MATCH DETAILS

When: Friday 6 September
Where: MCG
First bounce: 4.30pm AEST
Membership: Sign up today
Broadcast: Fox Footy and Kayo Sports

LAST MEETING

Round 2, 2022 (Season 7)
Western Bulldogs 3.10 (28) def. Port Adelaide 1.3 (9)

The Bulldogs spoilt Port Adelaide’s party in their first game at Alberton Oval in 2022, recording a 19-point win in Round 2. The Dogs were comfortably the better side in the first half, owning distinct advantages in disposals (106-78) and inside 50s (17-6), but their 1.7 conversion kept the Power in the hunt. After a quiet start, Ellie Blackburn had a major influence, while Isabelle Pritchard was busy.

THE LINE-UP

Ins: Elle Bennetts
Outs: Ellie Gavalas

New: -

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

– Gemma Bastiani, womens.afl

Kirsty Lamb will play against her old side for the first time, on the MCG no less, and it is a real chance for Port Adelaide to snatch its first win of 2024. The Power got within 14 points of Adelaide last week by playing a highly contested game – 60.2 per cent of their possessions were contested, but on the expanses of the 'G they have an opportunity to use the ball in space. The Dogs struggled to defend the width of the ground last week and on such a big venue, there is a chance they could get opened up in defence once again. Power forward Ash Saint presents as the real lynchpin of the side's attack, and is a key player for the Dogs to quell should they limit the visitors' scoring power.

Another thing that caught the Bulldogs out last week was their inability to get their hands on the footy. They went -121 for disposal and -111 for uncontested possession, and on Friday they simply must win more of the footy to enjoy more control throughout the game. While they know how to win clearances, it is the next layer outside of the contest that caught them out, so structure around stoppages will be crucial.

The Western Bulldogs have been defeated by Port Adelaide by 40 points at the MCG on Friday night. 

The Power's Julia Teakle had a night out on the hallowed turf, kicking four goals in her side's 7.4 (46) to 0.6 (6) win in the opening game of week two.

It was all Port Adelaide from the first bounce, with the Power's opening two goals coming within the first five minutes of the game.

Ironically, it was former Bulldogs vice-captain and now Power forward Kirsty Lamb who kicked the first goal of the match off her trusty left boot, before Teakle followed up shortly after with her side's second.

The Bulldogs re-grouped and gathered momentum in the latter stages of the first quarter, finishing with three more inside 50s than their opponents despite nothing to show on the scoreboard for their efforts.

Ellie Blackburn was in everything as she attempted to lift the team in the second term, but it was to no avail. Port went into half-time with a 23-point lead, and didn't let up after the main break.

The Power's forwards continued to hit the scoreboard with ease, with Teakle kicking her fourth, Lamb her second and Gemma Houghton her first in a dominant second half.

While the Bulldogs continued to fight in the final term, keeping the Power goalless, it was another dire day for Tam Hyett's Bulldogs who finished goalless and after kicking just one goal last week against Greater Western Sydney.

The Bulldogs will look to reset ahead of a Thursday night meeting with West Coast at Mission Whitten Oval.

WESTERN BULLDOGS      0.2   0.2   0.5   0.6 (6)
PORT ADELAIDE              2.1   4.1   7.3   7.4 (46)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Port Adelaide: Teakle 4, Lamb 2, Houghton

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Blackburn, Pritchard, Georgostathis, Edmonds, Wilcox
Port Adelaide: Teakle, Moloney, Dowrick, Lamb, Houghton

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Port Adelaide: Cuthbertson (knee)

Reports: Nil

Crowd: TBC at the MCG