IT was certainly a very interesting weekend in the VFL Women’s, as a number of shock results certainly shook up the narrative being written about this season. It was an especially happy weekend for the Western Bulldogs, who earned their first win since Round 14 2021 with a 39 point win over North Melbourne.

The Bulldogs stamped their authority on the game from the get go, and played with a confidence and surety that at times since their last win had been severely lacking. The Bulldogs were quick to get it inside their forward 50 and lock it in their front half, but it took a couple of minutes for them to finally convert, and did so via Brianna McFarlane. McFarlane had her second a mere minute later, and the Bulldogs were really starting to establish a stranglehold on the game.

North Melbourne finally earned its first inside 50 seven minutes into the term, but could not make it fully count as the Bulldogs defence held up strong. The Bulldogs then made them really pay by running it up the other end and feeding it to McFarlane, who slotted it through for her third for the term.

The Bulldogs were finding the space well in attack, and looked a very different side to the one that could not win a game in 2022. Kate McCarthy slotted one late in the term for the Bulldogs to extend the lead out to what ultimately would be the quarter time margin of 26 points, and the Bulldogs were already starting to establish quite the dominance on this game.

It did not even take a minute for the Bulldogs to start their scoring in the second term when Mali McLeod slotted her first for the afternoon. The goals just kept coming for the Bulldogs as Dominique Carbone got in on the action and suddenly the margin was heading towards 40 points.

The Bulldogs were setting up a really good wall on their forward 50, which allowed them to lock it in their 50 really well. North eventually did manage to break free of the Bulldogs stranglehold and finally kicked their first major of the game 11 minutes into the term via the boot of Emily Paterno. That would ultimately be the final score from either side for the quarter as much of the rest of the quarter was spent between the 50m arcs.

The Bulldogs were again quick to get on the board in the third term, with Imahra Cameron slotting through her first of the game after only a minute. The next goal did not come until the seven and a half minute mark, when North finally booted their second major, this time through Zara Flanigan.

Unfortunately for the Roos that would be their final goal for the afternoon as chances continued to be few and far between.

Scoring then dried up for the Bulldogs too, with McLeod’s second goal, which came in the final minute and a half of the third term, being the last goal the Dogs would score for the game. It did not matter for the Dogs, which still went on to hold on for a confidence boosting win.

Some of the major ball winners for the Bulldogs included Tahlia Meier and Sarah Skinner, while Annabel Scott and Jess Mourney were busy for the Roos.

In other results:

• Collingwood brought to an end Casey’s undefeated run, downing the Dees by 17 points.

A four goals to nil first quarter set up the win for Collingwood, who despite then going scoreless in the second term still managed to restrict Casey’s scoring chances enough to take the win.

Nyakoat Dojiok and Monique DeMatteo both kicked two majors for Collingwood, as did Ciara Burke for the Dees. Meanwhile Jessica Bates had another busy game for Collingwood, finishing with 24 touches, as did Megan Fitzsimon for Casey, recording 27 touches.

• Box Hill ended the undefeated run of the Southern Saints, defeating the Saints by 29 points yesterday afternoon.

Things were level at quarter time, but the Hawks pulled away in the second term and never looked back. Sarah Perkins and Sophie Locke both kicked two majors for the Hawks, with one of Perkins’ goals coming from the centre square, while Tessa Boyd and Winnie Laing topped the disposal tally for the Saints.

• Carlton earned a statement win over Essendon, knocking off the Bombers by 54 points.

After a slow start from both sides, it was not really until the fourth quarter when Carlton really put the foot down, kicking three goals to one to run away with the match. Eliza Wood and Mia Cowan both kicked two majors for Carlton, while Sophie Molan and Alana Barba both found plenty of the ball for Essendon.

• Port Melbourne earned a narrow win over Williamstown.

Scores were level late, but a goal to the Borough inside the final minute and a half sealed the win for the visitors. No one kicked more than one goal for either side, but Lauren Caruso and Bridie Kennedy both earned plenty of the ball for their respective sides.

• It was another tough weekend for Darebin, this time going down to Geelong by 76 points.

Down in a windy Geelong, Darebin did not score until the final term as Geelong put their foot down from the get-go to seal a handy win. Sachi DeGiacomi booted four goals for the Cats while both Chloe Scheer and Olivia Cicolini booted two each. Meanwhile for the Falcons, leaders Ange Gogos and Stephanie Simpson both battled hard all afternoon for their team in what was another tough day at the office.