The West Coast Eagles played their first match at Optus Stadium under lights on Saturday night but couldn't get the result to go their way in a loss to the Western Bulldogs.
It was again a defenders game for West Coast with the Bulldogs managing to enter their forward 50 on 37 occasions to the Eagles' 17 in the 10.8 (68) to 1.2 (8) result.
For the Eagles, rock-solid defenders Evie Gooch (22 disposals, four marks) and Belinda Smith (10 disposals, seven intercepts) worked tirelessly across the match.
Emerging Sophie McDonald (five intercepts) and debutant Beth Schilling (four) also did some good things in the backline, with a highlight an impressive grab by Schilling early in the second quarter, and a notable pack mark by McDonald in the same term, taken in the goal square.
Skipper Emma Swanson (21 disposals) was again at her best, while hardnosed midfielder Bella Lewis was also consistent in the centre to finish with 18 disposals and six tackles.
While the team did suffer a disappointing loss, they took the chance to farewell half-back Courtney Guard and celebrate debutant Schilling.
In the third quarter the team finally got some reward for effort, with a crafty kick from Hayley Bullas bouncing through for a goal, while Guard also had a defining moment with a terrific smother and follow-up kick as she played out the final home game of her career.
Irish speedster Niamh Kelly (nine disposals) also managed to find space across the match and had a few good runs down the line to finish the game with 264 metres gained.
The game has also allowed West Coast to continue blooding their younger players, with Charlie Thomas (nine disposals) and ruck Sarah Lakay continuing to look more comfortable with the pace and tempo at the highest level.
Further souring the defeat, star midfielder Dana Hooker left the field in the second quarter with what appeared to be a left shoulder problem and she did not return to the action.
The Eagles will now regroup and refresh across the week before flying to Victoria on Friday to take on North Melbourne in the final round of the season.
DETAILS
Brisbane 1.1 3.5 6.7 10.8 (68)
West Coast 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.2 (8)
GOALS
Bulldogs Lochland 3, Morris-Dalton, Toogood 2, Berry, Cranston, Lamb
West Coast Bullas
BEST
Bulldogs Lamb, Blackburn, Brown, Lynch, Lochland, Morris-Dalton
West Coast Swanson, Gooch, Laurie, Bullas, Smith, Lewis
INJURIES
Bulldogs Nil
West Coast Hooker (shoulder), Bullas (finger)
Brisbane Nil
