THE WESTERN Bulldogs have started 2026 on a winning, if wet, note, downing Gold Coast 6.4 (40) to 1.8 (14) on Saturday night.
Rain fell heavily throughout the second half at People First Stadium, making it tough for the young SUNS line-up to close a four-goal deficit at half-time, with some wayward finishing not helping their cause.
Most of the damage was done in the first quarter as Gold Coast's 10 debutants got their first taste of football at the highest level, finding themselves trailing by 25 points at the first break.
The rain started tumbling not long after play recommenced, seeing just three more goals kicked in any direction for the rest of the night.
While only one of those goals belonged to the SUNS, they fought their way back into the contest and enjoyed patches of dominance that may have turned serious momentum their way in better weather conditions.
Jess Fitzgerald led the way for the Bulldogs with 29 disposals, four clearances and 433 metres gained, while Sarah Hartwig gave her teammates a focal point and finished with a career-high three goals.
Havana Harris was a force for the SUNS up forward with a game-high seven marks in conditions that made it hard to pick the ball up, let alone catch it.
However, she could only manage one goal.
Charlie Rowbottom was busy with 25 disposals and four clearances, while Lucy Single racked up 20 possessions and eight tackles.
Ava Usher (16 disposals) and Sunny Lappin (14) were the best of the first-gamers, with Usher in particular looking like a ready-made top-level player.
Up next
The Western Bulldogs head hope to Mission Whitten Oval to face fellow first-round winners Richmond on Saturday afternoon. Gold Coast will head across the country to take on West Coast at Mineral Resources Park, also on Saturday afternoon.
Young Suns
With 10 debutants in the Gold Coast side there was always going to be a lot needed from the young brigade, and they didn't disappoint. No.7 draft selection Ava Usher had one touch in the first quarter but got better as the game went on to be the pick of the bunch, finishing with 16 disposals and three behinds that could have swung things in a different direction on a dry night. Sunny Lappin was also strong with 14 touches, while the other eight will be better for the tough initiation.
A video review oversight
With goal-checking technology being introduced into the AFLW for the first time, it seemed strange it wasn't called upon early in the last quarter as Havana Harris swung a boot at the ball on the goalline. Replays seemed to show the footy making contact with the bottom of Harris' boot before it had fully crossed the line, but the goal umpire called a behind and play was allowed to resume with an immediate kick in.
GOLD COAST 0.0 1.3 1.6 1.8 (14)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.1 5.3 6.4 6.4 (40)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Harris
Western Bulldogs: Hartwig 3, Woodley, Smith, Pritchard
BEST
Gold Coast: Harris, Rowbottom, Single, Usher
Western Bulldogs: Fitzgerald, Hartwig, Blackburn, Wilcox
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Reports: Nil
Crowd: TBC at People First Stadium
