Dogs too good for Dockers at home

KATIE Brennan and Ellie Blackburn have starred for the Western Bulldogs in a 26-point AFLW win over Fremantle at Whitten Oval.

Bulldogs skipper Brennan (above) booted three first-half goals as her side prevailed 7.7 (49) to 3.5 (23) in a seesawing contest in front of 8500 fans yesterday. Blackburn had 23 possessions and a third-quarter goal.

The Dogs powered out of the gates to lead by 34 points at halftime, with the visitors unable to register a single point in the opening two quarters.

Brennan, restricted to just two games last season by ankle and quad injuries, kicked the opening two goals of the game, with her second a brilliant effort from a set shot on the boundary.

But in a stunning turnaround, the Dockers – with the aid of a stiff breeze – piled on three goals in the third term, while the Bulldogs went goalless. Amy Lavell sparked the Fremantle fightback with two goals inside a minute to start the second half.

That was all the fight the Dockers could muster, however, with Bonnie Toodgood and Aasta O’Connor securing the points with the only two goals of the term. Kara Donnellan and Dana Hooker were the leading possession winners for Fremantle with 12 touches each.

In one of the few lowlights for the Dogs, youngster Daria Bannister was stretchered off after a blow to the head. The Dogs will travel to the South Pine Sports Complex to take on Brisbane next Sunday, while the Dockers will play at the new Perth Stadium against Collingwood on Saturday.