FOR the second week running the Western Bulldogs were involved in a one-point VFLW thriller – but this time they finished on the wrong side of it, with Port Melbourne surviving a two-goal final-term surge to escape with a 6.6 (42) to 6.5 (41) victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Western Bulldogs 6.5 (41) def. by Port Melbourne 6.6 (42)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It was a match of distinct momentum swings, and the Bulldogs simply ran out of time on the last one. The Borough struck first with 2.2 to 1.0 in the opening term before the Dogs answered with three goals of their own in the second to lead by six at the main break. Port then produced the passage that ultimately won it, piling on 3.3 to nothing in a third quarter that opened a 15-point buffer at the final change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Dogs came again. Two unanswered goals in the last, against a solitary Port behind, brought them to within a kick – but the siren arrived first and the Borough held on by the barest margin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The result matters at both ends of the top six. Port Melbourne moves to 8-3 and consolidates fifth, level on 32 points with fourth-placed Carlton and now four clear of the Bulldogs. The Dogs slip to 7-4 but retain the last finals berth in sixth, eight points ahead of Geelong – though a percentage of 91.1, the only figure under 100 in the top six, leaves little margin for error if the Cats find any late form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If Round 12 was a smash-and-grab, this was its exact inverse. A week after winning just one statistical category and stealing the four points, the Bulldogs won almost everything and lost. They had 17 more disposals, 12 more marks, five more inside 50s and laid 17 more tackles. The one column they surrendered was the one that mattered most: clearances, 37 to 28. Despite being smashed in the hitouts 45-22, Port’s midfield consistently won the ball at ground level, and that first use went a long way to explaining a scoreboard the rest of the numbers could not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mia Caffry<\/a> was the standout, racking up 21 disposals with a team-high 13 contested possessions, 10 tackles, seven clearances and four rebound 50s in a tireless two-way display. Courtney Jones<\/a> was equally damaging with 19 disposals, three marks, five tackles, four clearances, a team-high five inside 50s and a goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Georgia Foran<\/a> may have been the difference. The rebounding half-back finished with 18 disposals, six marks and six rebound 50s while also pushing forward for 2.1 – the sort of dual-end impact that wins tight games. Charlie Anderson<\/a> (17 disposals, three marks, four tackles, two clearances and four rebound 50s) and Eloise Ashley-Cooper<\/a> (16 disposals, five tackles, five clearances, four inside 50s and three rebound 50s) were also prominent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emear Scally<\/a> was ferocious at the coalface with 11 of her 14 disposals contested and five clearances, while Alex McBride-Loane<\/a> was the game’s most efficient player – six clearances, eight contested possessions and two goals from just 10 touches, plus four hitouts as a relief ruck. Hannah Foran<\/a> shouldered the ruck load against a dominant opponent, still managing 18 hitouts, 12 disposals and nine tackles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maggie McKellar<\/a> (13 disposals, two marks and two rebound 50s), Lauren Caruso<\/a> (12 disposals, eight tackles and four clearances), Lily Hart<\/a> (11 disposals) and Nicola Davidson<\/a> (nine disposals, eight tackles) all played their part, as did Keely Fullerton<\/a> with four inside 50s. Kaitlyn O’Keefe<\/a> chipped in with a goal from seven disposals and four tackles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Analea McKee<\/a> was enormous for the Bulldogs in a genuine ruck-rover hybrid role, finishing with 30 disposals – 18 contested – four marks, seven tackles, 29 hitouts, seven clearances, four inside 50s and two rebound 50s. Ellie Bishop<\/a> was similarly influential with 20 disposals – 12 contested – six tackles, six clearances, three inside 50s, two rebound 50s and a goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scarlett O’Donnell<\/a> (16 disposals, three marks, four tackles, four inside 50s and three rebound 50s) and Mizuki Brothwell<\/a> (16 disposals, four marks, four tackles and three rebound 50s) linked play well, while Steph Asciak<\/a> (15 disposals, three marks, three tackles and four inside 50s) was clean on the outside. Ellie Gavalas<\/a> contributed 1.1 from 15 disposals, seven tackles