It was the ideal start to the AFLW season for Paul Groves’ Bulldogs, but where was the game won - westernbulldogs.com takes a closer look at the Dogs’ 26-point win.
Kicking for a living
There was something different about this Bulldogs team and it wasn’t just the presence of powerhouse Katie Brennan.
The Dogs were handball happy last year, illustrating a team who lacked confidence to drop it on the boot. Not this year – the Dogs were kicking at a 3-1 clip over the handball, a 180 degree turn from last season. But you don’t need the stats sheet to see the Dogs’ ball use was much improved from last year, and when you have a forward line as potent as coach Paul Groves does, you want the ball in their hands as often as possible.
That’s what they did and the result was Round 1’s highest score and a spot on top of the ladder.
My, My, My
Speaking of Brennan. There were players with more touches but it’s difficult to find someone who impacts the game like she does. The Dockers were clearly Brennan-conscious all game and rightfully so. Her opening quarter goals into the breeze (and one from an angle) were exceptional.
Games of football have been played at the corner of Barkly and Gordon for over 100 years and it’s a cast of thousands will tell you how difficult that is.
She was forward, back and at times in the middle – whatever the team needed – just a commanding performance all round.
How about them pups?
The Dogs had winners all over the ground – Ellie Blackburn deserves a mention – but how about them pups?
Izzy Huntington had just six kicks but looked threatening every time she went near it. One play, five minutes in, where she danced on a dime to find space, drew gasps from the crowd. And Monique Conti … that two-bite grab in front of goal in the first term was outstanding.
But it was the young group’s grunt as much as their skills that were key. The Dockers were out to intimidate the young Dogs and they responded with a symphony of crunching tackles and rollicking hip and shoulders.
