Western Bulldogs show they will be a force in the AFLW after big win over Fremantle
THE Western Bulldogs were more willing to take a risk while Katie Brennan lifted when it mattered. ELIZA SEWELL looks at the talking points from the Dogs’ big win over Fremantle.
THE Western Bulldogs staked their claim for AFLW glory after a comprehensive 32-point win over Fremantle on Saturday night.
More than 10,100 fans packed Whitten Oval in another ringing endorsement for the new women’s competition on a bumper opening weekend.
The majority of them left happy as the Dogs punished Fremantle for sloppy finishing during the second term and ran away with the match after halftime, winning 6.8 (44) to 1.6 (12).
FEVER PITCH: CROWDS FLOCK TO WHITTEN OVAL
BLOG: BULLDOGS BIG WIN, FANS CALL FOR NEW THEME SONG
FIRST BANNER: DOGS UNLEASH BRILLIANT WOMEN’S BANNER
Midfield star Emma Kearney, a medium-pace bowler for Melbourne Stars in the WBBL, starred for the Dogs, gathering 21 disposals in the middle, while captain Katie Brennan broke free after quarter-time to kick two majors.
The Bulldogs led by seven points at halftime but the Dockers added just one behind to their score after the main break.
And Freo’s troubles could be compounded during the week, with the match review panel likely to assess a high hit by impressive defender Ebony Antonio on Jess Gardner during the final term.
Dana Hooker (15 disposals) and captain Kara Donnellan (13) were among the Dockers’ most prolific ball-winners, with Lara Filocamo playing her defensive role well in the middle.
ELIZA SEWELL looks at the six talking points from the match:
Here’s some numbers for you: 24,500, 9250 and 10,100
That’s 43,850 for the first three games of the opening round of the AFLW.
There’s Melbourne v Brisbane to go at Casey Fields today, which has a capacity of 10,000. Could the 50,000 barrier be broken?
The Bulldogs have players willing to take risks and they link up well
Emma Kearney’s run and carry broke the game open.
She took on her opponent and created opportunities for the Bulldogs and was still running at game’s end.
A single-handed pick up where she fed the ball to Brooke Lochland late in the game was one of her signature moves.
Smart midfielder-small forward Jamie Lambert showed great pace and is a good kick.
Ellie Blackburn finds the ball and delivers it well, with her snap goal in the third a bonus.
Kirsten McLeod was lively and has great pace.
How did Katie Brennan go?
Brennan didn’t kick a bag and was well held by Ebony Antonio early, but she still managed to be one of the most influential players on the ground.
The marquee forward hurt her ankle just nine days ago but showed no obvious signs of it.
While Antonio did the job early, delivery into attack was also an issue.
She had two clever goal assists, a deft tap out of the contest that created Jamie Lambert’s running goal that gave the Bulldogs a six point quarter-time lead and then a toe poke out to Ellie Blackburn in the third delivered the Bulldogs their fifth.
She kicked her first AFLW goal after a contested mark over Brianna Green in the second term and her second from a set shot in the last.
How did this game compare to Carlton v Collingwood?
This game was more open than Friday night. There were still stacks of stoppages and both teams put a player behind the ball at times, but the ball moved quicker.
There was end-to-end play and spread. It was a possession game, highlighting the skill of these highly fancied teams. They weren’t afraid to chip it around.
But it was still a scrap.
The Dockers kicked 1.6 for the match, four in the space of a couple of minutes in the second term. In such short games, it’s too costly.
The Dogs weren’t much better. They were 4.0, but a third quarter where they scored 1.6 sullied that.
The Dogs play a smart game and are super-fit.
From villain to hero
Aasta O’Connor was having a nightmare at fullback.
She kicked a 50m bomb straight into the hands of a Fremantle player, she was just lucky Stacey Barr failed to convert.
Only moments later she was in the back pocket and kicked the ball out on the full.
Coach Paul Groves moved her to full forward in the third term and it was a master stroke. The game opened up and her strength in a making contest shone and she kicked her first goal for the match
She could have had another when 20 kicked across the defensive goal and she almost marked the ball, but she spilt it and it dribbled over the goal line.
Is there a travel factor for Fremantle?
Fremantle was an early flag favourite but the Dockers couldn’t get the points in their first trip to Melbourne.
They were fast early but faded and were overrun and overworked by the Bulldogs.
The Dockers still have to travel to Sydney and Melbourne again in their remaining six home-and-away games.
VOTES
3. Emma Kearney
2. Ellie Blackburn
1. Katie Brennan
Western Bulldogs best: Kearney, Blackburn, Brennan, Lambert, Scott
Fremantle best: Hooker, Antonio, Filocamo, Smith, Bresland, Donnellan
WHAT THE COACHES SAID
Bulldogs coach Paul Groves: “They’ve got some exceptional players in that team and they’re going to be really hard to beat so for us, we’re really happy with that scalp.
“We were able to grind it out and then get the game on our terms a little bit. Our run-and-carry is a pretty big feature of what we’re trying to do.”
Fremantle coach Michelle Cowan: “This is AFL football and they’ve got to bring that effort and that endeavour and be relentless.
“The Bulldogs were incredible with their relentless pressure and tackling. We need a lot more players giving better effort.”
Originally published as Western Bulldogs show they will be a force in the AFLW after big win over Fremantle
’Better prepared’: Roos brace for heat test
A North Melbourne star has revealed why her side is confident it can handle unusual conditions in Saturday’s preliminary final.
AFLW scraps controversial move
Several coaches were adamant their AFLW campaigns were derailed by a controversial fixture move which has been scrapped for 2025.
Power to ‘throw the kitchen sink’ at Roos juggernaut
Emma Kearney is set to return on Saturday to make North Melbourne an even scarier prospect for Port Adelaide, but the Power won’t be taking a backward step.