and two clearances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jemima Wrigley<\/a> (14 disposals, nine tackles, two clearances and two rebound 50s) and Kiera Leare<\/a> (11 disposals, nine tackles and two rebound 50s) again led the pressure, as did Rain Dodd<\/a> with eight tackles from eight touches. Jaimi Tabb<\/a> worked hard at the contest for 13 disposals, nine contested, four tackles and three clearances, while Louise Stephenson<\/a> supported McKee in the ruck with 16 hitouts, nine disposals, eight contested possessions and three clearances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n North Melbourne Werribee bounced back from its first loss of the season last weekend to defeat Sandringham Zebras by 38 points. The Roos shrugged off an early challenge to kick six unanswered goals in the third term to set up the 12.7 79) to 6.5 (41) victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ava Seton<\/a> (22 disposals, eight tackles, four clearances and six inside 50s) was the top ball-winner for the Roos, while Alana Barba<\/a> (21 disposals, three tackles, seven clearances and a goal) and Poppy Schaap<\/a> (19 disposals, six marks and three clearances were prolific. Nyakoat Dojiok<\/a> booted two goals from 14 disposals and five marks, while Emily Hurley<\/a> (three goals) and Stella Reid<\/a> (two) were lively in front of the big sticks. Charlotte Taylor<\/a> (17 disposals, seven tackles and six clearances) and Indi Sherritt<\/a> (14 disposals, eight tackles, four clearances and four inside 50s) both stood up, while Zoe Barbakos<\/a> slotted four goals from 12 touches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carlton survived a third term comeback from Tasmania Devils to post a 15-point win at North Hobart Oval. The Blues kept the Devils to just one goal in the first half, but after a four goals to two third term the lead was trimmed to just six points. Fortunately for the visitors, they kicked three goals to two in the last term to win, 9.7 (61) to 7.4 (46).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hannah Scott<\/a>‘s productive season continued with a game-high 28 disposals, 13 tackles and 12 clearances, while Octavia Di Donato<\/a> (24 disposals, eight tackles and six inside 50s) and Zoe Larkins<\/a> (20 disposals, seven tackles, six clearances, six inside 50s and two goals) were amongst the best once again. Former Under 18s Devil Harriet Bingley<\/a> slotted two goals for the Blues. For the Devils, Sarah Skinner<\/a> and Gabbi Featherston<\/a> were busy in transition, while Grace White<\/a> and Ellie Hall<\/a> provided aerial strength up respective ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Williamstown proved too good for Essendon, storming to a 65-point win at DSV Stadium. The Seagulls continued their fantastic season form at the top of the ladder, booting seven first half goals and keeping the Dons to just two behinds after quarter time in the 11.7 (73) to 1.2 (8) romp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ellen Williams<\/a> found hte most touches on the ground with 26, while also taking four marks and having six inside 50s. Naomi Ferres<\/a> (18 disposals, seven clearances, five tackles and a goal), Megan Williamson<\/a> (16 disposals, four marks, six tackles, four clearances, four inside 50s and a goal) and Emily Eaves<\/a> (14 disposals, six clearances, three inside 50s and a goal) were all industrious and hit the scoreboard, as forward Mia Zielinski<\/a> slotted four goals. El Chaston<\/a> was a shining light for the losers, taking 10 marks from 20 touches and finishing with six rebound 50s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Box Hill Hawks kicked five goals to one in the opening half to set up a much-needed 19-point win over Darebin Falcons. The Hawks lead 5.3 (33) to 1.2 (8) at the main break, and while it was a tough slog through the second half, Box Hill held on to salue, 6.6 (42) to 3.5 (23) at Preston City Oval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ex-Eagle Kayley Kavanagh<\/a> was enormous with 25 disposals – 18 contested – 11 tackles and five clearances, while Hannah Stewart<\/a> (20 disposals, seven tackles, six clearances and six inside 50s) and Tess Cattle<\/a> (18 disposals, three tackles, seven clearances and a goal) were all strong in midfield. Ella Stoddart<\/a> stood up in defence. For the Falcons, Caitlin Bunker<\/a> (23 disposals, eight tackles, five clearances and five inside 50s) again lead from the front, while Kasey Lennox<\/a> was strong in defence with 15 disposals, seven marks and six rebound 50s, and Shannon Egan<\/a> had 44 hitouts in a dominant ruck performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nAROUND THE GROUNDS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n