Bulldogs Vs Dockers AFLW Preview
- Alex Docherty
- Feb 2, 2018
- 6 min read
The time is almost upon us for the commencement of the AFLW 2.0 and the time is nearly upon us for the Western Bulldogs restart their quest for an AFLW premiership. 12 months ago, the Dogs were among the favourites in the pre-season because of their time in the exhibition matches throughout the past number of years. 12 months ago, they encountered the Fremantle Dockers in their first AFLW league match, which resulted in a big win to the Bulldogs.
12 months from that match, these two sides will kick off their respective campaigns once again at the Whitten Oval – this time under entirely different circumstances. 12 months ago, the Dockers were also highly fancied flag favourites because of the talent that the state of Western Australia possesses, along with the appointment of one of the best female coaches in the land in Michelle Cowan. Both sides enter 2018 looking to make amends for disappointing 2017 seasons.
The Western Bulldogs lost their following five matches after disposing of Fremantle last season, and only narrowly avoided the spoon with a win in the final round of the home and away season. Fremantle could only manage one win and a draw in their seven games last year, only finishing percentage above Greater Western Sydney, who ended up finishing last place on the ladder. A loss to the Bulldogs on Sunday, and one can sense that the pressure might begin to build up on Cowan, if the Dockers continue their struggles in 2018 and beyond.
Regardless of where these two teams stand in the grand scheme of things, these two sides should put on an entertaining contest on Sunday afternoon. Fremantle defeated the reigning premiers Adelaide in a practice match a couple of weeks ago, and even though it wasn't played for points, the win will no doubt install confidence in Michelle Cowan's troops ahead of this season, despite being without two of their big-name players in Kiara Bowers and Kellie Gibson.
The Dogs, despite going down to Carlton in their exhibition match, showed signs of improvement in terms of ability, endeavour and a willingness to work. They had stuck with the Blues for the opening three quarters of that game and went down by 16 points. The first three weeks will be telling for the Bulldogs, as they will take on last year's Grand Finalists in the upcoming two weeks, but for now, they would love to see how they fare against the Dockers on Sunday.
The Teams
Western Bulldogs
NEW: Isabel Huntington (AFL Draft), Monique Conti (AFL Draft), Jenna Bruton (AFL Draft), Daria Bannister (AFL Draft), Emma Mackie (AFL Draft), Deanna Berry (Melbourne), Bonnie Toogood (Rookie Selection), Aisling Utri (Rookie Selection) Naomi Ferres (Rookie Selection)
B: Aisling Utri, Aasta O'Connor, Libby Birch
HB: Hannah Scott, Isabel Huntington, Brooke Lochland MID: Tiarna Ernst, Emma Kearney, Angelica Gogos, Ellie Blackburn HF: Nicole Callinan, Bonnie Toogood, Deanna Berry F: Monique Conti, Katie Brennan, Jenna Bruton INT: Daria Bannister, Kirsty Lamb, Naomi Ferres, Hayley Wildes, Emma Mackie, Bailey Hunt, Lauren Spark (Two To Be Omitted)
Potentially nine new faces could line up for the Doggies this weekend. Number one draft pick Isabel Huntington, to nobody's surprise, has been named. However, she will start as a key defender, after being recruited as a forward. Fellow first-round draft pick Monique Conti will play after she missed the practice game due to WNBL commitments and will line-up in the forward line as will former Melbourne forward Deanna Berry, rookie selection Bonnie Toogood as well as the returning Katie Brennan, who hasn't played in the red, white and blue since round two in the AFLW last season. Daria Bannister, Emma Mackie and rookie selections Aisling Utri and Naomi Ferres could also be in line for their debut on Sunday. Fremantle NEW: Alex Williams (GWS Giants), Jodie White (AFL Draft), Evie Gooch (AFL Draft), Leah Mascall (AFL Draft), Ashlee Atkins (AFL Draft), Tayla McAuliffe (Rookie Selection), Lisa Webb (Rookie Selection)
B: Brianna Green, Alex Williams, Tiah Haynes HB: Hayley Miller, Jodie White, Ebony Antonio
MID: Alicia Janz, Leah Mascall, Kara Donnellan, Dana Hooker HF: Stephanie Cain, Evie Gooch, Gabby O'Sullivan F: Melissa Caulfield, Stacey Barr, Ashlee Atkins
INT: Belinda Smith, Tayla McAuliffe, Amy Lavell, Cassie Davidson, Lisa Webb, Ashley Sharp, Lara Filocamo (Two To Be Omitted)
The Dockers could name up to seven debutants of their own as they look to make amends from their last game at Whitten Oval. Former GWS Giant Alex Williams is the most notable inclusion of the eight, having spent her 2017 season in the orange last season, and will line up at full-back. Draftees Evie Gooch and Ashlee Atkins will start up forward, whilst Leach Mascall and Jodie White will also be on the ground. Rookie selections Tayla McAuliffe and Lisa Webb are also chances to debut.
