Skipper Ellie Blackburn scored a pivotal goal inside the final two minutes as the Bulldogs came from behind to beat Carlton by three points at Princes Park.
abc.net.au/news/aflw-western-bulldogs-beat-carlton-to-secure-finals-spot/101592840The Western Bulldogs will play in the AFLW finals for the first time since 2018 after securing a nailbiting three-point victory over Carlton at Princes Park.
The Bulldogs, just one game clear of Gold Coast, so nearly had a nervous weekend wait after Carlton bravely battled hard despite having nothing to play for but pride, but finally wrapped up eighth spot with a 5.4 to 4.7 victory. Carlton came out firing early, leading by 14 points at quarter time after kicking three goals to one in slippery and wet conditions.
But the Bulldogs came back strong, holding the Blues scoreless in the second term to level things up at 20-points each at half time.But Bulldogs skipper Ellie Blackburn kicked the decisive goal with less than two minutes left to secure the win — the first time the Bulldogs were ahead in the entire contest.
It was a contest of wild momentum swings built on intense pressure with the Bulldogs' finals incentive and the Blues striving to finish the season with a respectable home performance.