Doggone it, an injury double

FOR the second straight week a serious knee injury has marred victory for AFLW pacesetters the Western Bulldogs after comeback forward Isabel Huntington broke down in their upset nine-point win over Brisbane.

Huntington’s horror run continued yesterday when she suffered a suspected seasonending injury just as she looked to cut loose in the second quarter of the AFLW second-round clash in front of 5300 fans at South Pine Sports Complex in Brisbane.

Huntington booted two goals in as many minutes for the visitors before her right knee buckled running towards a contest halfway through the second term.

It was another blow for Huntington who missed the entire 2017 season due to a left knee injury. She also broke her right leg in 2015. It didn’t look good for AFLW No.1 draft pick Huntington who emerged from the changerooms after half-time in crutches.

Early flag fancies the Bulldogs also lost Tasmanian forward Daria Bannister to a season-ending knee injury in their first-round win over Fremantle.

The Bulldogs’ second straight win marked 2017 AFLW grand finalist Brisbane’s first regular season loss in its club history.

The stifling 36C heat seemed to take its toll early, with just three points scored in the first term before Huntington’s double gave the visitors a 4.2 (26) to a 0.3 (3) half-time lead.

Brisbane couldn’t reel in the deficit and crashed to a disappointing loss after opening the season with a convincing away win over Adelaide.