The plan made sense. 

Tag Bulldogs ball-magnet Ellie Blackburn, strangle the Dogs’ drive out of the middle, and restrict supply to the dangerous Katie Brennan.

Enter Emma Kearney.

Usually a Star of a different kind during the summer months – Kearney plays for the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL – the 27-year-old lit up Victoria Whitten Oval last night with a game-high 23 disposals, 12 of them contested, and best on ground honours.

“We know that [Fremantle coach] Michelle Cowen likes to run with a tag, but we weren’t sure which one she’d go with,” Kearney told SEN’s AFLW hour of power on Sunday morning.

“I was pumped for my own game that I didn’t grab it, but we tried to help Ellie out as much as possible.

“She’s an absolute superstar and was able to get a few kicks at the end of the game, which is really pleasing for her.”

Blackburn still had plenty of influence, as did Brennan who finished with two goals as the Bulldogs ran out 32-point winners in front of 10,100 fans.

Bulldogs coach Paul Groves was full of praise for his side post-match, particularly Kearney who he described as the ‘ultimate competitor.’

“She’s so damaging – she sort of turns into a 70m player every time (with her run), Groves said.

“She just doesn’t want to get beat.”

The Bulldogs face Adelaide next Friday night at VU Whitten Oval.