THE WESTERN Bulldogs have laid their claim for a top-four spot with a comprehensive 43-point demolition of an inaccurate Essendon.

In front of a bumper crowd of 4327 at Mission Whitten Oval, kicking off the two-week Pride Round celebration, the Dogs were far too strong in the stoppages in the 10.5 (65) to 2.10 (22) victory, and have snuck into the four at this early stage of the weekend.

BULLDOGS v BOMBERS Full match coverage and stats

Emma McDonald spent time off the field receiving treatment for an elbow injury (but played out the game), and in her absence, Sarah Hartwig stood up with four goals, taking her season's tally to a career-best 12.

The Bombers continued last week's second half onslaught with the first goal of the game, Maddy Prespakis hammering the attacking 50 until she found Emily Gough in the square.

Essendon's pressure was excellent early, across effectively every square metre of the ground, denying the Dogs the opportunity to rack up uncontested marks. 

But the two first-quarter goals conceded came from the one place pressure was missed – the goalsquare – and it set the tone for the remainder of the match.

Recruit Mikala Cann (21 disposals, seven tackles) was more than handy, with deft ball use and sharp handballs setting her teammates up on the outside, while Izzy Pritchard – despite the attention of Maddi Gay – racked up 18 disposals and six clearances in the first half alone as the Dogs raced out to a 28-point lead, finishing with 30 and 10.

Sophie Alexander provided a rare Essendon highlight, saluting for her team's second goal – coming in the last few seconds of the third term after eight straight behinds – with a sharp, curling set shot from deep in the pocket.

Alice Edmonds well and truly had the better of the ruck battle against Steph Wales (28 hitouts to 13), while Jess Fitzgerald (22 touches and a goal) and Cleo Buttifant (19 and six clearances) provided some grunt around the stoppages.

It was a lean "bests" list for the Bombers: Prespakis (32 and five clearances) ran hard across four quarters, skipper Bonnie Toogood (19 and six marks) covered some serious kilometres as she attempted to give her side a marking target, and Steph Cain was plucky throughout.

Defensive lapses cost Dons dearly
The Bombers are badly missing injured recruit Zoe Prowse, with at least six goals conceded from either within 25m, directly in front, or from the goalsquare itself. Essendon's inability to hold ground and force the Bulldogs to take pot-shots from the boundary – as the Dogs themselves did to the Dons, contributing to the 10 behinds – meant the score ticked up with far too much ease.

Twin factor
Identical twins Mizuki (No.22, Bulldogs) and Nalu Brothwell (No.11, Essendon) faced off against each other for the first time in their lives, having always played on the same team in both juniors and netball. But after spending all season in attack, Essendon's Nalu was sent to defence, robbing fans of an all-Brothwell battle. The two patrolled their respective half-back lines, and even had five touches and one clearance each at quarter-time. The pair arguably had their best games for their career, Mizuki finishing with 17 touches, and Nalu with 13. 

Up next
The Western Bulldogs have a tougher task next week, up against Carlton at Ikon Park in a throwback to the first AFLW Pride Game in 2018. Essendon has the toughest task of all, hosting North Melbourne in a Windy Hill Pride double-header.

WESTERN BULLDOGS    2.1   6.3   7.4   10.5 (65)
ESSENDON    1.4   1.5   2.9   2.10 (22)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Hartwig 4, McDonald 2, Woodley 2, Cann, Fitzgerald
Essendon: Gough, Alexander

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Pritchard, Cann, Fitzgerald, Hartwig, Buttifant, Edmonds
Essendon: Prespakis, Toogood, Cain, Gay

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: McDonald (elbow)
Essendon: Nil

Crowd: 4,327 at Mission Whitten Oval