MATCH DETAILS

When: Friday 11 October
Where: Mission Whitten Oval
First bounce: 7.15pm AEDT
Admission: Buy tickets now
Membership: Sign up today
Broadcast: 7Mate, Fox Footy and Kayo Sports 

LAST MEETING

N/A

Friday night will mark the first time the Dogs and Dons meet in the AFLW competition, two years after Essendon entered the league. While they’ve never met on-field, there are plenty of familiar faces among the Bombers camp – with former assistant coach Natalie Wood heading up the team, and former forward Bonnie Toogood a co-captain. Ellyse Gamble (24 games at Western Bulldogs) is another familiar face, while Daria Bannister also began her AFLW career in the red, white and blue. Running out onto Mission Whitten Oval full of Pride, the Bulldogs will be keen to get back on the winners list at home. 

01:06

Pride Round | 'Being yourself, that's Brave'

Issy Grant, Brit Gutknecht & Heidi Woodley discuss the importance of Pride Round.

THE LINE-UP

Ins: Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner, Brooke Barwick, Elle Bennetts, Bree McFarlane
Outs: Lauren Ahrens (injured), Naomi Ferres, Analea McKee, Ellie Gavalas

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

– Gemma Bastiani, womens.afl

In recent matches Essendon has established a real resilience in backs-against-the-wall circumstances. It has lived dangerously deep in defence for long periods, and stood up to the challenge, led particularly well by Georgia Clarke, Amy Gaylor, and Maddison Gay, and while the Bombers don't want to live in defence, they will be confident knowing they can remain strong. This presents as a tricky prospect for the Bulldogs, who failed to take a mark inside 50 last week against North Melbourne, and struggle to generate scoring opportunities when their forward 50 is congested. Employing strategies to create space in attack will be important for the Western Bulldogs, who look best with empty grass out the back and the footspeed of players like Heidi Woodley, Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner, and now Zimmorlei Farquharson heading toward goal.

01:14

2024 Pride Guernsey

Learn the meaning behind our 2024 AFLW Pride Guernsey.

Essendon's attack does have the potential to stretch the Dogs' defence, especially with key back Lauren Ahrens (out through) injury. Issy Grant has been strong all season, as has Elisabeth Georgostathis, but with Bonnie Toogood now back in the Bombers' attack alongside Daria Bannister, Paige Scott, Sophie Alexander, and Ellyse Gamble, it will prove a tough line to stop. The Bulldogs are especially vulnerable when the opposition puts speed on the ball, which often isolates their defenders in one-on-ones. Slowing that ball movement up the ground will be important.

WHAT’S ON AT WHITTEN

We’re inviting everyone to join us at Mission Whitten Oval for our Pride Round game against Essendon this Friday night. Here’s just a taste of what you’ll be able to enjoy off-field:

  • The crew from Poof Doof will be keeping the vibes going with high-energy drag performances, DJ tunes and much more. 
  • Our match-day partner, Victoria University, will help glam you up with glitter hair braiding
  • Win amazing prizes thanks to Bulldog Pride, by purchasing your raffle tickets from the cheer squad end of the groud 
  • Show your support with free posters and badges thanks to our friends at VRGF
  • The team from PrideCup will be at the game selling merch and chatting pro-nouns before the game. 
  • Come and grab one and enjoy one of the best footy treats – The Pancake Parlour Pancake Cup!

In case that wasn't enough, you'll also be able to get your face-painted thanks to Black Raven, enjoy free popcorn thanks to NAB, Medibank will be there with their chillout van, keep the energy up with Red Bull, free women-in-sport posters from Cadbury, the best food from Mr. Meatball, ALFA and Nuggies, the pop-up market with our favourite stalls, Bulldogs giveaways during the game and a Maccas Kick2Kick after the final siren. 

For more, click here.