The Western Bulldogs have fallen four points short against the West Coast Eagles, despite a final quarter comeback at Leederville Oval in Perth.
At one stage trailing by two goals in the last term, the Bulldogs had their opportunities but couldn’t capitalise, as they fell agonisingly short of a second win in 2020.
Kirsten McLeod had a chance late in the game to put the visitors ahead, with her set shot narrowly missing.
The Bulldogs were slow out of the blocks, as the Eagles took the ascendancy early and held a seven-point lead at the first change.
But late in that quarter, the visitors found their feet, and they carried that momentum into the second term.
After being held goalless in the opening quarter, Kim Rennie and Dani Marshall both split the sticks in the second as the Bulldogs went into half-time with a five-point lead.
The Eagles hit back in the third term, kicking two goals to none to head into the final stage with a seven-point advantage.
After conceding the first goal of the final term, the Bulldogs rallied as Izzy Huntington converted a sharp set shot, but they couldn’t find a match-winner after that.
Skipper Ellie Blackburn led the way for the Bulldogs with 19 disposals, while number one draft pick Gabby Newton was impressive with 16 disposals and 10 tackles.
Hannah Scott and Kirsty Lamb (15 disposals) both found plenty of the ball, with McLeod dangerous around goal and Gemma Lagioia (12 disposals) offering dash out of defence.
After injuring her knee in the first quarter, Bonnie Toogood took no further part in the game.
WEST COAST EAGLES 1.3 1.4 3.6 4.6 (30)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.2 2.3 2.5 3.8 (26)
GOALS
West Coast Eagles: Swanson, G. Kelly, Bullas, Atkin
Western Bulldogs: Rennie, Huntington, Marshall
