MATCH DETAILS
Round 2 v Hawthorn
When: Sunday 10 September
Where: Mars Stadium
Gates open: 12.05pm, AEST
First bounce: 1.05pm AEST
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Broadcast: Fox Footy, AFL & AFLW official apps.
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2022 (S7) SUMMARY
Western Bulldogs 7th 7-3 109.8%
Hawthorn 15th 3-7 57.1%
LAST MEETING
Round 4, 2022 (S7)
Hawthorn 1.1 (7) def. by Western Bulldogs 6.1 (37)
The Western Bulldogs moved to the top of the ladder after their convincing 30-point victory over winless Hawthorn at rain-ravaged Box Hill City Oval last year. The undefeated Bulldogs (4-0) combined toughness with elite finishing on Saturday to prevail, with Kirsty Lamb (25 disposals, seven clearances, one goal) named best-on-ground in her 50th game. Captain Ellie Blackburn (22 disposals, four tackles, one goal) fed off the ruck supremacy of Alice Edmonds (29 hit-outs, two marks, three clearances), while Isabelle Pritchard slotted her maiden AFLW goal.
TALKING POINTS
A chance to strike gold
After suffering defeat to Geelong in their opening round clash, the Bulldogs will be keen to square the ledger and notch up their first win of the season when they host the Hawks. The Dogs’ last outing to Mars Stadium saw them prevail by 15 points in Pride Round – and with the support of the Ballarat faithful will hopefully have something to cheer about come Sunday afternoon.
Edmonds continues fine form
Many said Alice Edmonds was unlucky to not be named All Australian last year – and if her round one outing is anything to go by this season, she’ll be well and truly in contention again. She finished with 31 hit-outs, 16 disposals and eight tackles against the Cats, and should be filled with confidence after playing one of her career-best games (39 hit-outs, nine tackles) at Mars Stadium in season seven.
One out, one in?
The Bulldogs will be forced into making at least one change for the Sunday clash, with scans confirming a ruptured ACL for 50-gamer Elle Bennetts. Rylie Wilcox (illness) was a late withdrawal on Saturday - making way for Maggie Gorham to make her league debut – and will be monitored this week. De Berry (leg) is also closing in on a return, progressing from 2-3 weeks away to a test this week, and would be a boost to the Bulldogs’ attacking 50 no doubt.
