The Western Bulldogs have consigned finals hopeful Richmond to a 0-2 start, out-working the Tigers in a 21-point win at IKON Park.

It was a tightly fought contest for most of the day in near-perfect conditions, until the Dogs put the foot down in the final term while holding the Tigers scoreless, securing the 6.6 (42) to 3.3 (21) victory.

00:43

AFLW R2 | Super Stephenson bends a beauty after silver service

Louise Stephenson threads a lovely snap after Emma McDonald's elite handball to set up the goal

Fierce tackling was the order of the day, with the Bulldogs especially making sure their defensive efforts hit the mark.

Both sides had plenty of opportunities early, locking the ball inside their attacking ends for large periods of the first term, but just couldn't find the middle of the sticks, with a number of shots dribbling out of play and not scoring at all.

The Bulldogs sent defender Liz Georgostathis to Monique Conti (21, six clearances) at the opening centre bounce, and while it wasn't a completely hard tag, the tenacious Dog made life difficult for the superstar in her 75th game around the contest.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 04:00

    Tam Hyett | Post Match (R2)

    Watch Western Bulldogs’s press conference after round two’s match against Richmond

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    Video
  • 05:11

    AFLW R2 | Deanna Berry roams the fan zone

    De chats with the players following the first win of the season

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    Video
  • 05:35

    AFLW R2 | Match Highlights

    The Tigers and Bulldogs clash in round two of the 2025 NAB AFLW Season

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  • 00:23

    AFLW R2 | Team Song

    Watch the Bulldogs celebrate their round two win

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  • 00:33

    AFLW R2 | Clutch Dogs double up in seconds with dual crackers

    Heidi Woodley stays down and snaps a gem through a sea of opponents before a classy Isabelle Pritchard delivers the final blow

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  • 00:36

    AFLW R2 | Clean Gavalas swoops and shoots as Dogs respond

    Ellie Gavalas fires truly from the traffic to maintain her side's control

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  • 00:43

    AFLW R2 | Super Stephenson bends a beauty after silver service

    Louise Stephenson threads a lovely snap after Emma McDonald's elite handball to set up the goal

    AFLW
    Video

The Dogs took a seven-point lead into the final break after Ellie Gavalas took advantage of a scrap in front of her side's goals, pouncing accordingly.

They had all the running in the final term, with Heidi Woodley and Isabelle Pritchard sealing the game with the final two goals.

Reigning Dogs best and fairest Pritchard (19, seven clearances) was superb in her second game back from a knee injury, working well in tandem with Jess Fitzgerald, while Isabella Grant patrolled the backline and quelled Katie Brennan.

00:23

AFLW R2 | Team Song

Watch the Bulldogs celebrate their round two win

The Dogs' future forward line is now

Draftee Emma McDonald and second-year half-forward Elaine Grigg combined beautifully on a number of occasions to help the Dogs hit the scoreboard.

Key forward McDonald didn't just kick a goal herself, but set up Lou Stephenson with some sharp hands over her head.

Grigg was a livewire both further afield and close to goal, and her tackling was a hallmark of the Dogs' game.

Gallery | AFLW Round 2 v Richmond

All the action from our clash with the Tigers at IKON Park.
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Up next

The Tigers travel to the Top End, taking on Essendon in Darwin to open the two-week Indigenous Round celebrations.

The Dogs have a stiff challenge, hosting Hawthorn at Mission Whitten Oval on Saturday night.

Match summary:

RICHMOND                      1.2     2.2     3.3     3.3     (21)
WESTERN BULLDOGS     1.1     3.3     4.4     6.6     (42)

GOALS
Richmond: Scott, Greiser, Shevlin
Western Bulldogs: Grigg, McDonald, Stephenson, Gavalas, Woodley, Pritchard

BEST
Richmond: Conti, McKenzie, Kelly, Seymour
Western Bulldogs: Pritchard, Grant, Fitzgerald, Wilcox, Grigg, Kimber