A second half comeback wasn’t enough to pull back a fast starting Western Bulldogs as Fremantle fell by 26 points at VU Whitten Oval on Sunday.
Two of Fremantle’s strongest players in Dana Hooker and Kara Donnellan again stood up as Freo came under fire early.
Four Freo Dockers played their first ever NAB AFL Women’s game in Ashlee Atkins, Evie Gooch, Jodie White and Leah Mascall.
Former Giant Alex Williams also made her Freo debut, standing tall in defence, especially as Freo were under pressure early.
Katie Brennan and Ellie Blackburn spearheaded the Western Bulldogs underlining their side's premiership credentials in the process.
Brennan's dominant display – she booted three goals all in the first half – and Blackburn's ball-winning ability (23 disposals and a goal) emphasised the legitimacy of those predictions.
Fremantle kicked all three of its goals in the third quarter, which included two to Amy Lavell and another to Ashley Sharp to cut the margin to just 15 points at three-quarter time.
Despite Fremantle continuing to put pressure on the Bulldogs in the final term, the Bulldogs steadied with the wind and sent an ominous warning to the competition that they will be one of the teams to beat in this year's AFLW season.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.2 5.4 5.6 7.7 (49)
FREMANTLE 0.0 0.0 3.3 3.5 (23)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Brennan 3, Blackburn, Lochland, Toogood, O'Connor
Fremantle: Lavell 2, Sharp
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Blackburn, Brennan, Kearney, Lochland, Lamb, Utri
Fremantle: Donnellan, Hooker, Lavell, Miller
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Callinan (TBC), Bannister (knee)
Fremantle: Antonio (head knock)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: TBC
Official crowd: 8,500 at Whitten Oval
