The key talking points ahead of the Western Bulldogs’ first home match of the 2019 AFLW season, against Geelong at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday night.

1. New kids on the block

All eyes were on the two new teams – Geelong and North Melbourne – in Round 1, and the Bulldogs’ round two opponents started their AFLW campaign with a one-point win.

The Cats’ line-up will be boosted by the key inclusions of forward Phoebe McWilliams and ruck Erin Hoare, but they will still be without skipper Mel Hickey.

One positive for the Dogs will have been seeing their opponents in action last week – and the home ground advantage will be another, as the two unbeaten teams go head-to-head.

2. KB’s nerves settled

If there were any nerves in the Bulldogs camp last week as they kick-started their premiership defence, a first-up win against Adelaide will have eased them.

One player who will be better for the run is co-captain Katie Brennan.

“She sort of mentioned to me it’s probably the most nervous she’s been for a game of footy, off the back of an ankle injury, not having played, and back to Adelaide,” Dogs’ coach Paul Groves said.

But with two goals to break the game open, ‘KB’ has started the season in style.

3. Aasta la vista

The Bulldogs’ premiership ruck said ‘Aasta la vista’ to VU Whitten Oval at the end of 2018 – but to channel Arnold Schwarzenegger twice in one line, it hasn’t been long until declaring ‘I’ll be back’.

Aasta O’Connor will return to Footscray this week, in blue and white hoops, to take on the Dogs as the premiership flag she helped attain is unfurled.

It will be interesting to see how she’s received by her former teammate – and the crowd!

4. The luck of the Irish

Tipperary export Aisling McCarthy has been tipped for big things.

Saturday night’s clash with the Cats will mark the 22-year-old’s AFLW debut after being taken with pick 23 in the 2018 NAB AFLW Draft.

McCarthy has been named on the bench – and Groves the hard-working debutant with plenty of ‘X-factor’ will present an exciting small forward option when she gets her opportunity.