With both the AFLW and AFL Fixtures released within a week of eachother, I thought it would be a good time to share what my thoughts are on what lies ahead for both Western Bulldogs' teams for 2019. Mostly, what I can say about it is positive.
AFLW Fixture
Starting with the ladies – the reigning champs of the AFLW. For those that don't know, the AFL decided to alter how the fixture is set up. What I mean by this is that the 10 teams competing next year will be placed into two conferences of five teams. The top two teams in each conference play off in a preliminary final and the winner of each of those two games play off in the Grand Final the following week.
In my honest opinion, it's unique, it's completely unnecessary and I just don't understand why the AFL can't just do one league and have every team play each other once. All teams will play seven games – four against teams in their own conference and three games against teams in the other conference. It just sounds really stupid, and there is no real reason why the AFL can't just let every team play off against each other once. At least there is somewhat of a Finals Series this year instead of the top two teams playing off in the Grand Final.
In terms of what awaits the Western Bulldogs in 2019, they will be kicking off their premiership defence with a trip to Adelaide to take on the Crows in what should be an exciting encounter. If their match-up this year was anything to go by, it will be a massive game. They will have to travel another two times following that game – a trip to Fremantle Oval to take on the Dockers in round five and a reunion with premiership Bulldogs Emma Kearney and Jenna Bruton as they play North Melbourne in round three. It's a shame that the game is in Tasmania, because I think a game like that could draw 10,000 at Whitten Oval easy.
Other notable games to put down for 2019 include the Grand Final rematch with Brisbane in round four – to be played at the Whitten Oval. The Bulldogs will be part of a double-header at the newly-named Marvel Stadium, where they will host old rivals Melbourne following the Collingwood/North Melbourne game. It'll be the first games to be played at Docklands for AFLW premiership points, whilst a rematch of the Pride Game with Carlton is to be scheduled in round seven at Whitten Oval.
Whilst it is tough to a degree, I can see this Western Bulldogs team winning at least four games next season. Their best footy can certainly beat Adelaide, who I expect will contend next year, likewise Melbourne who will be up there. Brisbane is going to be a tough game, but exciting nonetheless. Geelong and North are unknown quantities – The Cats have more younger players and North have a loaded roster. Fremantle in Fremantle looms a tough assignment and Carlton could be anything under new coach Daniel Harford – I'm looking forward to next year.
Western Bulldogs' 2019 AFLW Fixture
Round 1 – Saturday 2nd February (8:10pm CDT)
Adelaide v Western Bulldogs – Norwood Oval
Round 2 – Saturday 9th February (7:15pm EDT)
Western Bulldogs v Geelong – Whitten Oval Round 3 – Friday 15th February (7:15pm EDT)
North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs – UTAS Stadium
Round 4 – Saturday 23rd Februrary (7:15pm EDT)
Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions – Whitten Oval
Round 5 – Sunday 3rd March (3:05pm WDT) Fremantle v Western Bulldogs – Fremantle Oval
Round 6 – Saturday 9th March (7:15pm EDT) Western Bulldogs v Melbourne – Marvel Stadium Round 7 – Sunday 17th March (4:05pm EDT) Western Bulldogs v Carlton – Whitten Oval
AFL Fixture
Given that the Western Bulldogs finished the 2018 season in 13th position, there was some expectation that they would be handed an easier draw in comparison to the previous couple of seasons. Despite one glaring omission, I think Bulldogs fans should be happy with the draw for next year.
The glaring omission I am talking about is the Good Friday game – which has been handed to Essendon next year, who take on North Melbourne. I'm not so much angry about the club being left out, as I am with the Bombers – who already have two marquee games (Anzac Day and the Dreamtime Game), were actually crap in both games AND missed finals – and the AFL reckon it's a good idea to reward them with a third marquee game. Why can't the Bulldogs and North just have the Good Friday game? That match last year was nearly packed and it was close. On top of that, every other Victorian Club has at least one marquee game (St. Kilda playing in China certainly counts) , so why not the Bulldogs?
