IT was all smiles on the plane back from Sydney as the Western Bulldogs beat GWS GIANTS by 43 points in their AFLW practice match at Henson Park on Sunday.

Heidi Woodley was one of several Dogs who enjoyed a solid performance, finishing with the impressive stat line of 20 disposals, five tackles and goal. 

Following the game, the 21-year-old spoke proudly on the team’s ability to rally together after half time, following a sluggish start to the game. 

“I think we probably started a bit slower than we would've liked in the first half and then we came together as a group a half time,” Woodley said.

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Heidi Woodley | "We're really proud as a group"

Forward Heidi Woodley reflects on the practice match victory over GWS at Henson Park.

“We put the pressure on and obviously it would’ve been nice to get a few more of those goals in, but it was a really dominant second half and we’re really proud of this group.”

Woodley praised the team's ability to apply pressure and force the turnover, allowing the Dogs to set up their offence in the second half of the game. 

“We obviously have a really strong offensive line and we have a lot of speed that when we get out the back we’re pretty damaging,” she said. 

“To turn it over in the middle of the ground in defence helps us set up our offence which is what we need to do.”

Woodley spoke on her own part in the win and how she was able to work with the team around her to move in and out of her role.

Particularly, Woodley’s ability to combine with the lively Elaine Grigg across the half-forward line and around the contest worked heavily in the Dogs’ ability to raise the pressure on the opposition.  

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AFLW Practice Match | All the goals

Watch all the goals from the Dogs' win over the GIANTS

“She’s outstanding,” Woodley said of Grigg.

“We work really well together and if it's not her [bringing the pressure] it's me.

“I just take it in my stride when I can get up the ground and have an opportunity to impact I do that, but if not I play my role.”

Looking forward to their next pre-season hitout against the Pies, Woodley said the team will need to work on putting in maximum efforts for the entirety of the game. 

“You probably look at the result and think we did really well for four quarters but I think as a group we’re not satisfied…we want to keep pushing to get better,” she said. 

“Next week [against Collingwood] we’ll really hone in on putting that defence in from the get go, and then being able to hit hard for four quarters would be good.”