MATCH DETAILS

When: Wednesday 18 September
Where: Brighton Homes Arena, QLD
First bounce: 7.15pm AEST
Admission: Buy tickets now
Membership: Sign up today
Broadcast: Channel 7, Fox Footy and Kayo Sports

LAST MEETING

Round 2*, 2022 (S6)
Western Bulldogs 5.4 (34) def. by Brisbane 10.6 (66)

After a COVID-riddled campaign which saw the Bulldogs play make-up matches in Season 6, the Dogs finished their AFLW season with a gallant 32-point defeat to reigning premiers Brisbane. Taking the game to sunny Ballarat and entering the second half only a goal down, the hosts couldn’t stay with the powerful Brisbane outfit, as the visitors kicked five of the last six goals to run away with the contest. Ellie Blackburn led the way, collecting a game-high 25 touches and four tackles, while Rocky Cranston finished with two goals.

THE LINE-UP

Ins: Cleo Buttifant, Kaylee Kimber, Heidi Woodley, Ellie Gavalas
Outs: Ellie Blackburn (injured), Elisabeth Georgostathis (managed), Bree McFarlane, Analea McKee
New: Kaylee Kimber (club debut)

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

– Gemma Bastiani, womens.afl

The Western Bulldogs showed some real grit and physical presence last week to make an early statement, but they just couldn't make that pressure last long enough to snag a win. Where it really breaks down for the Bulldogs is up forward, where they are converting a goal from just 5.2 per cent of their forward entries, and against Brisbane's tough defensive line, this conversion doesn't look likely to improve. The Dogs are heavily focused on getting numbers behind the ball to prevent opposition scoring, which then leaves them with nowhere to go once they do create the turnover. Brisbane's forward line, headlined by tall trio Dakota Davidson, Taylor Smith, and Eleanor Hartill will almost certainly cause the Dogs to populate their backline in a similar way, and ultimately get stuck in that half of the ground.

Through the middle, it would be reasonable to expect Dom Carruthers to run with either Ally Anderson or Belle Dawes. While Carruthers isn't strictly a tagger, she is a strong defensive midfielder that can force accountability from her direct opponent. But the real asset of Brisbane's midfield is its ability to spread the ground, and attack. Limiting that in any meaningful way will take a layered defensive effort from the Bulldogs. On top of it all, the Bulldogs will be without Ellie Blackburn.

The Western Bulldogs have put up a fight against reigning premier Brisbane on Wednesday night at Brighton Homes Arena.

It was always likely to be one-way traffic against the winless Dogs, but steadied after quarter-time in a 11.15 (81) to 5.4 (34) affair.

The premier dominated early, recording 17 inside 50s to one in the first quarter to establish a 22-point advantage that was never challenged.

Brisbane played without spearhead Dakota Davidson, who was the latest of late withdrawals with illness, but it made little difference as Taylor Smith starred in the front half of the ground.

Sophie Conway was damaging by foot, gaining 633m – almost double the next highest on the ground – and mixed in some rugged defensive pressure with eight tackles. Belle Dawes (20 and a goal) and Ally Anderson (25) were also instrumental in the win.

It was far from the perfect performance from Brisbane, as the Bulldogs showed plenty of bite, particularly after half-time.

Trailing by 33 at the half, the Dogs kicked four goals, and conceded just five, in the second half.

Isabelle Pritchard (19 disposals and five clearances) and Sarah Hartwig (two goals) were the team's best players, while Lauren Ahrens (19 disposals, three marks, six intercepts) was solid in defence.

Jasmyn Smith finished with six tackles, as did Heidi Woodley. 

Elaine Grigg kicked her maiden AFLW goal in unlikely fashion, providing a memorable moment for the 18-year-old.

Some bark from the Dogs
This looked like it might get ugly early, but to the Bulldogs' credit, they fought back and threw some punches at the premiers. After kicking just four goals in their first three winless matches to start the season, it looked like being another tough day as they trailed by 33 at half-time. However, following goals by Elaine Grigg and Elle Bennetts in the third quarter, the Dogs grew in confidence and began challenging Brisbane's defence. Isabelle Pritchard was excellent, while Sarah Hartwig (2.2 from 11 disposals) was dangerous from limited opportunities.

Up next
Brisbane is on the plane to Perth on Thursday to prepare for its four-day turnaround ahead of facing West Coast on Sunday at 3.05pm AWST. Likewise, the Dogs have a four-day break, heading back to Melbourne to face Collingwood at Victoria Park on Sunday at 3.05pm AEST.

Match Details

BRISBANE     3.4       6.5       8.13     11.15 (81)
WESTERN BULLDOGS         0.0       1.2       3.3       5.4 (34)

GOALS
Brisbane: Smith 4, Conway 2, C.Svarc, Hodder, Hartill, Dawes, Yoshida-Martin
Western Bulldogs: Hartwig 2, Grigg, Berry, Bennetts

BEST 
Brisbane: Conway, Dawes, Smith, Anderson, Koenen, Mullins
Western Bulldogs: Pritchard, Hartwig, Fitzgerald, Grant, Ahrens

INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Brisbane: Dakota Davidson (illness) replaced in selected side by Luka Yoshida-Martin
Western Bulldogs: Nil

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 2712 at Brighton Homes Arena