The Western Bulldogs have taken another step towards a maiden appearance in the AFLW Grand Final with a solid win over Collingwood on Sunday.
Final score
Collingwood 6.5 (41)
Western Bulldogs 7.7 (49)
The Collingwood Magpies will host the Western Bulldogs at Ted Summerton Reserve in Moe on Sunday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 2:35pm (AEDT).
Both teams come into the game off big wins and while Collingwood looks to continue earning credibility back, the Bulldogs will see this as a must-win match to remain leading the Grand Final race.
After demolishing an injury-battered Carlton last week, the Bulldogs sit on top of the ladder with a percentage of 200.
The two sides right below them on the ladder in Brisbane and Melbourne play each other this week and a loss could see the Bulldogs lose their grip on a Grand Final position.
The most impressive aspect of their win over Carlton wasn’t Brooke Lochland’s seven goals, it was winning the inside 50 count 30-29 in a 73 point smashing.
Without their best player in Katie Brennan and the number one draft pick Isabel Huntington up forward, they still managed 26 scoring shots from 30 inside 50’s, while the Blues managed just three from 29.
Regardless of who Carlton had on the field, that is a dominance you just don’t see in this sport, but Collingwood has the right players to worry the Bulldogs this week.
Brittany Bonnici did a fantastic job restricting Daisy Pearce to nine disposals and no impact, and it’s reasonable to assume she’ll get the job on one of Ellie Blackburn or Emma Kearney.
Carlton wouldn’t have been prepared in the slightest for Lochland’s game, but the Pies have now had a week to gameplan and have a natural match-up in Ilish Ross who quelled Darcy Vescio in Round 1.
The Pies also crushed Melbourne on turnovers which led to the likes of Christina Bernardi, Moana Hope and Caitlyn Edwards running into open goals.
If the Bulldogs want to win, they’re going to have to keep the game contested and win the stoppage battle.
Oh, and maybe pay attention to Chloe Molloy who’s the only player in the game averaging 15 disposals at over 75 per cent disposal efficiency. The only player close to that is her captain Steph Chiocci who’s averaging 14.
Prediction
Both teams are in red-hot form, but it would be folly to bet against the Bulldogs after their display last week.
Collingwood was heavily challenged last week and they got up for the game, but this is the match where they can cement themselves as a team to be taken seriously. A one-win season is still on the cards.
They can definitely cause an upset here – but the Dogs by 10 points.
Cisco Kid
Guest
solid win ? they won by 8 points?
Nic Negrepontis
Roar Pro
Full Time VOTES: 3 - Ellie Blackburn 2 - Monique Conti 1- Brooke Lochland Collingwood: 6.5 (41) Western Bulldogs: 7.7 (49)
Nic Negrepontis
Roar Pro
Full Time The Pies were galant, but the Dogs get the job done in a heated affair in Moe. They now sit a game clear on top of the ladder. Collingwood: 6.5 (41) Western Bulldogs: 7.7 (49)
Nic Negrepontis
Roar Pro
1:19 - Wow! Collingwood would have been having a shot for goal but the free kick is reversed and the Dogs are now going forward. Cost them a shot at winning this one. Collingwood: 6.5 (41) Western Bulldogs: 7.7 (49)
Nic Negrepontis
Roar Pro
Goal 1:43 - Christina Bernardi shows what she can do streaming into goal and slotting it. Collingwood: 6.5 (41) Western Bulldogs: 7.7 (49)
Nic Negrepontis
Roar Pro
Behind 4:14 - Molloy again turns a couple of players inside out, but her snaps just misses. Collingwood: 5.5 (35) Western Bulldogs: 7.7 (49)
Nic Negrepontis
Roar Pro
Goal Chloe Molloy has been moved forward and funnily enough, she marks inside 50! Guess that's what happens when you play the best 18-year-old forward in the comp where she belongs. Collingwood: 5.4 (34) Western Bulldogs: 7.7 (49)
Nic Negrepontis
Roar Pro
Goal Brooke Lochland's kick is touched off the boot and the contest in the goal square falls in Nicole Callinan's lap and she puts through the easiest of goals. That's all, folks. Collingwood: 4.4 (28) Western Bulldogs: 7.7 (49)
Nic Negrepontis
Roar Pro
10:19 - The Pies are controlling the play, but haven't made the Dogs pay yet. Collingwood: 4.4 (28) Western Bulldogs: 6.7 (43)
Nic Negrepontis
Roar Pro
11:04 - Amelia Barden's shot at goal misses. The Pies can't afford to waste opportunities. Collingwood: 4.4 (28) Western Bulldogs: 6.7 (43)
Nic Negrepontis
Roar Pro
12:10 - Christina Bernardi has had a fantastic season, but hasn't been able to have an impact today. Collingwood: 4.2 (26) Western Bulldogs: 6.7 (43)
Nic Negrepontis
Roar Pro
15:00 - Final term underway Collingwood: 4.2 (26) Western Bulldogs: 6.7 (43)
Nic Negrepontis
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Three-Quarter Time The Dogs doing it comfortably at the moment. One quarter of footy left to play. Collingwood: 4.2 (26) Western Bulldogs: 6.7 (43)
Nic Negrepontis
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Behind 0:38 - Mo Hope's shot at goal goes across the face. She's had no impact on this one. Collingwood: 4.2 (26) Western Bulldogs: 6.7 (43)
Nic Negrepontis
Roar Pro
Behind 1:40 - Hayley Wildes runs around from a last touch free kick but her shot misses to the left. Collingwood: 4.1 (25) Western Bulldogs: 6.7 (43)
Nic Negrepontis
Roar Pro
4:09 - Brooke Lochland turning into the All-Australian full forward after Katie Brennan and Isabel Huntington went down was pretty handy for the Dogs, aay? Collingwood: 4.1 (25) Western Bulldogs: 6.6 (42)
Nic Negrepontis
Roar Pro
Goal 6:51 - An errant kick is intercepted by Toogood who handballs to Blackburn in the goal square and the Dogs have another. Collingwood: 4.1 (25) Western Bulldogs: 6.6 (42)
Nic Negrepontis
Roar Pro
9:38 - The Dogs kick the ball inside 50, it goes out of bounds and the Pies get the free kick and rebound. How's that last touch out of bounds rule going? Collingwood: 4.1 (25) Western Bulldogs: 5.6 (36)
Nic Negrepontis
Roar Pro
Goal A fourth free kick inside 50 and a fourth goal for the Pies. Caitlyn Edwards gets her second. Collingwood: 4.1 (25) Western Bulldogs: 5.6 (36)
Nic Negrepontis
Roar Pro
Goal 14:20 - The clearance is won by the Dogs and Brooke Lochland marks and slots her second goal! Collingwood: 3.0 (18) Western Bulldogs: 5.6 (36)