MATCH DETAILS

When: Sunday 22 September
Where: Victoria Park, VIC
First bounce: 3.05pm AEST
Admission: Buy tickets now
Membership: Sign up today
Broadcast: Channel 7, Fox Footy and Kayo Sports

LAST MEETING

Elimination Final, 2022 (S7)
Western Bulldogs 5.5 (35) def. by Collingwood 5.10 (40)

The Bulldogs’ AFLW season came to an early end in the Season 7 Elimination Final against Collingwood. The never-say-die Bulldogs launched a spirited second-half comeback which almost saw them run down a 28-point deficit, but eventually fell five points short. Midfield duo Ellie Blackburn (16 disposals and six tackles) and former Dog Kirsty Lamb (17 possessions and seven marks) toiled hard, while Isabelle Pritchard controlled the wing with 17 touches.

THE LINE-UP

Ins: Elisabeth Georgostathis, Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner
Outs: Brooke Barwick (managed), Aurora Smith

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

– Gemma Bastiani, womens.afl

It's fair to expect this one will be stoppage heavy, and pressure filled, as both teams have used pressure and physicality to increase their competitiveness after difficult starts to the season. The likes of Isabelle Pritchard, Dom Carruthers, and Deanna Berry can flex their muscles through the middle and offer their forwards plenty of supply. What is crucial is that the Dogs take the momentum gained late against Brisbane on Wednesday, and use that as fuel, knowing that the Pies have typically started games well but fallen away after the fact. If the Bulldogs can weather the early storm, this game is theirs for the taking.

Things have gone from bad to worse for Collingwood. Already without Brit Bonnici in the middle, both Mikala Cann (suspension) and Bri Davey (concussion) will miss Sunday's clash with the Bulldogs. This means a new batch of midfielders must step up to the plate. Replacement signing Carly Remmos, Tarni White (on return from suspension), and Charlotte Blair will need to carry the load, with the likes of Muireann Atkinson and Grace Campbell likely to get some minutes at the contest. But the Western Bulldogs will no doubt be looking at this game as their most winnable, even without Ellie Blackburn out there.

The Western Bulldogs have scored a breakthrough maiden win under new coach Tam Hyett, defeating a disappointing Collingwood by 42 points at Victoria Park.

The Pies – with two top-up players in their 21 – started brightly but barely fired a shot thereafter, while the Dogs grew in confidence and connection as the game progressed, finishing in a 9.3 (57) to 2.3 (15) result.

It means Collingwood is still yet to register a win under new coach Sam Wright, and its worst AFLW start on record – 0-6 in 2019 under Wayne Siekman – is in sight after five matches.

Collingwood small forward Eliza James had only kicked one goal in her four matches this year but got the Pies off to a hot start in the first term, kicking the first major 30 seconds after the opening bounce, and the last 30 seconds before the quarter-time break.

After starting the season at half-back, Jess Fitzgerald spent a lot more time in her customary midfield role, attempting to fill the void left by injured superstar Ellie Blackburn (foot). She finished with 15 touches and kicked two goals.

The Pies had the run of the play in the first quarter, but the Dogs settled in the second, owning a lot more of the footy (even if their disposal was a little shaky at times) and impressing with their defensive pressure across the field as they added three goals for the term.

Last year's number one draft pick Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner had her best game by far, kicking her maiden AFLW goal (courtesy of a 50m penalty) to help the Dogs to a nine-point lead at the main break.

While Collingwood was understrength, fielding two top-up players in Jordi Ivey and debutant Sarah Ingram, the players panicked time and time again with dump kicks while trying to exit defensive 50, unable to find a safe passage forward.

The floodgates opened in the second half, the Dogs kicking five goals and holding the Pies scoreless.

Isabelle Pritchard (28 and six clearances) led the way in the midfield for the Dogs, with Maggie Gorham (18) providing plenty of rebound out of defence, and Alice Edmonds (29 hitouts, 12 touches) having the better of in-form ruck Sabrina Frederick.

Draftee Pies defender Lucy Cronin (20 and seven marks) continues to go from strength to strength, while Ruby Schleicher led the way in the clearances with seven.

COLLINGWOOD               2.2     2.3     2.3     2.3     (15)
WESTERN BULLDOGS     1.0     4.0     6.1     9.3     (57) 

GOALS
Collingwood: James 2
Western Bulldogs: Woodley 2, Fitzgerald 2, Weston-Turner 2, Hartwig, Borg, Gavalas 

BEST
Collingwood: Schleicher, Rowe, Cronin, Campbell
Western Bulldogs: Pritchard, Edmonds, Gorham, Fitzgerald, Wilcox, Georgostathis 

INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil