After two tough weeks against quality opposition, this weekend sees a grand opportunity for the Western Bulldogs to notch up their second win of the season.
Sitting a game and significant percentage outside the top three in conference B, the Bulldogs have to travel down to Leederville Oval on Saturday night, where they will take on the only side that has yet to register a win in conference B - The West Coast Eagles.
On the back of two crushing defeats, one might suggest that this a game where the Dogs should win easily. It’s easy to understand why. The Eagles were absolutely smashed by Fremantle in the first Western Derby in round two and last week against the Giants in Blacktown, they didn’t register a score until the start of the last quarter. But this is the first time we’ll see the Eagles at Leederville in their short time in the league, and who knows what that could bring.
For the Bulldogs, I thought they played a good brand of football last week against Carlton. They did well to absorb a lot of the pressure that the Blues brought in. Unfortunately, the Dogs looked gassed towards the end of the match and allowed their opposition to run away with it towards the end of it. But overall, Bulldog fans should be encouraged with what they saw last week and if they can bring it into this week, then one might have to wonder how much.
But don’t count the Eagles out of it yet. If there’s one thing I’ve learned after writing about Football and following the Western Bulldogs for years is that no one game comes easy. We’ll see what happens on Saturday night.
The Teams
Western Bulldogs
IN: Ashleigh Guest, Hannah Munyard, Britney Gutknecht OUT: Deanna Berry (Concussion), Angelica Gogos (Knee), Brooke Lochland (Quad)
B: Ellyse Gamble, Lauren Spark HB: Katy Herron, Izzy Huntington, Naomi Ferres C: Bailey Hunt, Kirsty Lamb, Gemma Lagioia HF: Gabby Newton, Bonnie Toogood, Kirsten McLeod F: Dani Marshall, Elisabeth Georgostathis FOL: Kim Rennie, Ellie Blackburn, Aisling McCarthy INT: Eleanor Brown, Ashleigh Guest, Hannah Munyard, Hannah Scott, Britney Gutknecht EMG: Nicole Callinan, Amelia Van Oosterwijck
Following the defeat by Carlton, the Bulldogs have been forced to make three changes. Angelica Gogos will miss the next four weeks with a knee injury, which is basically curtains for her AFLW season, unless the Dogs do the highly unlikely and play finals. Deanna Berry will miss this week due to concussion sustained last Saturday, whilst Brooke Lochland will miss with a quad injury that was suffered at training.
But they bring in three players that will make their Bulldogs debut. Ashleigh Guest was part of the deal that sent Libby Birch to Melbourne in the AFLW trade period last year, but after a pre-season hampered with ankle and knee problems, the defender has been given the all-clear to play her first game of 2020. Britney Gutknecht was a ball-winning midfielder from the Northern Knights last year and was highly rated, whilst Hannah Munyard was a free agent signing following last year’s Draft and has proven in the SANFLW how dangerous she can be in the middle.
West Coast Eagles
IN: Cassie Davidson, Emily McGuire OUT: Tarnee Tester (Foot), Kate Orme (Omitted)
B: Belinda Smith, Talia Radan HB: Chantella Perera, Sophie McDonald, Cassie Davidson C: Mikayla Bowen, Imahra Cameron, Niamh Kelly HF: Kellie Gibson, Grace Kelly, Maddy Collier F: Ashlee Atkins, Emily McGuire FOL: Parris Laurie, Dana Hooker, Emma Swanson INT: McKenzie Dowrick, Beatrice Devlyn, Hayley Bullas, Emily Bonser, Courtney Guard EMG: Kate Orme, Kate Bartlett
Two changes to the West Coast line up will see two experienced heads make their season debuts. Cassie Davidson played 14 AFLW games with Fremantle in 2017 and 2018 and provides a good intercept role across half-back. The other inclusion is another ex-Docker in Emily McGuire, who showed good potential for Fremantle during the 2018 season before she got delisted. She spent time since working as a defender, but lines up as a forward, which is interesting. The pair replace Tarnee Tester who is out with a foot complaint and Kate Orme, who was dropped.
The Big Question
Western Bulldogs - Is Izzy Huntington Best Suited In Defence?
I’ve had a few games now to assess the Izzy Huntington position change from forward to back. I can honestly say that I love it. Last week was far and wide her best game, she got into all the right spots and stopped a lot of Carlton’s ball movement, particularly in that second half when the Dogs were trying to get themselves back in the contest. I would’ve loved to have seen the Dogs move her to the forward line in that last quarter, especially when the Bulldogs were down by single figures. She could provide another marking option up there and has known to give it a roost. But all in all, I think she’s found a home in that back five.
West Coast Eagles - Where Does The Improvement Come From?
The first thing that stands out to me with this West Coast team is that their midfield depth is sparse. Dana Hooker is an A-grade midfielder, but it kind of dips away from there and as a result, she struggles because she gets double teamed in the congestion. Captain Emma Swanson is a capable player, but she must find another gear for the Eagles to go forward. And then allow the likes of Hayley Bullas, Courtney Guard and Mikayla Bowen to find their feet in this level. They do this, then they can start to figure out how their forward structure is going to work, because that’s been another big issue this season.
Players To Watch
Western Bulldogs - Gabby Newton
Last year’s number one draft pick is slowly putting together a good first season in the red, white and blue. Whilst the likes of Georgia Patrikios, Roxanne Roux and Lucy McEvoy are arguably making more noise in terms of the Rising Star race, I feel like this is the quiet achiever of the lot. Nobody is really talking about her the same way those other three are being talked about. I’m not saying this is a bad thing - I would rather her fly under the radar. Newton’s averaging 12.7 disposals and six tackles per game across the first three games of her career, which I still think is very impressive for someone who is playing a mixture of half-forward and midfield.
West Coast Eagles - Imahra Cameron
In what has been a rough start to the season for the West Coast Eagles, Imahra Cameron has been one of a few standouts thus far. Having previously shown herself as an electric small forward, Cameron has showed in stints that she is just as hard and tough in the congestion as she is dangerous in the forward line. So far she has averaged 14.7 disposals, 5.3 tackles, but has been let down by her efficiency in front of goal, kicking 1.3 so far from her first three matches in her AFLW career, but at least she’s getting her opportunities - she just needs to make the most of them. The Dogs must look at her Saturday night.
Final Verdict - Western Bulldogs By 30 Points
I’ve watched West Coast’s last two weeks, and if we’re being brutally honest here, they will struggle to even get close to a win, let alone win one. I was encouraged by their round one game against Collingwood, they brought an intensity to the contest that they just haven’t been able to sustain. If they can bring that against the Bulldogs on Saturday night, they might be with the chance, given the Bulldogs’ struggles moving the ball forward of centre. But still, that’s a big if.
I think the Bulldogs should win this game comfortably, they’re not as bad as what the 1-2 record might suggest, but still the losses to both Melbourne and Carlton will tell you that they aren’t at that stage where they can compete for another premiership, not yet anyway. There are still five games to go in the season, but after this game, they have to play Collingwood, Fremantle and North Melbourne - and all three of them loom as premiership fancies at this stage, so it’s a big month ahead - they need this win for their confidence.