AFLW RD 6 REPORT – Dogs in Blues lose due to slow start
The Western Bulldogs remain winless in the 2023 AFLW competition after a 19-point loss to Carlton on Friday night at VU Whitten Oval.
The Western Bulldogs remain winless in the 2023 AFLW competition after a 19-point loss to Carlton on Friday night at VU Whitten Oval.
The Bulldogs’ poor start proved costly in the end, as they surrendered three of the first four goals, leaving the club unable to close the gap for the remainder of the game.
The Blues dominated field position for much of the game, notably in the first term, when they led 14-1 inside the 50.
The advantage was 19 points at the half after an even second quarter, with Britt Gutknecht producing one of the game’s noteworthy highlights with a sprinting goal in front of the red, white, and blue crowd.
The Blues scored the only two goals of the third quarter and led by 30 points at the break, but the Bulldogs fought hard in the last moments, registering seven scoring shots to one and winning the fourth period on the scoreboard.
Following the game, it was reported that several Bulldogs players had been sick during the week, while ruck Celine Moody, who failed a fitness test before the Carlton game, has been ruled out for the season with a shoulder injury.
Coach Nathan Burke used magnets against the Blues, starting Katie Lynch up front and sticking with Gabby Newton on defense.
Liz Georgostathis started in defense but spent most of the game in the midfield, as did young gun Rylie Wilcox in the closing stages.
Georgostathis was the Dogs’ biggest ball-winner on the ground, with 29 and five clearances in a superb effort, while Ellie Blackburn was the team’s barometer once again, with 27 touches and eight marks.
In Round 7, the Bulldogs travel to South Australia to face the Adelaide Crows at Norwood Oval on Friday night.
