The Western Bulldogs began their season with a 9-point loss to second-year expansion club , playing in a prime time fixture slot on a Friday night. Inaccurate kicking saw them down 13 point at half time, despite having more scoring shots. After being down just tw points late in the final quarter, the Saints kicked the final goal of the match to win the game by 9 points. Although she was on the losing team, captain Ellie Blackburn secured the three Best and fairest votes for that game after kicking 2 goals and collecting 21 disposals. Isabel Huntington and Bonnie Toogood also kicked 2 goals apiece.
