A six-game winning streak came to an end for the Western Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon, as the VFLW team fell to the Southern Saints by 31-points. 

In clear, but blustery conditions at Henry Turner Reserve, the Saints made the most of their opportunities in front of goal to run out victors 6.4 (40) to the home side’s 1.3 (9) 

AFLW premiership players Lauren Spark and Hannah Scott made their VFLW debut in Bulldogs colours, with both industrious around the ball and named in the team’s best players. 

With the wind proving influential on the contest, the Bulldogs found it difficult to counter the forward movement by the Saints, despite the strong tap work of ruck Nicole McMahon and the work in close by onballer Ashleigh Guest , who was amongst the home side’s key ball winners.  

In a game that witnessed little scoreboard joy for the Bulldogs, Jess Francke was the side’s only goal scorer, while Hannah Scott generated numerous shots on goal, however was only able to convert for two points. 

The match was a part of AFL Victoria’s White Ribbon Round, with the players all showing their support for the cause and the prevention of violence against women. 

Next Sunday the Western Bulldogs will take on Hawthorn at Box City Oval, with first bounce at 2:00pm.   

Western Bulldogs:  1.0   1.0   1.3   1.3 (9) 
Southern Saints:     1.2   4.2   4.3   6.4 (40) 

Goal Kickers:  
Western Bulldogs: J. Francke 
Southern Saints: T. Bohanna 3, C. Munn, A. Silver, H. Bate 

Best Players 
Western Bulldogs: A. Goldring, L. Birch, A. Gogos , H. Scott, L. Spark, A. Guest 
Southern Saints: K. Ripari, R. Watt, T. Bohanna, E. Brown, S. Karlson, G. De Angelis