All the key talking points ahead of the Western Bulldogs’ Grand Final rematch with the Brisbane Lions at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday night.
No Gamble on Ellyse
It’ll be a sight for sore eyes when Ellyse Gamble runs out for the Dogs on Saturday night.
The 21-year-old has been a Bulldog since day one of the AFLW competition, and played six games in an encouraging debut season.
But a syndesmosis injury cruelled her 2018 campaign, and she was forced to watch her team-mates achieve the ultimate while from the sidelines.
But she’s back fit and firing, and gets her chance on the big stage almost two years since she last graced the field in the tri-colours.
Here’s hoping she can clunk a few, hits the scoreboard and sing the song after the game.
ROUND 4 AFLW MATCH-DAY INFORMATION
Another week, another debutant
Top 10 draft pick Eleanor Brown and Irish recruit Aisling McCarthy have lived through the buzz of wearing the Bulldogs jumper for the first time in the first two rounds, and now it’s Selena Karlson’s turn.
Karlson is 20, from the Southern Saints in the VFLW and was the Club’s fourth pick in last year’s draft.
She’s an aggressive and competitive key defender (she’ll fit in nicely in the red, white and blue).
Go well, Selena.
AFLW ROUND 4 TEAM: KARLSON TO DEBUT
In the memory bank
This is a grand final rematch – just the second of its kind in the AFLW competition – and that means things will go up a notch.
The Lions will remember that soggy afternoon at Ikon Park last March, where they led early before the Dogs ran away with the game, and the premiership, in thrilling fashion.
This time, the VU Whitten Oval fortress will behind the reigning champs. Whether history repeats itself is a matter for the football gods, but we know our girls will give it their best shot, no matter what happens.
WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD: CALLINAN
Conference call
Much has been made about the AFLW’s new conference system this week. Good, bad or ugly, it’s here to stay - for the rest of this season at least.
Sitting pretty after two rounds, the Dogs were shunted to last place in Conference A courtesy of last week’s loss to North.
But all that will change if they can get the chocolates against the Lions. With the other four teams playing each other this weekend, a win will likely rocket the Dogs up the ladder, and right back in contention for a top-two spot.
