A second quarter Western Bulldogs onslaught proved the catalyst for a 57-point horror night and near historic low for Essendon to kick off Pride Round on Friday night.

A Daria Bannister goal with just seconds left in the game saw the Bombers avoid their worst ever score in the AFLW since joining in 2022.

But it was little consolation in an otherwise troublesome performance at Whitten Oval which saw the Bombers suffer their sixth-straight defeat.

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For the now 3-6 Dogs, it was pure elation, with the 10.7 (67) to 1.4 (10) victory their highest score of the season.

Alice Edmonds of the Western Bulldogs celebrates a goal. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia

While the Dogs had struggled with its forward mix at times this year, they had no such trouble against the Bombers, an early first quarter goal from first-year Bulldog Emma McDonald separating the two teams amid some blustery conditions.

But it was their second quarter where the Dogs truly lit the fuse, a Sarah Hartwig goal in the opening minute of the term starting a run of four goals within seven minutes against the breeze.

A rundown tackle from Elaine Grigg in front of goals late in the term saw the 19-year-old capitalise on a free for a fifth Dogs goal for the quarter to make it 35-points at half time.

A rundown tackle from Elaine Grigg in front of goals late in the term saw the 19-year-old capitalise on a free for a fifth Dogs goal for the quarter to make it 35-points at half time.

Western Bulldogs dropped their captain Deanna Berry heading into the game, with coach Tamara Hyett hoping for Berry to get a feel back for playing on instinct.

The move failed to disrupt a young Dogs side, which started brightly with its pressure and only grew in confidence with every goal scored.

Star midfielder Isabelle Pritchard was influential with 20 touches, seven tackles and six clearances, but it was the likes of Heidi Woodley and Jasmyn Smith early who got the Dogs’ outside game rolling.

While the Bombers tried to lean into its contested strength, with Madison Prespakis their best, the Dogs dominated on the outside, ran in numbers and made the most of its forward entries to continue to pile on scoreboard pressure in the second half.

Isabelle Pritchard of the Bulldogs is seen after an incident with Madison Prespakis. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Pritchard could come under some MRP scrutiny for a backward swing of an elbow which clipped Prespakis in the head, with the Bomber forced from the ground with blood streaming down her face midway through the fourth term, though she’d later return with her head bandaged tight.

“Pritchard might be in a bit of strife for that one,” Seven commentator Abbey Holmes said.

Dog’s debut worth wait

It was the feel-good story of the night, as defender Mua Laloifi made her long-awaited Dogs’ debut, 706 after her last game at Carlton following a return from an ACL injury sustained in a practice match.

“The way that she’s just gone through a rehab and been really diligent with that, has enabled her to play some games in the scrimmages, build some confidence, and then finally earn a spot out in the main squad tonight,” Dogs’ stand-in skipper Ellie Blackburn told Seven commentator Nat Edwards pre-match.

Jessica Fitzgerald of the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia

“Looking forward to having Mua out there. I know the crowd will love having her there and it’s good to see her back in Bulldogs colours.”

And it was a loud cheer from the crowd which welcomed Laloifi into the game at the eight minute mark, with Laloifi going on to play a solid game in defence, with the Dogs’ back six doing a strong job of stifling the Bombers’ forward structure.

— NCA NewsWire