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Posted: 2024-09-12 22:34:31

West Coast moved to 2-1 in Daisy Pearce's first season as coach after coming from behind to defeat the struggling Western Bulldogs by 11 points on Thursday night.

After scoring just one goal across their first two games, the Bulldogs kicked the first two of the clash at the Whitten Oval to jump the Eagles.

But West Coast steadied to kick the next four goals and set up the 5.2 (32) to 3.3 (21) victory.

After failing to score a goal during the second and third quarters, the Bulldogs received a boost when star Ellie Blackburn reduced the margin to four points early in the final term.

Blackburn had another shot minutes later, but her long-range effort dropped short, with debutant Octavia Di Donato then snapping the sealer for West Coast with four minutes left.

Blackburn hobbled off the field in the dying seconds after hurting her foot.

Bulldogs coach Tam Hyett said they were unsure on the severity of Blackburn's injury, but the three-time All-Australian would have scans on Friday.

"We're not 100 per cent sure on what it is," Hyett said.

The Eagles have claimed two wooden spoons in their short AFLW history, and finished 16th and 17th respectively during the past two seasons, but they could be on the rise after appointing arguably the biggest name in women's footy as coach.

West Coast stunned Richmond with a win in the opening round, before losing to last season's finalists Essendon last weekend.

Eagles young gun Ella Roberts set the game alight with a dominant third quarter that included a long-range goal on the run.

The 19-year-old finished with 25 possessions to demonstrate why she could be one of the future stars of AFLW.

Former Gold Coast midfielder Alison Drennan showed why she was such a valuable recruit for the Eagles in the off-season, having 25 possessions and eight clearances, laying 11 tackles and kicking a goal.

This match was the first of a condensed period for the AFLW when clubs will have shorter breaks than normal to take part in mid-week games.

The Bulldogs have prepared for the tough schedule, opting to rest young gun Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner against the Eagles even though the number one draft pick has only played two games.

AAP

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