In less than a week, the Western Bulldogs' AFLW team will begin their quest of winning back-to-back premierships and be the first team in the short history of this competition to do so. It is always hard to win one premiership – let alone two, three or more in a row – in the AFL. It is no different in the AFLW as there are quite a few teams that will challenge the Bulldogs this year.
Despite the defections of premiership players over the course of the off-season and the injury setbacks to players over the pre-season, Paul Groves still has a quality list at his disposal. From established stars such as Katie Brennan, Hannah Scott and Ellie Blackburn, to emerging talent such as Monique Conti, Libby Birch and Izzy Huntington to untried, yet promising players such as Eleanor Brown, Aisling McCarthy and Kate Bartlett, there is no reason why the Bulldogs can't challenge for the flag in 2019.
Like many premiership sides that have come before them, this will not be an easy road to glory in 2019. Many sides have built up premiership-contending sides – think of North Melbourne, GWS, Adelaide and Brisbane – but I have every confidence that this group of players can continue to emerge and shine under the helm of Paul Groves.
The Co-Captains
It was announced recently that the club's inaugural captain Katie Brennan would share the duties with Ellie Blackburn, who captained the side to the premiership in the absence of Brennan last year. Some raise the issue if co-captaincy is necessary – I believe this is a great move for the Bulldogs.
Blackburn has proved over the first two seasons that she isn't just an A-grade midfielder, she is also a excellent leader. Her appointment should ease some of the pressure off Brennan, who hasn't exactly had a good run of luck, playing just six games from a possible 15 in her first two seasons due to injuries and one BS suspension. If she can have a clear season this year, she could without a doubt set the competition alight.
The Recruits
The Bulldogs only just brought in one ex-AFL player into the side. Former Docker Belinda Smith was sensationally cut from the Fremantle side at the end of the 2018 season after averaging nine disposals, three tackles, two marks and two rebound 50s in five games last year in a rebounding defender role. After her axing by Fremantle, she played as a forward for Swan Districts in the WAWFL and kicked 14 goals in seven games. She'll provide good experience for the team this year.
At the draft, the Bulldogs recruited solidly. With the first pick, they selected Sandringham Dragon Eleanor Brown – an athletic tall who has elite agility, endurance and a great work-rate. She is every chance to play round one, but where she plays is anyone's guess – she could play a number of positions on the ground.
With their second pick, they sprung a shock to people outside the club by taking Irish recruit Aisling McCarthy, who stemmed from the 'Cross-Coders' program – a program that searches for the best possible talent overseas. The Dogs were very impressed by her speed and power and they must've seen a lot of upside to take her in the Draft as opposed to signing her as a Rookie.
Their third pick saw them pick up highly-touted Western Australian Kate Bartlett – a player that could see a bit of time this season given the injury to Izzy Huntington. A forward that is very composed when having a shot from goal and is very intelligent in terms of her leading patterns. She was strong for WA in the under-18 championships last year, she looks like a good prospect. Other ins include VFLW players Selena Karlson – who was a solid defender for the Southern Saints last year and Jessie Davies – having impressed for the Bulldogs VFLW side last year as a half-back/wing type.
Rookie selections Tessa Boyd and Celine Moody both bring a sense of intrigue into the roster. Boyd is the sister of premiership player Tom, and is versatile, athletic and possesses a mighty kick on her. Moody is the twin sister of Breann Moody, who was a best and fairest winner at Carlton last year. She was picked up after an impressive year for Carlton's VFLW side in 2018, playing as a ruck.
