A 29-POINT win over the Western Bulldogs has given the Blues a back-to-back win as the season end is near.

A dominant performance from the team saw the Blues get a big win over the Dogs, who they defeated for the second time this season.

With only one round to go, the Blues desperately needed to win to keep their finals hope alive, currently sitting in 8th position on the rebel VFLW ladder.

Chilly morning conditions met the Blues in Footscray, but not much could faze them, kicking an impressive seven goals for the game.

Skipper Christina Bernardi made sure the opposition knew she was back in the side, attributing four majors to her name.

Quarter one

Maddie Di Cosmo got the game underway with a clearance in the middle, followed by a kick inside 50. A fumble picked up by the Dogs gave Joyce Dunn the chance for a big tackle. The Bulldogs maintained possession for the first five minutes of the term before converting with a goal, but Christina Bernardi in the next play was rewarded with a free kick for a high tackle, which gave the Blues their first. Strong intercept marking down back from Kasey Lennox got the ball moving quickly from each end, and the Blues capitalised when the ball was inside 50. A fend-off from Bernardi rewarded her with her second goal within minutes. Isabelle Kourey joined Bernardi on the goal-kicking list as the quarter came to an end.

Quarter two

A very promising first term from the Blues gave them the lead, and there was no sign of slowing down from Bernardi as she kicked her third goal three minutes into the second term. Ashlee Thorneycroft was racking up the disposals, while Chloe Bain made sure her hit-outs were to advantage. Amelia Klingbeil set up well behind the contest to pick up the loose footy, while Emily Hurley put pressure on Bulldogs players with some big tackles. The siren for half time sounded with the Blues keeping the Dogs scoreless for the quarter.

Quarter three

The Western Bulldogs made some moves early on in a desperate bid to hit the scoreboard, but Carlton made sure the footy never crossed the goal line. Octavia Di Donto controlled the ball well in the wind, as plenty of play ended up out of bounds. The Blues turned up their speed and made sure they were first to the footy as play moved up and down the ground. Dominating the inside 50 count for the match so far, the Blues made sure the ball was in their hands. Bernardi kicked her fourth with five minutes left in the term and the Dogs were again scoreless. A free kick gave Eliza Wood a goal to her name as the siren rang for the term.

Quarter four

Carlton were leading by 30 points, their biggest margin for the game, and the tackle count was also in their favour. Thomay Nicolou helped around stoppages, trying to pull the footy into space. The Bulldogs amped up their intensity, seeing plenty of inside 50 opportunities. There was no score from either side until around the halfway mark of the quarter with a behind and a goal to the Dogs. The Blues responded in the coming minutes with VFLW debutante Ava Jordan hitting the scoreboard for her first goal in the competition. The Blues' first behind from Eliza Wood was the last score of the day, with the Blues winning by 29 points.

FINAL SCORE

BULLDOGS 2. 2. 14

CARLTON 7. 1. 43

Photo credit: Rob Lawson Photography