westernbulldogs.com.au break down the four things to keep an eye on ahead of Saturday’s AFLW decider at Ikon Park.
Match Information: AFLW Grand Final
1. The Ride
So it comes down to this. After finishing sixth with just two wins from seven last season, the Dogs now find themselves in the decider as clearly the best team of the home and away season. What a ride, it’s been.
We’ve had heartbreaking injuries and controversial suspensions, but we’ve also continued to blaze a trail for women’s sport, wbroken all-time scoring records and saw Brooke Lochland play one of the single most entertaining football games ever.
Some of our girls have even earnt cult followings, from the #SparkieSelfie to the Jenna Bruton Appreciation Society, capturing the hearts of footy fans everywhere.
But none of it matters if we don’t hold up that Cup on Saturday. The Ride isn’t over, there’s history to make.
2. KB
There’s also Katie, our leader and captain, who’ll be on the sidelines when the ball in bounced on Saturday afternoon.
She is a giant of the women’s game and an inspiration to her teammates, but as flattening as the tribunal’s decision is to rub her out, we have to move on. There’s no doubt she will have an enormous impact on those that do play from now until the final siren, and if we do get up, she will have had a huge hand in the victory.
The best thing we can do now for her is to WIN.
3. Loch it in
Of course we’d rather have Katie in the side than not, but you know who’s been pretty good when the champ has missed this year? That’s right, Brooke Lochland has been a revelation in front of goal and has provided more than ample scoring power all year.
There was her game-winning heroics last weekend, her record breaking seven-goal performance a couple of weeks back against the Blues and if you haven’t noticed, she’s actually topped the League goal kicking this year. All at 158cm.
So we therefore move that from this day forth the AFLW leading goal kicker award be named the Brooke Lochland Medal.
4. The others
Driven by redemption, and according to Lions skipper Emma Zielke, a perceived lack of respect from the rest of the competition this year, the Lions will be fierce opponents this weekend, make no mistake.
Sabrina Frederick-Traub has been virtually unstoppable in recent times, kicking three first quarter goals against the Giants last week, and pretty much beat the Demons off her own boot a fortnight ago.
And after dropping last years Grand Final after going through the season undefeated, they’ll be out for blood.
What a game this is going to be. Is it Saturday yet?
