AFLW exports | Toogood shines as Dogs keep finals hopes alive

By Zac Standish

Mar 8, 2022

Toogood for the Eagles: Mansfield product Bonnie Toogood booted two goals as Western Bulldogs romped to a 10-goal win. Picture: AAP Image/Michael Dodge. Photo by AAP

Mansfield’s Bonnie Toogood was back to her goal-kicking best on Saturday night, as her Western Bulldogs crushed West Coast by 60 points at Optus Stadium.

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In what was a must-win game for the Dogs’ finals chances, the visitors were on song from the first bounce, belting the Eagles from pillar to post in what was a true four-quarter annihilation.

Resuming her position as the Bulldogs’ spearhead, Toogood constantly gave her teammates an option inside the attacking 50, with her size and strength proving too much for the Eagles’ defence on a number of occasions.

Registering two goals, the Mansfield product took her season tally to nine in what has been a true breakout campaign for the 24-year-old.

Along with hitting the scoreboard, Toogood also got involved up the ground, picking up seven disposals and laying a tackle.

Kyabram’s Julia Crockett-Grills produced her best performance of the season as Geelong fell to St Kilda by nine points in a tight contest at Moorabbin.

Continuing her role as a pressure player inside the Cats’ attacking 50, Crocket-Grills was in everything picking up 15 disposals.

Her ability to push up the ground and get involved was a particular highlight of her game, as she added four tackles and two marks to what was as complete a performance as she has produced at AFLW level.

Benalla’s Becky Webster was slightly off her usual production, finishing with 11 disposals in what was a scrappy contest through the midfield.

Despite not finding as much of the ball, she did make her presence felt laying seven tackles to try and turn things around for her team.

Shepparton’s Grace Egan was at her hard-working best for Carlton, which enjoyed a clinical 30-point win over Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon.

Taking her customary position on the wing, Egan ran her opponent into the ground while picking up 16 disposals.

Constantly providing an option on the outside for her team, she also took three marks and laid four tackles in what was a standout performance.

While in the state league, Shepparton product Angela Foley made her much-anticipated return from an ACL injury, lining up for Sturt in its 52-point win over Norwood in the SANFLW.

Her first competitive match since sustaining the injury in the Crows’ grand final loss to Brisbane last year, Foley was the Double Blues’ best, picking up 24 disposals and kicking a goal as she eyes off a return to the AFLW in the coming weeks.