WA fight to the finish against Bulldogs

Western Australia fell 13 points short of the Western Bulldogs after a spirited comeback in the AFL women’s exhibition match at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, June 5.

WA were first to score with a goal to Kiara Bowers and led at quarter time before the Bulldogs steadied to build an 11-point buffer at the half.

WA fought hard to reduce the margin to seven points at three-quarter time following a second goal to Bowers just before the break, then cut the Bulldogs lead back to a solitary point after a great passage of play resulted in a Kellie Gibson goal.

Sabrina Frederick-Traub also added a second goal in the fourth quarter for WA, however, Bulldogs spearhead Moana Hope continued her dangerous form up forward for the Bulldogs and booted her third goal to consolidate a 13-point win.

Bowers was named best on ground for WA with her hard running and two goals, while midfielder Kara Donnellan, ruck Emma King, captain Renee Forth, key forward Sabrina Frederick-Traub and half-forward Lara Filocamo were also among the best players.

The AFL Women’s Exhibition Series continues on Saturday, September 2 when the Western Bulldogs play Melbourne for the Hampson-Hardeman Cup.

WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.4 4.4 5.4 8.5 (53)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 1.2 2.5 3.9 5.10 (40)

GOALS

Western Bulldogs: Hope 3, Cranston 2, Jakobsson, Gamble, E Kearney

Western Australia: Bowers 2, Frederick-Traub 2, Gibson

BEST

Western Bulldogs: Davey, Jakobsson, Arnell, Paxman, Lambert, Chiocci

Western Australia: Bowers, Donnellan, King, Forth, Filocamo, Frederick-Traub

Photo: WA’s Melissa Caulfield is tackled by Bulldogs player Karen Paxman at Etihad Stadium. Photo: AFL Media