A fighting performance from the Western Bulldogs wasn’t enough to claim an upset win against the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos at North Hobart Oval on Saturday.
The Bulldogs had their opportunities and pressed hard in the final term, but ultimately fell 11 points short as the Kangaroos ran out 5.7 (37) to 3.8 (26) winners.
It leaves the Bulldogs with a 4-3 record after seven games and most likely needing to win their remaining two games to be a chance of playing finals football.
The first 10 minutes of the game was an arm wrestle, before the Kangaroos managed to find some space and kick out to a three-goal lead at the first change.
From there, the Bulldogs’ star duo – Ellie Blackburn and Izzy Huntington – took charge.
Both had a significant influence in the second term to pull the margin back to 11 points at the major break.
Neither side could break through in the third term, until a Emma Kearney free kick on the siren – and a goal after it – extended the Kangaroos’ buffer to 21 points at the final interval.
Bonnie Toogood found the first major of the last quarter. The Bulldogs dominated play for the term, but couldn’t capitalise on the scoreboard – finishing with 1.4 for the quarter, while holding the Kangaroos scoreless in a late charge.
Tough midfielder Kirsty Lamb was the Bulldogs’ best, finishing with 21 disposals and five tackles.
Blackburn finished with 18 disposals, while emerging defender Eleanor Brown (nine disposals, 10 tackles) was also influential.
Huntington (11 disposals, four marks, two goals two behinds) was the most influential forward on the ground, closely followed by Toogood (13 disposals, six marks, one goal).
The Bulldogs now turn their attention to another tough interstate challenge – against the Adelaide Crows at Norwood Oval on Sunday 21 March.
NORTH MELBOURNE 3.0 4.2 5.7 5.7 (37)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.1 2.3 2.4 3.8 (26)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Kearney 2, Bateman, King, Riddell
Western Bulldogs: Huntington 2, Toogood
BEST
North Melbourne: Garner, Kearney, Riddell, Duffin, Gavalas, E. King
Western Bulldogs: Lamb, Blackburn, Huntington, Toogood, Newton, Brown
