REIGNING premiers the Western Bulldogs have won their second match for the season, accounting for Geelong by 18 points.

The Bulldogs struggled with scoring last round, managing just two goals, but it wasn't an issue in their 5.4 (34) to 2.4 (16) win at Whitten Oval on Saturday night.

The Cats got off to a good start when key forward Phoebe McWilliams, playing her first game for the club after missing last week with hamstring soreness, duly converted a set shot from 30 metres.

But a three-goal second quarter from the Dogs, who were kicking with a considerable breeze, turned out to be the difference in the match.

Deanna Berry (wearing long sleeves in an unseasonably cool Melbourne night), Bonnie Toogood and Ellie Blackburn all slotted goals, the latter a whopping 45-metre set shot which just cleared 194cm Erin Hoare's outstretched hand.

After struggling in the clearances last week, the Bulldogs were cleaner around the ball, with Kirsty Lamb (17 disposals), Blackburn (19 and six tackles) and Ange Gogos combining well. 

Monique Conti was dangerous off the half-back flank, while Hannah Scott patrolled the backline with confidence.

Even with the addition of McWilliams (who will be ruing several missed opportunities, finishing with 1.2), the Cats seemed to lose their structure up forward on occasion.

Cats draftee Olivia Purcell (16 touches) was busy in the midfield alongside Renee Garing (nine and 11 tackles).

Two scoreless quarters, the second and fourth against the breeze, were costly for Geelong.

WESTERN BULLDOGS   1.0   4.0   5.0   5.4 (34)
GEELONG   1.2   1.2   2.4   2.4 (16)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs:
 Utri, Berry, Toogood, Blackburn, McCarthy
Geelong: McWilliams, Clarke

BEST 
Western Bulldogs:
 Blackburn, Lamb, Scott, Conti, Berry
Geelong: Purcell, McWilliams, Garing, McDonald, Keryk

INJURIES 
Western Bulldogs:
 Mackie (concussion, replaced in selected side by Smith)
Geelong: O'Connor (right leg, TBC)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Heffernan, McGinness, Annand

Crowd: 8612 at VU Whitten Oval