MATCH DETAILS

When: Sunday 27 October
Where: Mars Stadium, Ballarat (Wadawurrung)
First bounce: 1.05pm AEDT
Admission: Buy tickets now
Membership: Sign up today
Broadcast: 7Mate, Fox Footy, Kayo Sports

LAST MEETING

Round 5, 2023
Western Bulldogs 6.0 (36) def. by Euro-Yroke 8.6 (54)

The Saints spoilt the Bulldogs’ homecoming last season, recording a three-goal win at the newly redeveloped Mission Whitten Oval. Alice Edmonds' first career goal – coming in game No.31 – saw the Dogs take the lead for the first time before half-time, having shaken off their slow start. But St Kilda weren't deterred, pulling clear in the third term and holding the lead until the final siren. Ellie Blackburn, De Berry, Isabelle Pritchard and Kirsty Lamb were among the Bulldogs; best in defeat.

THE LINE-UP

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

– Gemma Bastiani, womens.afl

Euro-Yroke has slowed after a strong start to the season, having won just one game in its last six and feeling stagnant in its ball movement. The side is yet to win a disposal count this year, and only one inside 50 count (narrowly in its win over the Giants), seeing it hand far too much opportunity and control to the opposition during games. It is here that the Dogs can pounce. They have been improving around the contest as the year has worn on, and it will be a key way of putting the Saints on the back foot. Euro-Yroke's best footy comes when it's controlling the midfield, so this will be the Bulldogs' main priority, particularly with Isabelle Pritchard and Jess Fitzgerald coming off strong games last week.

The Bulldogs' attacking footy – where they opt to play their own brand, rather than focus wholly on negating the opposition - looks dangerous with speedy forwards like Heidi Woodley, Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner and Elaine Grigg. They just need to ensure they give them opportunity. The concern at the other end of the ground is Jesse Wardlaw, who will likely keep Issy Grant occupied for the duration.

The Bulldogs have pulled off a thrilling one-point win over Euro-Yroke in Ballarat on Sunday.

Showing plenty of spirit late, the Dogs pulled off the 5.6 (36) to 5.5 (35) victory.

The win gives the Dogs four victories with a round remaining.

The Bulldogs are also well out of the hunt for a finals berth this year, but they have registered consecutive victories over the past two rounds after a 2-6 start.

Jessica Fitzgerald starred for the Dogs, celebrating her 50-game milestone with 26 disposals, six clearances and a goal.

Captain Deanna Berry also shone with 21 touches and five clearances. She also kicked one of the goals of the season with a brilliant snap from hard up against the boundary line under pressure from two opponents.

Nat Exon and Ashleigh Richards kicked two goals each for Euro-Yroke, which led throughout the first half and stretched its lead to 14 points early in the third quarter.

But the Bulldogs kicked the next three goals and led by one point at the 10-minute mark of the final term through a behind to Heidi Woodley, which was the final score of the game.

Wardlaw (18 disposals, 11 hitouts) impressed in the ruck and was gifted a chance to win the game through a free kick paid against Alice Edmonds.

She sprayed the shot badly from just inside 50 metres.

Euro-Yroke had one last chance when Elisabeth Georgostathis was penalised for deliberate out of bounds, but Smith put her shot out on the full and the Bulldogs hung on.

Berry beauty
Bulldogs captain Deanna Berry produced a moment of magic late in the first half. With her side trailing by eight points, Berry collected the ball after a stoppage deep in attack and snapped a stunning finish from a tight angle in a contender for the NAB AFLW Goal of the Year.

Saint makes long-awaited return
After a series of Achilles and leg injuries, Rebecca Ott made her return for the Saints on Sunday. In her first game in two years, the defender started the game forward. Ott looked dangerous at times and finished with four disposals and two marks.

Up next
The Saints will finish their campaign against Brisbane at RSEA Park next Sunday at 1.05pm AEDT. The Bulldogs wrap up their 2024 season away to Walyalup, also on Sunday, at 7.05pm AEDT.

WESTERN BULLDOGS          0.1    2.1    4.5    5.6(36)
EURO-YROKE                        1.2    3.3    4.5    5.5(35)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: McKee, Hartwig, Fitzgerald, Carruthers, Berry
Euro-Yroke: Richards 2, Exon 2, McDonald

BEST 
Western Bulldogs: Fitzgerald, Berry, Pritchard, Carruthers, Edmonds
Euro-Yroke: Richards, Watson, Lambert, Wardlaw, McDonald

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Euro-Yroke: Jakobsson (knee)

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 1,918 at Mars Stadium