Last Time They Met – Round 1, 2017
Western Bulldogs: 6.8.44
defeated
Fremantle 1.6.12
In the first official AFLW match at Whitten Oval, the Western Bulldogs took care of a wayward Fremantle outfit, cruising to a 32-point win in front of just over 10,000 spectators at the home of the Bulldogs. After an even first quarter, which saw the Dogs lead by a straight kick, the Dockers shot themselves out of the match by half-time, kicking five points in the second term, before the Bulldogs slowly pulled away, kicking four goals to just six behinds after quarter time to record a comfortable victory.
Emma Kearney was a standout in the midfield, racking up 21 touches for the Dogs, whilst captain Katie Brennan shrugged off a tough tag from Ebony Antonio to finish as the only multiple goal-scorer with two majors. For the Dockers, Kara Donnellan tried her best, finishing with 16 disposals, whilst Belinda Smith (17 disposals) and Dana Hooker (15 disposals) were also impressive for the losing side.
Players To Watch
Western Bulldogs
Isabel Huntington
There is – without doubt – a lot of eyes on last year's number one draft pick come Sunday. This will be her first official league game since mid-2016 and with being the number one pick in any draft class, there comes an insane amount of pressure that comes with it. She played only a half in the Bulldogs' practice match against Carlton and from all reports, she played very well – even kicking the Dogs' first goal on the board. I think this young lady has a very composed head on her shoulders and I believe that she will have no issues with the pressure on Sunday.
Ellie Blackburn
Stepping in for the injured Katie Brennan as the club's captain for the most part of last year, she ended the 2017 season on a high note, which can only mean great things for the Bulldogs heading forward. The addition of the draftees mean that she will get a solid amount of support. I'm very excited to see how this bodes for her in season 2018. My belief is that she is a frontrunner for the league best and fairest, but let's see what happens on Sunday evening first. Along with Brennan, Ellie Blackburn is perhaps the Dogs' most dangerous player.
Fremantle
Ebony Antonio
She had a very good battle with Katie Brennan the last time these two sides met and I cannot wait to see these two go at it again. Antonio held her own for most of the match, but in the end, Brennan's endurance got the better of her, booting a pair of majors. Antonio is a very solid defender and is incredibly hard to beat at the best of times – so I'll be very interested to see how she responds this time around.
Stephanie Cain
Even though Fremantle was the only team in charge of the Western Australia draft pool, I still found it very surprising that they would opt to draft Steph Cain with the second overall pick, just months after delisting her. However with her athleticism, and at 21 years of age, the former Soccer prospect still has her best football ahead of her and season 2017 was somewhat of a testament to that – playing six of seven games. What will be her role in the side come Sunday?
Final Verdict
It'll be hard not to back the Bulldogs here. Fremantle have an injury list that is already risen up to a handful of players. As mentioned earlier, they'll really miss the presence of both Bowers and Gibson, who did win a premiership with Adelaide just 12 months earlier. It doesn't help that injuries to both Kirby Bentley and Beatrice Devlyn hurts the club's depth – and we haven't even started the season yet.
The Bulldogs will win this game and win it in comfortable fashion, but it won't come without some resistance from Freo. There are some talent there, particularly in the midfield. Kara Donnellan is a hard-nosed, yet fantastic player, Dana Hooker won Fremantle's best and fairest and Lara Filocamo finished inside the top five in the league's best and fairest last season. Key forward Stacey Barr has improved a bit since last season also, so there is a little bit to get excited about for Fremantle fans.
Unfortunately though, I think the Dogs have more class around the ground than the Dockers, and I think under the guidance of their captain, the Dogs should have a good win to head into next week's massive contest against Brisbane.
Western Bulldogs By 26 Points
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