The AFLW Bulldogs have boosted their side for Saturday’s Pride Game against Carlton, with vice-captain Brooke Lochland and fellow leader Izzy Huntington included in the line-up. 

It will be Lochland’s first match of the season, having recovered from a hamstring niggle on the eve of Round 1. 

Huntington also returns to the line-up, after missing last week’s loss to Melbourne with concussion symptoms. 

Both will start on the interchange bench, replacing utility Nicole Callinan and draftee Amelia Van Oosterwijck. 

Skipper Ellie Blackburn, Angelica Gogos, Lauren Spark and Hannah Scott will notch up their 25^th AFLW games when they take to the field on Saturday.

It will also be the third installation of the annual Pride Game against Carlton, which celebrates inclusiveness, gender diversity and welcoming all people, no matter their sexual orientation. 

From their previous two Pride meetings, the ledger stands at a win apiece – the Bulldogs triumphed by 73 points in 2018 thanks to Lochland’s record seven-goal haul, before a narrow two-point loss last season. 

This year, both sides will enter Saturday’s contest off the back of defeats. 

The match will be televised live on 7mate and Fox Footy from 3pm, with the first bounce at 3.10pm at VU Whitten Oval.

Make sure you’re following @BulldogsW on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for all the latest updates.   

AFLW ROUND 3

Western Bulldogs v Carlton
Saturday 22 February, 3.10pm AEDT
VU Whitten Oval

B: Angelica Gogos, Lauren Spark,              
HB: Katy Herron, Ellyse Gamble, Naomi Ferres
C: Bailey Hunt, Kirsty Lamb, Gemma Lagioia
HF: Gabby Newton, Bonnie Toogood, Kirsten McLeod
F:                            Elisabeth Georgostathis, Deanna Berry
Foll: Kim Rennie, Ellie Blackburn, Aisling McCarthy
Int: Eleanor Brown, Dani Marshall, Izzy Huntington
       Hannah Scott, Brooke Lochland
Emer: Nicole Callinan, Hannah Munyard 

In: B. Lochland, I. Huntington.
Out: A. Van Oosterwijck, N. Callinan.

Carlton has inflicted the Western Bulldogs’ second consecutive loss of the 2020 AFLW season, in the annual pride game at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs conceded the first three goals of the game and could never bridge the gap, despite staying in the contest until late in the final quarter.

The Blues eventually won by 21 points, securing the win after kicking the last two goals of the match against the wind.

The Dogs were hit with injuries throughout the game and finished with a depleted bench, with Angelica Gogos’ knee injury the most serious concern.

The Bulldogs now have one victory from their three games, and face a crucial clash in Perth against West Coast next Saturday night.

A massive crowd of over 8000 fans turned out in sunny conditions to celebrate the annual Pride Game, creating an outstanding atmosphere.

Bulldogs skipper Ellie Blackburn was valiant in defeat, collecting 20 disposals (the fifth occasion of her career she has recoded 20 or more).

Aisling McCarthy (16 touches) continued her bright start to the season, and Isabel Huntington was strong in defence with 15 possessions and a game-high (and career-high) seven marks.

The Bulldogs trailed by 18 points at three quarter time and had the breeze in the last term, inching to within nine points of the Blues twice before the visitors kicked away late.

WESTERN BULLDOGS     1.0    2.3    2.3    4.6 (30)
CARLTON                          3.1    3.1    5.3    8.3 (51) 

GOALS

Western Bulldogs: Toogood, Georgostathis, McLeod, Lamb
Carlton: Gee 3, Brazzale, McEvoy, Harris, Vescio, Stevens 

BEST

Western Bulldogs: Blackburn, McCarthy, Huntington, Lochland, Newton
Carlton: Prespakis, McEvoy, Laloifi, Harris, Gee, Egan, Vescio

Official crowd: 8259 at VU Whitten Oval