AFLW premiers Western Bulldogs too slick for newcomers Geelong
Beware of the Dog. There almost needs to be a sign on the gate at Whitten Oval as the AFLW reigning premier devoured the Cats to remain unbeaten.
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Beware of the Dog.
There almost needs to be a sign on the gate at Whitten Oval, as the Cats found out the hard way on Saturday night with an 18-point loss at the hands of the reigning premier.
Geelong was jumped by the Western Bulldogs, who delivered Geelong its first defeat in AFLW to remain undefeated from two games.
“I’m stoked for the girls, we didn’t play as well as we wanted to last week against Adelaide,” gun Dog Kirsty Lamb said on Channel 7.
“It’s good to play a bit of our footy.
“In patches we will look at this game knowing we had a lot to work with. I was pleased with the girls that we were able to hit up our targets and move the footy the way we wanted to.”
DEBUT DELIGHTS
“Anything you can do, I can do better” seemed to be the mantra among the debutants, with Cat Georgia Clark and the Dogs’ Irish recruit Aisling McCarthy sharing the spoils within minutes of each other, both notching a goal in the third quarter.
McCarthy, who hails from Tipperary — having made her mark on Gaelic football and being lured to AFLW via Instagram — showed plenty of the X-factor that coach Paul Groves had anticipated.
DOGS RELIVE THEIR DAY
In a nod to the future, the Bulldogs looked to the daughters of club great Chris Grant and former administrator Simon Garlick to officially accept the premiership flag from league boss Gillon McLachlan.
In their first home game for the year, the reigning premiers now have the pennant flying at the Barkly Street end after it was accepted by Isabel Grant and Bridie Garlick.
But it was a “super emotional” moment for former Dog Emma Kearney — now at North Melbourne — who watched her ex-teammates on from the broadcast booth.
“To see all the girls out to see the premiership flag unveil was something that was really special,” she said on Channel 7.
“It brought back really good memories of that year”.
DROPPED BUNDLE
It wasn’t a moment for the highlights reel, but has to be mentioned.
Cats ruck and premiership-winning Dog last year Aasta O’Connor had ball in hand right in front of goal for a set shot at a crucial moment, given a chance to keep Geelong in touch midway through the second term against her former teammates.
But an attack of slippery hands saw her drop the ball mid run-up and spray her kick, much to the delight of opponents including Bulldogs skipper Ellie Blackburn who took the opportunity to give her plenty.
Incredibly unfortunate, and costly.
.@JasonBennettTV chats to former Bulldog and reigning League best & fairest @Kearney_Em11 about winning a premiership and her decision to move to @NorthAFLW. #AFLWDogsCats pic.twitter.com/1COoUX8DM3
— 7AFL (@7AFL) 9 February 2019
NO No.1
After an electric debut at Kardinia Park, top draft pick Nina Morrison was forced to watch on with her fellow non-playing teammates at Whitten Oval after the devastating news this week that she had ruptured her ACL.
“She’s travelling pretty well, as well as can be expected,” Cats coach Paul Hood said.
“She’s a really resilient person and she’s already got a plan in place as to how she’s going to get back fitter than ever. She’s handled herself really well. Her teammates have really gotten around her and will continue to do so for the rest of her rehab.”
The Cats lacked spark at the contest in her absence, and will welcome the return of Mel Hickey and Rocky Cranston to the middle. No decision has been made as yet on Morrison’s surgery.
CONFUSION CONDUNDRUM
The competition’s new rules have confused many throughout the first fortnight, but it was the boundary throw-ins that left a few heads being scratched at Whitten Oval on Saturday night.
Umpires move inside the boundary to throw in these days but the trajectory of some of the throw-ins seemed to leave the rucks confused as to where they should be standing.
There have been several occasions where players have debated new rules with the whistleblowers — particularly the last touch.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.0 4.0 5.0 5.4 (34)
GEELONG 1.2 1.2 2.4 2.4 (16)
GOALS
Bulldogs: Utri, Berry, Toogood, Blackburn, McCarthy
Cats: McWilliams, Clarke
BEST
Bulldogs: Blackburn, Lamb, Scott, Berry, Spark, Conti
Cats: Purcell, Garing, Keryk, McDonald, McWilliams, Crockett-Grills
ATTENDANCE: 8612 at Whitten Oval
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