The Western Bulldogs have avoided the AFLW spoon, winning their second and last game of the season against the GWS Giants.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
GWS Giants 3.2.20
Western Bulldogs 7.10.52
For two teams whose squads promised so much for the inaugural AFLW competition, only pride is on the line for the final game of the season. The GWS Giants host the Western Bulldogs at Manuka Oval – join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:10pm AEDT.
In fact the loser of the match will take the unwanted title as AFLW’s first ever wooden-spooners.
Clearly, the absence of marquee Katie Brennan for the majority of the season has hurt the Dogs, and they’ve struggled to consistently get on the scoreboard as a result.
After being one of the first AFLW clubs, a last placed finish would really hurt the Dogs, and they’ll be trying everything in their power to ensure that doesn’t happen.
However the Giants can’t afford to lay down either.
With the success of the AFL men’s side and now the success of the netball side, the Giants’ AFLW won’t want to become the weak chink the in the Greater Western Sydney armour.
Phoebe McWilliams played a lone hand up forward last weekend for the Giants and with six goals, is her side’s leading goal-kicker by some margin.
Prediction
With a Grand Final berth out of the equation, both coaches will throw caution to the wind and try a few things in a bid to play the quality footy that has eluded these sides all season.
The Doggies should have too much depth through the middle through Blackburn, Kearney and Lambert, and should win by 15 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:10pm AEDT.
Josh
Roar Pro
As we congratulate the women of the GWS Giants and the Western Bulldogs on their first season of AFLW, I thank you for joining us for tonight's live blog, brought to you by The Roar. For me, I'm switching over to the cricket. Enjoy your weekend everyone.
Josh
Roar Pro
Ellie Blackburn finished with 25 disposals, six marks one goal and three behinds. Clearly the best on ground, even if just for her second half, but that's where the game was won.
Josh
Roar Pro
FULL TIME SCORE GWS 3.2.20 defeated by Western Bulldogs 7.10.52 A remarkable icing on the cake for a good win, as Ellie Blackburn slams through a major from 50m out! The siren sounds and the final difference is 32 points. It leaves the Giants languishing at the bottom of the ladder.
Josh
Roar Pro
The pressure in this contest is as high now as it was at the start of the match. No easy kicks anywhere.
Josh
Roar Pro
GOAL GIANTS All class from the prolific Emma Swanson. She took the mark but didn't panic, and spotted up a teammate. Phoebe McWilliams led perfectly and kicked just as good. That's her seventh goal of the season, the most for GWS. GWS 20 - WB 45
Josh
Roar Pro
GOAL GOAL GOAL - DOGGIES The Western Bulldogs all over the Giants now. Hannah Scott kicked maybe the best goal of the night, weaving out of traffic 50 from home, she got her kick off from about 45m and it was dead-straight. Susan Alberti would be delighted with this performance. GWS 14 - WB 45
Josh
Roar Pro
GOAL DOGS That might be the sealer! A half chance created by great pressure from Kearney, she got the ball to Kirsten McLeod, who with plenty of time snapped truly. GWS 14 - WB 38
Josh
Roar Pro
Bailey got the ball right on the forward 50 for the Dogs, and she handed it off to Blackburn. Blackburn burnt her opponent but missed to the right.
Josh
Roar Pro
One quarter to go. Giants need (at least) three goals to avoid the wooden spoon. What can they produce?
Josh
Roar Pro
THREE QUARTER TIME: GWS 2.2.14 trail 4.6.30 Just one quarter of footy left for both these teams. Doggies have the upper hand and don't look like giving it up.
Josh
Roar Pro
OUTSTANDING FINISH BY LAMB Tight angle, wrong footed - doesn't matter for Kirsty Lamb! A brilliant little left footed banana dribbler scoots through. GWS 14 - WB 30
Josh
Roar Pro
No further scores with only five minutes left in the third quarter. Leading disposal winners: 14 - Jess Dal Pos (GWS) 13 - Ellie Blackburn (WB) 12 - Emma Kearney (WB) 11 - Emma Swanson (GWS) Nice and neat disposal count there, thanks girls!
Josh
Roar Pro
It looked like GWS's Jess Bibby copped a knee to the middle of the back. She's in visible pain, but playing on.
Josh
Roar Pro
GOAL DOGS Lambert took the mark over the back of the pack, very close to the goal line but on a tight angle. Luckily, she was able to waltz around onto her right foot and snapped it through. 10 inside 50s in a row the Western Bulldogs and now danger signs for the Giants. GWS 13 - WB 24
Josh
Roar Pro
Meg McDonald HITS THE POST! A really good build-up from the Dogs led to the mark by McDonald, but her shot thudded into the post, half way up. GWS 13 - WB 18
Josh
Roar Pro
We're back for the second half. Dogs lead by just four points.
Josh
Roar Pro
HALF TIME GWS 2.1.13 trail WB 2.5.17 Well, who would've thought that the Dogs would lead after the Giants kick two in succession? Strong comeback from the tri-colours and it will be interesting to see if that continues in the second half.
Josh
Roar Pro
GOAL DOGS Gogos gets a free kick right in front courtesy of a holding the ball decision, and this time she doesn't waste the opportunity. Dogs dominating right now. GWS 13 - WB 17
Josh
Roar Pro
GOAL DOGS Kristy Lamb gets the Dogs' first goal! Finally, the Doggies are on the board. From the stoppage, Lamb grab the loose ball, but with her back to goal, had to wheel around onto her left boot and it had the legs! GWS 13 - WB 11
Josh
Roar Pro
POST DOGS Brilliant play by Lochland as she swoops on the loose ball, but her snap thunders into the post.