Dockers defeat Dogs… Barely

The Western Bulldogs seemed well and truly ready to play the best team of Conference B.

From the first bounce, they brought a level of physicality that was able to match Freo’s efforts more effectively than perhaps any other team so far.

The Dogs had prepared for the spread so characteristic of the team from Fremantle, and were able to keep up with them at every turn.

‘We wanted to take the game on. We wanted to take the ball and run’, said Bulldogs Coach Nathan Burke at the first break.

They certainly seemed to do that, especially early on as fans watching on screens realised they were in for an arm wrestle, the teams breaking even in the counts for clearances, inside 50s and contested possessions.

For the majority of the game, it was the Dogs that proved most effective with their disposals and at times, it seemed as though they had the Dockers cornered in what might have been the biggest upset of the season.

Freo were able to hang on though and, with a final effort, managed to put away a number of unanswered goals in the final term, edging over the top of the Dogs before breaking away with the win.

Isabel Huntingdon dangerous for the dogs

There can be no question that the 21-year-old defender is an absolute force for the Bulldogs’ backline.

She was largely responsible for spoiling Freo’s attempts to bring the ball forward, stifling their attack and allowing the Bulldogs to lead for the better part of the first three quarters.

There seemed to be little she could do wrong as she was able to get on the end of Freo’s kicks again and again.

She racked up an impressive 15 disposals in her centre half-back role as well as six marks.

She maintained her energy into the fourth quarter but her and the other defenders were eventually overpowered by the Dockers’ persistence that enabled them to take the lead and come away with the win, maintaining their unbeaten status.

Ebony Antonio steadies Freo ship

Antonio was a stand-out player for the Dockers today, totalling 19 disposals and 10 tackles to go with the goal she scored early in the fourth term.

In her position as half-forward, she was able to help out the midfielders by entering contests and presenting herself as a strong target for the ball.

This performance is just the latest in a slew of games that have seen her gradually improve since the beginning of the season, and we can hope that we will continue to see this growth as Freo prepare for the finals appearances that seem inevitable now after six wins in a row.