The Western Bulldogs have continued their winning streak to remain ladder-leaders, beating Collingwood by nine points on Sunday afternoon in Moe.
A battle between first and last place, a Magpie win would have meant only one game would separate the two sides, despite being at opposite ends of the ladder.
But the Bulldogs were not going to let that happen and came out strong from the get-go.
Bonnie Toogood was first to add a major to the scoreboard with a kick off the ground, yet the Pies quick to respond with Meg Hutchins kicking one of her own.
From the onset both teams were fierce and aggressive, and tempers flared in the humid conditions.
Collingwood skipper Steph Chiocci was reported following a high knock on Libby Birch in the first term, which was met with hostility from the angered Dogs.
Birch later returned to the field, but was also reported for striking Moana Hope later in the match.
The rest of the first term saw Western Bulldogs take control however, as they kicked two goals and some peppered behinds to take a 16-point lead into quarter-time.
In the second quarter the Pies seemed more threatening, keeping their defence much tighter and only allowing one Brooke Lochland goal to slip through after a dropped mark in the goal square.
Things heated up when Magpie Britt Bonnici slung Emma Kearney over the boundary and into the Fox Footy crew, resulting in a fiery scuffle and 50m penalty in favour of the Bulldogs.
With both teams’ blood boiling, the margin seemed to be much closer than two goals at the major change.
Level heads ultimately prevailed in the third quarter, which saw the Bulldogs extend their lead further, with Collingwood struggling to get their hands on the footy to make an impact.
Heading into the final 15 minutes with a 17-point lead, the Bulldogs continued their dominance despite the Magpies putting up one last fight in the dying minutes.
Bulldogs veteran defender Nicole Callinan kicked the first of the last term, but the Pies were quick to respond through Chloe Molloy who added one of her own.
The ball remained in Collingwood’s forward 50 for most of the quarter, as they managed to bring the margin back down to nine points.
But a late smother from acting captain Ellie Blackburn in the final 30 seconds put a stop on any Collingwood resurgence.
All eyes were on Bulldogs’ rising stars Monique Conti and Ash Utri, who continue to shine after their impressive debut season.
Despite not making an impact on the scoreboard, Conti still made her presence felt by going hard at the footy - even with fellow national basketballer Chloe Molloy following her every move.
The Bulldogs become the only team to notch up four wins this AFLW season, even without their captain Katie Brennan and number one draft pick Isabel Huntington.
Now a game clear of the remaining seven sides, the Bulldogs face a tough challenge against the Giants to solidify their maiden Grand Final appearance.
Meanwhile, the Magpies will hope to sour Brisbane’s chances of a premiership redemption when they clash on Saturday afternoon.
COLLINGWOOD 1.0 3.0 4.2 6.5 (41) WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.4 4.6 6.7 7.7 (49)
GOALS Collingwood: Edwards 2, Hutchins, Barden, Molloy, Bernardi Western Bulldogs: Lochland 2, Toogood, Utri, O'Connor, Blackburn, Callinan
BEST
Collingwood: Garner, Edwards, McIntosh
Western Bulldogs: Blackburn, Conti, Kearney
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