan had a career night, finishing with three goals, 14 disposals and two marks.
CO-CAPTAINS BECOME RIVALSPicks one and two of the 2020 draft, Richmond’s Ellie McKenzie and Bulldog Jess Fitzgerald were on opposing sides for the first time, having co-captained the NAB League side Northern Knights together in 2020 and going to school together.
McKenzie shone, taking a spectacular hanger in the second quarter and ending with 13 disposals and four marks. Fitzgerald had a quieter night with nine disposals and a mark.
Both have impressed in their maiden year, each debuting in round one and playing every game for their respective teams, as well as both earning a NAB AFLW Rising star nomination.
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