The Western Bulldogs have laid their claim for a finals spot with a comprehensive 43-point demolition of Essendon.

In front of a bumper crowd of 4327 at Mission Whitten Oval, kicking off the two-week Pride Round celebration, the Dogs were far too strong in the stoppages in the 10.5 (65) to 2.10 (22) victory, and have snuck into the four at this early stage of the weekend.

Emma McDonald spent time off the field receiving treatment for an elbow injury (but played out the game) and in her absence, Sarah Hartwig stood up with four goals, taking her season's tally to a career-best 12.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:28

    AFLW R9 | Team Song

    Watch the Bulldogs celebrate their round nine win

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    Video
  • 05:38

    AFLW R9 | Match Highlights

    The Bulldogs and Bombers clash in round nine of the 2026 NAB AFLW Season

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    Video
  • 00:37

    AFLW RD9 | 'Having some sort of evening': Hartwig hammers home fourth

    Sarah Hartwig continues her stunning night with another superb finish right after half-time to bring up her fourth goal

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  • 00:45

    AFLW R9 | Woodley's snap 'brings the house down'

    Heidi Woodley curls one to perfection and celebrates in style as the Bulldogs break away

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  • 00:48

    AFLW R9 | 'Queen of Whitten Oval': Blackburn's bouncer works wonders for Dogs

    Ellie Blackburn's kick takes a dream bounce for Emma McDonald, who makes the most of the opportunity

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Recent recruit Mikala Cann (21 disposals, seven tackles) was more than handy, with deft ball use and sharp handballs setting her teammates up on the outside, while Izzy Pritchard racked up 18 disposals and six clearances in the first half alone as the Dogs raced out to a 28-point lead, finishing with 30 and 10.

Alice Edmonds well and truly had the better of the ruck battle against Steph Wales (28 hitouts to 13), while Jess Fitzgerald (22 touches and a goal) and Cleo Buttifant (19 and six clearances) provided some grunt around the stoppages.

05:38

AFLW R9 | Match Highlights

The Bulldogs and Bombers clash in round nine of the 2026 NAB AFLW Season

Twin factor
Identical twins Mizuki (No.22, Bulldogs) and Nalu Brothwell (No.11, Essendon) faced off against each other for the first time in their lives, having always played on the same team in both juniors and netball. But after spending all season in attack, Essendon's Nalu was sent to defence, robbing fans of an all-Brothwell battle. The two patrolled their respective half-back lines, and even had five touches and one clearance each at quarter-time. The pair arguably had their best games for their career, Mizuki finishing with 17 touches, and Nalu with 13.

Up next
The Western Bulldogs have a tougher task next week, up against Carlton at Ikon Park in a throwback to the first AFLW Pride Game in 2018. Essendon has the toughest task of all, hosting North Melbourne in a Windy Hill Pride double-header.

WESTERN BULLDOGS    2.1   6.3   7.4   10.5 (65)
ESSENDON    1.4   1.5   2.9   2.10 (22)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Hartwig 4, McDonald 2, Woodley 2, Cann, Fitzgerald
Essendon: Gough, Alexander

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Pritchard, Cann, Fitzgerald, Hartwig, Buttifant, Edmonds
Essendon: Prespakis, Toogood, Cain, Gay

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: McDonald (elbow)
Essendon: Nil

Crowd: 4,327 at Mission Whitten Oval

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