The Western Bulldogs have finished their AFLW season with a gallant 32-point defeat to reigning premiers Brisbane at Mars Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Taking the game West to sunny Ballarat, the Lions managed to claim the bigger moments to run out 10.6 (66) to 5.4 (34) winners.
The fixture completes a mixed campaign for the red, white, and blue, finishing just one position outside the finals in seventh - a positive effort given the difficulties the group faced at the beginning of the season.
Losing the first three games of the season, the Bulldogs fought hard all season to win four of their last six games and showing plenty of promise with some young stars emerging.
Skipper Ellie Blackburn led the way for her Bulldogs’ side against the Lions, collecting a game-high 25 touches and four tackles.
Despite an injury scare to star Kirsty Lamb, the midfielder battled hard to record 12 touches and a goal, while Isabelle Pritchard and Naomi Ferres showed plenty with standout performances.
Beginning the second half only a goal down, the Bulldogs couldn’t stay with the powerful Brisbane outfit, as the visitors kicked five of the last six goals to run away with the contest.
Rocky Cranston kicked her second goal deep in the third to reduce the margin to 20-points, but early goals in the last sniffed off any opportunity for the Dogs.
Deanna Berry opened the Bulldogs' scoring account with the first of the day, while Bonnie Toogood completed a nice passage of play from a solid angle in the second.
The fixture signalled the end of the road for Bulldogs' favourite Ash Guest with the defender retiring before the match.
The 31-year-old finishes with 40 matches to her name, including 22 for the red, white and blue.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.2 4.3 5.3 5.4 (34)
BRISBANE 3.3 5.3 8.5 10.6 (66)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Cranston 2, Berry, Toogood, Lamb
Brisbane: Conway 2, O'Dwyer 2, Bodey 2, Farquharson, Campbell, Hodder, Smith
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Ferres, Moody, Blackburn, Pritchard
Brisbane: Bates, Svarc, Conway, Campbell, Bodey
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Brisbane: Nil
Reports: Nil
Crowd: 1,526 at Mars Stadium
