The X-factor Kirsten McLeod adds around goal for the Western Bulldogs was on full display on Friday night.

After missing round one due to concussion, the 26-year-old had a significant impact in a thrilling six-point win against the Blues.

McLeod might want to avoid the replays of her first moment – a missed chance running into an open goal.

“We speak of in the moment and now,” she said post-game.

“So I just had to push through and forget about it and just work on what I could work on for the rest of the game.”

That’s exactly what happened.

McLeod’s second moment – a first goal 20 seconds into the third term, on the run from the pocket – was exceptional, and another goal in the final quarter proved the difference in the end on the scoreboard.

“We just backed each other,” McLeod said of the team’s grit in that tense final quarter.

“We train for this, and with the Pride Round as well we just really wanted to represent and we hadn’t won here for nearly two years.

“We just wanted to put the grind in and run over them in the end.”

Bulldogs’ coach Nathan Burke couldn’t have been happier with McLeod’s output after a limited pre-season.

“She’s missed four weeks through a concussion,” he said.

“She was right to go last week, but we just gave her another week.

“She’s just going to get better and better. Coming off a really interrupted four weeks, that was amazing.”