The final game of the Western Bulldogs' 2019 AFLW season is this weekend, as they host conference B leaders Carlton in the annual 'Pride Game' – set to be held at the Whitten Oval late in the afternoon. The first Pride Game between the two sides resulted in a mammoth Western Bulldogs victory, but since then, things have been very different.
The Bulldogs are not only out of running for a spot in the Finals, but they will finish last in conference A, which is a bit of a fall from grace when you consider they were the premiers 12 months ago. Despite a four-game losing streak, the Dogs have shown improvement since they were last at the Whitten Oval, where Brisbane handed them a pantsing.
By reckoning, they should've at least shared the points with Melbourne last week. After being dominated in the opening term, the Dogs made them pay for their inaccuracy in front of goal, but the Dogs couldn't hold them off in the final minutes. However, it sets them in good stead to at least get one more win on the board against a Carlton side that has a fair bit to play for.
Currently sitting on top of conference B, a win to the Blues will make it four wins from their last five and punch their ticket to the Finals for the first time ever. Even if it means they play someone from a much powerful conference A, they will be the best team in their group. Lose and they'll need to rely on Geelong losing to GWS and Brisbane losing to Collingwood to stay alive. However, regardless of the result, it's been a much better year for the Blues, who finished as wooden spooners last year.
The Teams
Western Bulldogs IN: Kate Bartlett, Celine Moody
OUT: Selena Karlson, Ellyse Gamble
B: Naomi Ferres, Lauren Spark, Libby Birch HB: Hannah Scott, Tiarna Ernst, Bonnie Toogood MIDS: Kim Rennie, Ellie Blackburn, Monique Conti, Kirsty Lamb
HF: Aisling McCarthy, Brooke Lochland, Kate Bartlett F: Izzy Huntington, Katie Brennan, Celine Moody
INT: Eleanor Brown, Angelica Gogos, Nicole Callinan, Kirsten McLeod, Aisling Utri
EMG: Ellyse Gamble, Bailey Hunt
The Bulldogs have made two changes to the team that lost out to Melbourne by a point last Saturday. Celine Moody comes back into the side, in what should be a nice little sibling match-up with twin sister Breann who was one of two Carlton best and fairest winners last year. The other inclusion is debutant Kate Bartlett, a highly-rated under-18 forward for Western Australia and Peel Thunderbirds. She has a good kick on her and is often a very composed head around goal. Defender Selena Karlson and forward Ellyse Gamble have been omitted.
Carlton
No Changes
B: Nicola Stevens, Jayde Van Dyk, Brooke Walker
HB: Jess Hosking, Kerryn Harrington, Gab Pound
MIDS: Alison Downie, Sarah Hosking, Chloe Dalton, Katie Loynes HF: Maddie Prespakis, Tayla Harris, Breann Moody
F: Darcy Vescio, Brianna Davey, Georgia Gee
INT: Charlotte Wilson, Abbie McKay, Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Amelia Mullane, Lauren Brazzale EMG: Nat Plane, Courtney Webb
On the back of two straight wins – one of which came against a Brisbane side tipped by many to be a genuine finals contender – Carlton head into this line-up unchanged. Why would you want to change a line-up that has been getting the wins on the board? The team has been in good form in the right time of the season and it's a team that could be a real force in a couple of years, providing the four expansion teams don't pillage them in the off-season.
The Big Question
Western Bulldogs – Where Has It Gone Wrong This Season?
I think the obvious answer would come from the lack of midfield depth following the departures of Emma Kearney and Jenna Bruton – both of which are playing great footy at North this season. Ellie Blackburn hasn't had as great a year as she as had in recent years, and as good as Monique Conti and Kirsty Lamb have been, the depth has been seriously tested this year. Forward issues have also been a big problem since the beginning of the season, but the returns of Huntington and Lochland have resulted in five and six goals respectively in the past two weeks.
Carlton – Has Bri Davey Up Forward Worked? If you're basing it on individual stats alone, then you're probably going to say it hasn't, but I don't see it like that. Despite kicking just one goal for the year, Davey has also spent a fair amount of time up the ground, but when she has played up forward, it does enable the likes of Darcy Vescio and Tayla Harris to do the job that is required. Harris is playing career-best football at the moment, and Vescio is having a much better year than 2018, despite kicking a very inaccurate 4.9 this season. I think it's played a role in Carlton's resurgence in 2019.
Players To Watch
Western Bulldogs – Libby Birch
I touched on Darcy Vescio just before, she is more dangerous this season than last and given that Libby Birch did such a good job on her this time last year, I'd like to see her do the job once again. Birch has had her good moments this year and her bad, but I thought one-on-one last week against Aliesha Newman, the Demon had her well beaten in the opening half. When she hasn't been shutting forwards out of games, I think she's improved her ability as an intercept marking half-back this year. One to watch for me as we close out the Bulldogs' AFLW season.
Carlton – Maddy Prespakis I don't think you need me to tell you how good of a player Maddy Prespakis has been for Carlton this year. She is averaging 20.2 disposals per game, which is in the top five in the competition. Half of those disposals are contested possessions, which also speaks volumes for her hunger for the contest. She has also kicked five goals for the year, which highlights how deadly she is in front of goal when given the opportunity. A player that the Bulldogs must try and contain if they want one last win for the season.
Final Verdict
This is a game that Carlton must win just to ensure their standing in conference B and also get a home preliminary final. Given how good Carlton are travelling at the moment and how the Bulldogs are on a losing streak, I feel inclined to give my tip to the Blues. However, I'm going to predict the Bulldogs to topple them and end 2019 on a high note. I think their past two weeks have been that promising, a win will come up sooner rather than later and I think this would put the Doggies in good stead for 2020.
Western Bulldogs By 4 Points