MATCH DETAILS

When: Saturday 31 August
Where: Manuka Oval, Canberra
First bounce: 1.05pm AEST
Admission: Buy tickets here
Membership: Sign up today
Broadcast: Fox Footy and Kayo Sports

LAST MEETING

Round 1, 2022 (Season 7)
Western Bulldogs 6.5 (41) def. GWS 5.4 (34)

The Bulldogs kicked off their 2022 campaign with a win over the Giants at IKON Park, but despite leading from start to finish couldn’t ice the game until the closing minute. Ellie Blackburn starred in a head-to-head battle with GWS’ Alyce Parker, finishing with 21 disposals, 10 contested possessions, eight clearances and six tackles. Rylie Wilcox and Heidi Woodley made their AFLW debuts, while Alice Edmonds led the hit-outs (27).

THE LINE-UP

Ins: -

Outs: -

New: Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner (debut), Brooke Barwick (debut), Elaine Grigg (debut), Cleo Buttifant (debut), Ellie Gavalas, Lauren Ahrens, Analea McKee, Jasmyn Smith

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

– Gemma Bastiani, womens.afl

Since these two inaugural sides last met, plenty has changed. Both have experienced significant player turnover in the off-season, and the Bulldogs have welcomed new coach Tam Hyett to the fold. Several fresh faces will make their debut in the red, white, and blue with No.1 draft pick Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner headlining a spate of draftees already told the good news.

The Giants need to show what they're made of and make a statement in this one. They want to play attacking footy, but simply must get better at defending the turnover. The Bulldogs will fancy themselves in this one given the pressure sitting squarely on the Giants' shoulders, but it is an opportunity for the latter to set in motion its standards for the season ahead. And if history is anything to go by, it is the Giants' for the taking, as the two sides have alternated results across their five match-ups against one another. 

Expert tip: Although history suggests the Giants, the new coach boost will just do it for the Dogs. Western Bulldogs by five points.