AFLW 2024: West Coast Eagles consign Western Bulldogs to third-straight loss as Ella Roberts sparkles

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AFLW 2024: West Coast Eagles consign Western Bulldogs to third-straight loss as Ella Roberts sparkles

West Coast have held off an attempted Western Bulldogs comeback as they made it two wins from three under Daisy Pearce, claiming an 11-point victory with young **** Ella Roberts playing a starring role.

A late, sealing goal by debutant Octavia Di Donato was the icing on the cake of an impressive victory, with the Eagles overcoming the Bulldogs 5.2 (32) to 3.3 (21) at Whitten Oval.

The victory means West Coast have already matched their win total from 2023, and it was Roberts who burst to life to help carry her side to four points with 25 disposals, six tackles, six inside 50s, four clearances, 311m gained and a crucial goal.

She was ably supported by Alison Drennan, who also chipped in with a goal and tied Roberts for disposals, while also tallying eight clearances and 11 tackles, while Bulldogs star Ellie Blackburn almost led a late comeback before suffering an ankle injury in the shadows of full-time.

Pressure was the name of the game early, with both sides recording five tackles inside 50 in the first term – notable given the Eagles’ season average was eight heading in.

Elaine Grigg left her mark on both proceedings and West Coast defender Jessica Rentsch as her physical effort set the tone early and teed up Brianne McFarlane for a goal after Isabella Pritchard had struck early.

For a team who had only scored one goal coming into this game, the Bulldogs would have been ecstatic with their fast start.

But the Eagles have proved early this season they are no pushovers, and after Mikayla Western’s third goal of the season reduced the margin heading into quarter-time, they started to control the game in the second term.

Camera IconElla Roberts of the Eagles runs with the ball. Credit: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Alison Drennan and Emma Swanson started to see more of the ball off half-back, while Ella Roberts began to influence proceedings, and goals to Bella Lewis and Drennan gave West Coast a five-point advantage at the break.

The hosts put the shackles on the Eagles in the third term, restricting their space, slowing the pace of the game and had their opportunities to take the lead.

But with the game bogged down, Roberts rose above the grind to produce a moment of sheer class, curling around the back off a stoppage, resembling a sprinter as she exploded off the bend and into the home straight before nailing a goal on the run from just inside 50.

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconIsabella Lewis of the Eagles celebrates a goal. Credit: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

It looked as if the Eagles would cruise to a win, but Blackburn’s goal mid-way through the term brought the Bulldogs within four points, and suddenly, a sea of blue, red and white jerseys confronted West Coast at every turn.

Roberts sent a scare through the Eagles camp when she sported a noticeable limp after marking inside 50, but after she unselfishly found a teammate inboard, and the ensuing kick for goal ended in Di Donato kicking truly to see the Eagles home.

SCOREBOARD

WEST COAST EAGLES 1.1 3.1 4.1 5.2 (32)

WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.1 2.2 2.3 3.3 (21)

Goals – WEST COAST: M Western I Lewis A Drennan E Roberts O Di Donato.

WESTERN BULLDOGS: I Pritchard B McFarlane E Blackburn.

Best – WESTERN BULLDOGS: E Blackburn I Pritchard D Carruthers J Fitzgerald.

WEST COAST: E Roberts A Drennan I Lewis J Britton E Swanson.

Injuries – WEST COAST: None. WESTERN BULLDOGS: Blackburn (ankle).

Reports –WEST COAST: None. WESTERN BULLDOGS: None.

Crowd: TBC at Whitten Oval.

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