So despite that, the Bulldogs will be 17 of their 22 games in Victoria this year, which I think is a massive plus. They will have to travel to Perth twice, as well as one trips to each of Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales, but still, that is pretty good considering there will be some Victorian sides having to travel a bit more than just five occasions.
The start of the year looks good. Not only are their first five games in Melbourne, but they could have three wins to their name by round five. They will be one of the first two teams to play under the new Marvel Stadium rebranding, when they take on Sydney in Round one in a game that could shape their season, this is followed by games against Hawthorn, Gold Coast, Collingwood and Carlton – the games against Hawthorn and Collingwood to be played at the MCG.
They will have another two occasions that see them play in Victoria for four consecutive weeks. Those coming in rounds 7-10 and rounds 16-19. The Dogs, because of their poor record this year, will only play one Friday night game this year, that coming against Collingwood in round four. They will also have new opponents at Mars Stadium next year, with Brisbane (round eight) and Adelaide (round 23) as opposed to the Gold Coast and Port Adelaide.
They will play Collingwood, Geelong, Fremantle, Carlton and Brisbane all twice next year. They could just about lock in two wins against the Blues, whilst it may be a bit harder to beat Brisbane and Fremantle on their respective home decks. The Dogs have not beaten Fremantle over in WA since 2009 and Brisbane were very close to beating the Bulldogs at the Gabba last year. The Bulldogs' win over Geelong this year has me confident they can at least snatch one of two wins, whilst taking on Grand Finalists Collingwood will be a challenge.
All in all, I think this is a fixture that can propel the Bulldogs back into Finals contention for 2019. Whether or not they will play Finals is on the coach and players. They certainly have the talent to make some noise and their last month of 2018 certainly showed that they can play some good footy. We just need to see it a bit more consistently.
Western Bulldogs' 2018 AFL Fixture (All Times Are Melbourne Times)
Round 1 – Saturday 23rd March (7:25pm) Western Bulldogs vs Sydney Swans – Marvel Stadium
Round 2 – Sunday 31st March (3:20pm) Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs – MCG
Round 3 – Sunday 7th April (2:20pm) Western Bulldogs vs Gold Coast Suns – Marvel Stadium
Round 4 – Friday 12th April (7:50pm) Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs – MCG
Round 5 – Sunday 21st April (1:10pm)
Western Bulldogs vs Carlton – Marvel Stadium Round 6 – Saturday 27th April (8:10pm) Fremantle vs Western Bulldogs – Optus Stadium Round 7 – Saturday 4th May (7:25pm) Western Bulldogs vs Richmond – Marvel Stadium Round 8 – Saturday 11th May (1:45pm) Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions – Mars Stadium Round 9 – Saturday 18th May (4:45pm) Geelong vs Western Bulldogs – GMHBA Stadium
Round 10 – Saturday 25th May (2:10pm)
Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne – Marvel Stadium Round 11 – Sunday 2nd June (5:20pm)
West Coast Eagles vs Western Bulldogs – Optus Stadium Round 12 – BYE
Round 13 – Saturday 15th June (7:25pm)
Carlton vs Western Bulldogs – Marvel Stadium
Round 14 – Sunday 23rd June (3:20pm)
Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood – Marvel Stadium
Round 15 – Saturday 29th June (7:40pm) Port Adelaide vs Western Bulldogs – Adelaide Oval
Round 16 – Saturday 6th July (7:25pm)
Western Bulldogs vs Geelong – Marvel Stadium
Round 17 – Sunday 14th July (3:20pm) Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne – Marvel Stadium
Round 18 – Sunday 21st July (4:40pm) St. Kilda vs Western Bulldogs – Marvel Stadium
Round 19 – Sunday 28th July (1:10pm) Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle – Marvel Stadium
Round 20 – Sunday 4th August (4:40pm) Brisbane Lions vs Western Bulldogs – The Gabba
Round 21 – Saturday 10th August (7:25pm) Essendon vs Western Bulldogs – Marvel Stadium Round 22 – Sunday 18th August (3:20pm) GWS Giants vs Western Bulldogs – Spotless Stadium Round 23 – Date and Time TBA Western Bulldogs vs Adelaide – Mars Stadium