AFLW round seven: Saturday, March 17, Western Bulldogs v Melbourne, VU Whitten Oval, 7.10pm
First quarter: Melbourne 1.1 (7) to Western Bulldogs 0.0 (0)
In a low-scoring first term, Melbourne led by seven points at quarter-time, as the Bulldogs failed to register a score.
Melbourne controlled the play early on – it had eight inside 50s to nil – before it converted its opening goal via 'Rocky' Cranston.
Cranston’s kick was a beautiful set-shot, aided by the strong breeze.
Midway through the quarter, the Demons suffered a setback, however, when Sarah Lampard appeared to injure to knee.
It was a terrible blow for Lampard, who was playing her first match of the season, after a hamstring injury forced her to miss the opening six rounds.
Second quarter: Western Bulldogs 3.2 (20) to Melbourne 2.1 (13)
Although the Dogs didn’t trouble the scoreboard in the opening term, they hit back in the second quarter, booting 3.2 by the 12-minute mark, before the Demons could answer.
Emma Kerney posted the Dogs’ first, before Katie Brennan and former Demon Deanna Berry made it three in a row for the red, white and blue.
The home side took advantage of the strong wind to lead by 13 points, before Melbourne secured its only major of the second term – a fine goal by Karen Paxman.
She finished off the work further up the field, started by Aliesha Newman, who chipped a crisp pass to Eden Zanker, who in turn went long to Paxman.
Melbourne’s only major for the term reduced the margin to seven points at half-time.
Third quarter: Melbourne 3.7 (25) to Western Bulldogs 3.2 (20)
Kicking to the scoreboard end, Melbourne had the breeze in the third term, but wasted several opportunities in front of goal.
The Demons produced seven scoring shots, but managed 1.6, edging ahead by five points entering the final stanza.
Katherine Smith, who laid several outstanding tackles during the quarter, was the only player to snag a goal in the third term.
Later on, Aliesha Newman had the opportunity to kick truly, after a brilliant run and three bounces, but booted a behind.
Although the Bulldogs failed to score in the third term, they entered the final term, kicking with the wind.
Final quarter: Western Bulldogs 5.3 (33) d Melbourne 4.7 (31)
With a place in this year’s AFLW Grand Final on the line, the last term was always going to be a nail-biter.
The Bulldogs landed the first blow, courtesy of Monique Conti, which put the Dogs back in front by two points.
But when Kate Hore kicked a pressure goal at the 10-minute mark, the Demons were back in front and it was almost like 1987 again!
But the jubilation of Melbourne’s famous victory over the Bulldogs in the final round of the '87 season at the same ground – to end a 23-year finals absence – turned into a shattering disappointment, when Brooke Lochland kicked the match-winner for the Dogs.
She put the Bulldogs up by two points at the 15-minute mark, which was the final margin.
