The Western Bulldogs have stormed to a 21-point upset win over Richmond to claim their first victory of the AFLW season.
In a see-sawing contest at Ikon Park, the Bulldogs claimed five of the final six goals of the game to prevail 6.6 (42) to 3.3 (21) and strike a blow to the Tigers’ finals hopes.
Isabelle Pritchard (19 disposals, 14 contested possessions, one goal) was magnificent, with support from Jessica Fitzgerald (18 disposals).
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Isabella Grant (17 disposals, 11 intercept possessions) kept Richmond skipper Katie Brennan goalless, while the Tigers had no answers for ruck Alice Edmonds (33 hitouts).
Elaine Grigg (six score involvements and a goal) sparked the Bulldogs early — but could come under some scrutiny for a dangerous tackle on Monique Conti.
Conti (21 disposals, six clearances, 12 tackles, 12 contested possessions) and Ellie McKenzie (17 disposals) were Richmond’s best.
Veteran Ellie Blackburn, sidelined last year with a nasty foot injury, celebrated the Bulldogs’ impressive response to their first-up loss to Melbourne.
“Personally, it’s been a long time between wins for me,” Blackburn told Fox Footy.
“But for the group itself, we tried really hard this week to get back to the way we wanted to be able to play, off the back of last week, which was relatively disappointing for us.
“So to come out today and play a really nice brand of footy, kick some goals late in the game, and see some girls kick their first goal and celebrate — awesome win for us.
“... I feel like I’m a new kid. I have a newfound love for the game again.
“I’m like the eight-year-old version of me that’s just living her childhood dream at the moment.”
Grigg kicked off the game with a thumping tackle on Ellie McKenzie and then delivered the Dogs’ first goal.
But Paige Scott put the Tigers in front after the quarter-time siren, while Caitlin Greiser extended their lead to six early in the second term.
The Bulldogs regained control, leading by seven at half-time and maintaining that lead at three-quarter time.
Richmond’s Beth Lynch took an incredible mark going back with the flight early in the final term.
But it wasn’t enough to inspire a comeback.
Heidi Woodley snapped a wonderful goal through traffic to seal the deal, then Pritchard turned Sunday afternoon into party time.
The Bulldogs (1-1) next play Hawthorn at Whitten Oval on Saturday while Richmond (0-2) face Essendon in Darwin on Friday night.
Elsewhere, North Melbourne superstar Jasmine Garner produced one of the best individual AFLW performances of all-time in the reigning premiers’ 72-point demolition of Port Adelaide.
Garner kicked a career-best six goals from 30 disposals as the Kangaroos unveiled their premiership flag at Arden Street on Sunday before posting a dominant 13.9 (87) to 2.3 (15) victory.
It extended the Darren Crocker-coached side’s unbeaten run to 16 matches, after a dominant 2024 campaign and perfect 2-0 start to the new season.
The only sour note for North was losing Kim Rennie to a left ankle sprain in a ruck contest during the third quarter.
Garner’s six-goal haul was just one short of the record-equalling seven kicked by Sydney’s Chloe Molloy against Gold Coast a day earlier.
The 31-year-old’s stunning first half included four goals from 16 touches, eight contested possessions and eight score involvements.
“I’m pretty lucky,” Garner told Channel 7 at half-time.
“I’ve got such a great midfield and team around me. They allow me to get forward and get on the end of a few.”
North Melbourne had no shortage of stars, with Garner and fellow midfielder Ash Riddell at the top of the list.
Riddell tallied a career-best 43 disposals, seven clearances and a goal, and was full of praise for first-year captain Garner.
“I love playing with her. She’s one of my best mates and it’s nice to see her go forward and kick a few snags,” Riddell said.
“She’s so humble and an amazing leader, so we love playing footy with her.”
Essendon snatched a five-point victory from the jaws of defeat against West Coast, with Sophie Alexander kicking the winning goal in the final 15 seconds.
The Bombers appeared destined to rue their inaccuracy when the Eagles claimed a one-point lead late in the piece.
But with 50 seconds left, the home side surged forward and Georgia Gee picked out lifelong Essendon fan Alexander, who kicked truly to deliver a 4.7 (31) to 4.2 (26) victory.
“I don’t think the adrenaline will leave my body for a while now,” Alexander told Fox Footy.
“It’s about time I turned up and did something. You can have a rubbish game and come in in the end and still get your moment in footy. So very happy.
“We needed that (win) and it’s only gonna make us stronger.”
The Bombers move to 2-0 but the win came at a cost, with Van De Huevel suffering a knee injury in the second term.
Essendon midfielders Georgia Nanscawen (24 disposals), Amy Gaylor (22) and Maddy Prespakis (22) starred while skipper Bonnie Toogood (2.3) had her moments.
Eagles gun Ella Roberts (21 disposals) and veteran Emma Swanson (20) were excellent, while Kayla Dalgleish kicked two goals.
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