Fit-again star Gabby Newton has produced the goods in the clutch moment to help lift the Western Bulldogs to a thrilling three-point AFLW win over Fremantle at Ikon Park.
The Dockers managed just a single behind in last week’s 26-point loss to Geelong, but they were full of fight on Friday night as they threatened to pull off a huge upset.
Fremantle led by four points with less than nine minutes remaining in the match, but Newton pulled off a big contested mark near the top of the goalsquare to give her side the lead.
Kirsty Lamb (23 disposals, six marks) and Ellie Blackburn (19 disposals, eight tackles) dug deep to ensure Fremantle couldn’t hit back, with the Bulldogs winning 3.5 (23) to 3.2 (20).
The result lifted the Bulldogs (3-0) to the top of the ladder, while Fremantle (0-3) are second last and with their finals hopes fading fast.
Newton, a former No.1 draft pick, missed all of last season after undergoing a dual shoulder reconstruction.
The 21-year-old midfielder has been stationed up forward this season to ease her back in, and she stood tall against the Dockers with a series of important marks.
Her last-quarter goal helped save the blushes of Bulldogs teenager Rylie Wilcox, who cost Blackburn a goal early in the final quarter when she attempted to mark the ball as it was going through.
Fremantle midfielders Hayley Miller (16 disposals, seven tackles) and Kiara Bowers (17 possessions, nine tackles) battled hard all day, while Emma O’Driscoll provided important rebound from defence.
It took Fremantle just 10 seconds to equal their entire score from last week when forward Amy Franklin sent a shot flying into the post.
A snapped goal to Aine Tighe just before quarter time gave the Dockers a one-point lead at quarter time, and the margin extended to eight points when Dana East nailed a goal on the run early in the second term.
Wilcox produced her own piece of magic a short time later to pull the margin back to two points when she trapped the bouncing ball before kicking truly on the run.
Fremantle forward Megan Kauffman kicked the only goal of the third quarter courtesy of her run-down tackle on Katie Lynch.
But Fremantle’s slender lead wasn’t enough, with Newton standing tall in attack when her team needed her most to help snatch victory.
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rommel
Roar Rookie
What a disgrace that the AFLW can’t even give our Queen a minutes silence? All their miserable excuses don’t wash. Who objected? They won’t say. All to appease these hate filled aboriginal activists. After almost 70 years of selfless service you’d think the AFL could give her one lousy minute. Heads should roll over this, starting with Gill.