Meanwhile, the Western Bulldogs produced one of the most dominant displays in season history in their last game. They defeated the Collingwood Magpies by an unprecedented 57 points. Under the guidance of coach Tam Hyett, the Bulldogs showcased their immense physicality on the attack. They secured their second-straight win over the Magpies, who are led by Sam Wright.
Clearly, Canadian Ellie Blackburn was the Bulldogs’ shining star. She was at the forefront of the attack with a four-goal haul and had 25 touches in the match. Blackburn captained the side to a 2018 premiership-winning captain. In doing so, she proved her excellent skill and leadership, making the biggest impact on the outcome of the match.
Izzy Pritchard punctuated her game with authority, dominating the contest with 33 touches and 11 clearances. Her strong performance opened everything up for the Bulldogs’ potent offense. Alice Edmunds complemented the team’s efforts with one goal and an impressive 36 hitouts, showcasing her dominance in the ruck.
The tussle was not without its obstacles for either side. Magpie Ruby Schleicher was assisted from play in the fourth term with a suspected knee injury. Her knee was heavily strapped the entire game. In another stroke of misfortune for the down on their luck Magpies, the incident stemmed from Edmond accidentally stepping on the right hand of Schleicher.
Even after sustaining a wrist injury earlier in the game, Ash Centra displayed her toughness by coming back to play. She took the attempt, hoping to make a difference, but her kick went astray. This play was emblematic of the broader issues that Collingwood encountered throughout this particular contest.
Jessica Williams had the first of those goals to Sarah Hartwig, doubling the Bulldogs lead and putting them firmly in control. With the Magpies closed off at every turn, the Bulldogs’ balanced attack and masterful counter moves proved too much, stopping them in their place.
The defeat marks a challenging period for Collingwood, as they grapple with consecutive losses. The squad will have to go back to the drawing board and correct what they lack if they want any chance of saving their season.
