The 38-37 victory came after the Bulldogs led by nine goals at half-time and increased that lead midway through the third before an Avenel comeback.
Avenel outscored Merrigum 24-16 in the second half, but that was not enough to make up the difference of the first half.
When the siren sounded coach Maddy Wilson had done enough with her nine-member squad to ensure the result was in the Bulldogs’ keeping.
The Bulldogs sit 11th on the ladder with three wins from nine games, but have the opportunity to improve with games against Undera (12th), Tallygaroopna (10th) and Stanhope (seventh) in the next three weeks,
Wilson worked with Renee Doyle, Tahlia Murray and centre star Gabbey Beveridge in the midcourt to provide goalers Georgia Wilson and Latia Doherty with plenty of early scoring opportunities.
Doherty was the dominant goaler, finishing with 25 goals for the game.
Wilson shot the other 13 goals as the bookends of the team remained unchanged for the four quarters.
Breanna Baker and Emma Pummeroy spent the entire game in the defensive half circle, while Jade Christou was their support mechanism at wing defence.
Having beaten now eighth-ranked Avenel and with Stanhope in their sights, wins in the next two weeks for the Bulldogs can take them to within striking distance of the top six.
See the Free Press for full details of this weekend’s round before the July 6 general bye.
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