The Fixture
Round 1 - 2nd February, 8:40pm
Adelaide vs Western Bulldogs – Norwood Oval
Round 2 - 9th February, 7:15pm
Western Bulldogs vs Geelong – VU Whitten Oval
Round 3 - 15th February, 7:15pm
North Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs – UTAS Stadium
Round 4 - 23rd February, 7:15pm
Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions – VU Whitten Oval
Round 5, 3rd March, 6:05pm
Fremantle vs Western Bulldogs – Fremantle Oval
Round 6, 9th March, 7:15pm
Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne – Marvel Stadium
Round 7, 17th March, 4:05pm
Western Bulldogs vs Carlton – VU Whitten Oval
It isn't a bad fixture for the reigning premiers, having four games in Melbourne – three of those will be at the Whitten Oval, including a Grand Final rematch with Brisbane in round four and a rematch of the 'Pride Game' with Carlton in the final round of the season. It'll be a tough start to the year as they travel to Norwood Oval to take on Adelaide – a side that will no doubt challenge this year. They will also play their first game at Marvel Stadium for premiership points when they play old rivals Melbourne in round six.
The Must-See Match
Unquestionably, their encounter against North Melbourne in round three will be the one game I am looking forward to this year. Dub it the 'Emma Kearney Cup' if you must, but I expect the first meeting between current league best and fairest winner Emma Kearney and her old Bulldog teammates will be a fiery one to say the least. Kearney departed Whitten Oval following the premiership win to join North Melbourne, where she will captain the side for their first season this year. Add to the fact that it will be two quality lists pitted against each other, there's no shock why it's taking a Friday Night slot. It's a shame that they're playing it in Tasmania as opposed to Victoria – it would no doubt get over 10,000 bums on seats.
The Best 21
B: Libby Birch, Bailey Hunt, Belinda Smith
HB: Hannah Scott, Lauren Spark, Nicole Callinan
MIDS: Tiarna Ernst, Ellie Blackburn, Monique Conti, Kirsty Lamb
HF: Deanna Berry, Katie Brennan, Aisling Utri
F: Brooke Lochland, Izzy Huntington, Kirsten McLeod
INT: Angelica Gogos, Emma Mackie, Bonnie Toogood, Hayley Wildes, Naomi Ferres
This was one hell of a task to do as there are plenty of players within the list that are capable of being inside the best 21. No doubt there will be a couple of selection headaches for coach Paul Groves this coming week, but it's not a bad problem to have as it shows that the Dogs still have some depth available. Of the 21 listed, only Brooke Lochland (Leg) and Izzy Huntington (Knee) will be unavailable for round one, which will open the door for players like Aisling McCarthy, Kate Bartlett and Eleanor Brown to push for an AFLW debut.
Players To Keep Your Eye On
Monique Conti had a stunning first year in the AFLW. After finishing runner-up to Chloe Molloy in the Rising Star award in 2018, Conti turned heads in the Grand Final, kicking a critical goal in the third term before taking home the best on ground medal post-game, finishing with 13 disposals and a goal in what was a stirring performance. Given the absence of Kearney this year, there has to be players that need to step up and Conti is one player that would probably be one that can fill the void. She is a very classy player, and I wouldn't put it past her to continue to improve her form.
Naomi Ferres will forever be remembered as the player that took the diving intercept mark in the last second of the Grand Final. However, what some might not know is that she followed up that with a very impressive season for the Bulldogs in the VFLW. Playing just seven games as a midfielder, Ferres won the club's best and fairest, averaging 17.4 disposals per game, including three straight games to which she averaged 20 possessions or more. Perhaps she is another that could fill the void in the middle?
Kirsten McLeod has proven to be a very dangerous player over the first two seasons of AFLW. With the injury to last year's leading goal-kicker Brooke Lochland set to keep her out for most of the season, McLeod needs to find another level in her game and become a consistently dangerous small forward. We know that she is very pacy, we know that she has a nous for the goals and we know that she is exceptional at ground level – we witnessed all this in the Grand Final last year. Now we need to see her become an elite small forward.
Final Verdict - 1st in Conference A
Before people jump to conclusions that I'm being bias, let's clear it out – I'm being 110 percent honest with this. There is nothing on the Western Bulldogs list that suggests that we will be back down to the bottom echelon of the AFLW. Even if the hole left by Kearney isn't entirely filled, there is still a lot of talented players on that list that can run through the middle throughout the game. If they can keep themselves healthy overall, then this list can definitely make their way through to the final four teams and beyond.