THE WESTERN Bulldogs have picked up a big win by the smallest of margins on the weekend, downing Euro-Yroke to end the Saints’ hopes of making the finals in the 2024 AFLW season.

Reflecting post match, Bulldogs coach Tam Hyett said she was really happy with how her side reset after half time.

“I think the reset at halftime, we weren’t overly happy with what we were delivering structurally in the first half, but then it wasn’t pretty the second half, but we found a way,” Hyett said.  

“Especially in that last two minute period where we were under the pump, just the want not to be beaten.”

The Bulldogs also showed a real hunger in the match despite what the Saints dished up to them. Reflecting on the hunger her side showed in the match, Hyett said they want to be better every week.

“So that means that every area contest, offense, defence, we want to be better, so we were really desperate today to continue on from the good work we did last week,” she said.

“And it showed we were probably beaten to the ball in the first half, and that was the biggest reset, making sure that we were winning first possession and then our second phase was better.”

The Bulldogs were able to control the ball through the field and really take away Euro-Yroke’s run, and Hyett explained that the Bulldogs had really done their homework in that area.

“We scouted that they like the kick/mark chain, so we thought that we had to be up on them and try and take away theirs. But what it allowed us to do is find pockets of space for us when we wanted on offence,” Hyett said.

“I’m just going to single out probably Jazzy Smith, her work rate, and girls after half time just wanted to work so we were able to find little pockets of space to kick into and maintain control.”

Hyett was also really impressed with the performance of her leaders, namely Deanna Berry, Isabelle Pritchard and Elle Bennetts.

“The leaders have been great all year,” she said. “Dee in particular probably reset at halftime as well, but then Pritchie’s leading from the front as well and then Elle Bennetts is a pretty unsung leader amongst our group. She does a little things really well and is another coach out there.”

Another leader who drew praise from her coach was Jess Fitzgerald, who notched up her 50th game in the win.

“Watching her from afar before taking on this role you were impressed by her skill, and then getting to know her a little bit and then seeing her behind closed doors,” she said. “Her work, she just puts in so much work to her craft and also just a great person of influence off field as well. She’s one of the ones that is driving this group to be better,” Hyett said.