THE WESTERN Bulldogs have sprung the shock of the NAB AFL Women's season, hanging on for an extraordinary one-point win over previously unbeaten Adelaide at Norwood Oval on Sunday.

The Bulldogs led by 15 points at the final change and had to withstand a frenzied final term from the Crows to win their second game of the season, 8.1 (49) to 7.6 (48).

Adelaide superstar Erin Phillips had a chance at glory with one minute remaining, but her set shot from 35m sailed to left and did not make the distance. 

What ensued over the final 60 seconds was remarkable, with all 32 players within 30m of Adelaide's goal, but the desperate Dogs prevented any score with repeat stoppage after repeat stoppage. 

The triumph was even more meritorious considering they were down two players after quarter-time following the early exits of Aurora Smith (knee) and Brooke Lochland (concussion). 

The Bulldogs built up a 24-point lead in the first half, and despite some shaky moments, deserved their success with their swift ball movement and resolute defence. 

CROWS v BULLDOGS Full match coverage and stats

Ellie Blackburn was magnificent, gathering 23 disposals and kicking a wonderful first-term goal, but the skipper had plenty of help.

Kirsty Lamb and Isabelle Pritchard were fantastic in the middle of the ground, Bonnie Toogood was a handful all day in the forward line, and Naomi Ferres was composed in congestion.

Toogood got the Dogs off to the perfect start, kicking a goal inside 60 seconds, assisting another for Nell Morris-Dalton moments later, and when Rochelle Cranston kicked a third inside five minutes, the visitors were away. 

Adelaide was best served by its star-studded midfield, with Ebony Marinoff and Anne Hatchard gathering plenty of ball, and Phillips having a big fourth quarter after a quiet start. 

One minute of madness
In scenes rarely seen – if ever - over the AFLW's short history, the final minute was a sight to behold, with every player from both teams squeezed into a 30m radius as Adelaide desperately sought a goal to win or point to draw. With repeated stoppages at the top of the goalsquare, the Bulldogs were desperate, with one Kirsty Lamb smother of a kick towards goal typifying her team's effort.

Debut heartbreak
What should have been one of the highlights of her footballing life turned into nightmare for Bulldogs' teenager Aurora Smith. Less than three minutes into her debut game, the 18-year-old came from the ground with a right knee injury. The sight of her hobbling around on crutches at the first change was heartbreaking. Coach Nathan Burke said post-match it "doesn't look positive".

Where the game was won
Although Adelaide had its chances late in the match, it will rue the first five minutes of the game. The Bulldogs kicked two goals from the first two centre clearances, and when Richelle Cranston kicked a third a couple of minutes later, they had a lead that kept them at arm's length and was never overhauled.

Say what?
"I haven't been a part of a win that's been as special as that one. They were amazing today, amazing. They not only gutsed it out but played some really really good footy. They were absolutely cooked, and I just kept asking them to give more and more and they did." – Western Bulldogs coach Nathan Burke

"We got a pretty sharp lesson in the first five minutes of the game. The Bulldogs played at a really high level. I thought their intensity and sharpness in the first five was superior to ours. Their system and method and ability to cover defensively and then when they went long, we didn't handle that well either, so well done to them. We learned some lessons today." – Adelaide coach Matthew Clarke 

What's next?
The Bulldogs have a five-day break but will be hopeful of making it back-to-back wins when they host Geelong at Victoria University Whitten Oval on Friday night from 7.10pm AEDT. Adelaide is on the road to face Greater Western Sydney at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday with the game starting at 3.10pm (AEDT).

ADELAIDE                       2.0     3.2     4.4     7.6     (48)
WESTERN BULLDOGS     4.1     6.1     7.1     8.1     (49) 

GOALS
Adelaide: Whiteley 2, Woodland 2, Gould, Munyard, Thompson
Western Bulldogs: Toogood 2, Blackburn, Cranston, Gutknecht, Lamb, Moody, Morris-Dalton

BEST 
Adelaide: Marinoff, Hatchard, Charlton, S.Allan, Phillips
Western Bulldogs: Blackburn, Lamb, Toogood, Ferres, Lynch, Pritchard

INJURIES 
Adelaide: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Smith (knee), Lochland (concussion) 

Reports: Nil

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