1. A new hope?
So we’re off to Moe this weekend to face a Magpie outfit brimming with confidence after dispatching of the Demons last week by an impressive 34-points.
But the Pies didn’t just get lucky, They may be last on the AFLW ladder but their percentage of 100 is the third highest in the competition and they probably should have a couple of extra wins to their credit but haven’t been able to play our the full four quarters.
That all changed last weekend and marquee Mo Hope found some form, kicking a couple – all good signs for the Magpies.
2. Unwatchable they said…
As for the Dogs, how do you top last weekend’s blistering 73-point demolition of the Blues?
The reality is that a result like that only comes around once in a while and the focus this week would be grabbing the win, be it by one point, 10 points or 80 points.
Brooke Lochland may have snatched the headlines but the Dogs’ pressure on the ball carriers combined with sharp use of the footy was the key to the win, and that’s what matters most at this point of the season.
BTW – about that win last week… Unwatchable they said. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
3. All the stars
Optimism abounds at the Kennel this week, and no we’re not talking about the Dogs’ spot on top of the ladder.
No, we’re talking about the fact that after four rounds into the season and Bonnie Toogood, Libby Birch, Ash Utri and Monique Conti have all bagged NAB AFLW Rising Star nominations. Four nominations in half a season? Yes please.
And with each girl coming across from other sports (Toogood & Birch are former netballers, Utri played hockey and Conti plays for the Boomers in the WNBL), it’s fair to say the Dogs coaching group is doing a lot of things right.
4. It’s a long way to the top
Finally, we have to talk about the run home. The Dogs are 3-1 after found rounds, tick. A percentage of 200, 63% ahead of the second place Lions, tick.
So now the ball is in our court. The next two weeks are against sides in the bottom half of the ladder, but as we’ve said above, even the last placed Magpies are very dangerous on their day, and the Giants at home are no pushovers, such is the closeness of the competition.
Then that leaves a final round clash with the Demons… strap yourselves in, this is going to be fun.
