Western Bulldogs vs Geelong Cats: AFLW live scores, blog

By Sarah Wildy / Roar Guru

Match result:

The Western Bulldogs have defeated the Geelong Cats by 18points at Whitten Oval on Saturday evening.

With a strong breeze favouring one end of the ground, the Bulldogs were able to capitalise on their opportunities and then defended brilliantly when Geelong repeatedly went inside 50.

Just two points behind at the first break, the Western Bulldogs were really able to attack the second term, putting three quick goals on the board to no score for Geelong.

Geelong were only able to add a further one goal and two behinds to their score when they had the wind in the third term, they went scoreless in both the second and fourth quarters when kicking against it.

In the end the reigning premiers ran out three-goal victors, starting their title defence with two wins.

Ellie Blackburn (19 disposals, 9 tackles, 1 goal) was instrumental again for the Bulldogs, while Monique Conti (19 disposals) and Kirsty Lamb (17 disposals) were busy around the ball.

There were five individual goal scorers for the Bulldogs: Deanna Berry, Ellie Blackburn, Aisling McCarthy, Bonnie Toogood and Aisling Utri.

Overall, a very even performance across the field, with Lauren Spark and Libby Birch solid down back as well.

Geelong clearly missed the outside run of their Round 1 star Nina Morrison, the Cats will have to focus this week on who can play that role in her absence.

Meghan McDonald (19 disposals), Olivia Purcell (16 disposals, 5 tackles) and Julia Crockett-Grills (12 disposals, 8 tackles) worked hard inside for the Cats.

AFLW debutant Georgia Clarke got on the board with a major, as did club debutant Phoebe McWilliams.

The main concern from the match for the Cats was Aasta O’Connor. Her right knee was heavily strapped after a collision on the wing.

Final score
Western Bulldogs 5.4.34
Geelong Cats 2.4.16

Match preview:

After one-point wins in round one, the Western Bulldogs will host the Geelong Cats at VU Whitten Oval. Join The Roar for live coverage of the clash from 7:15pm AEDT.

In a nail biter, the Bulldogs kicked off their season with a one-point win over the Crows in Adelaide.

The players were thankful for the late start time, but still suffered through sweltering 36-degree heat for much of the first half.

Back-to-back goals by Katie Brennan and strong intercept marking by Lauren Spark changed the game for the Bulldogs and helped them across the line.

In Geelong, the Cats also won a thriller over Collingwood to start their first AFLW season.

It took some time, the Geelong women showing some nerves in the first term, but they settled in the second term and went into the main break in front by 11.

Collingwood fought back in the third, before two behinds for Geelong in the final term put them one point up, enough for a historic win in their first AFLW game.

Just the one change for the Bulldogs this weekend, while the Cats have three.

Irish recruit Aisling McCarthy will make her debut for the Dogs; named as the travelling emergency last weekend in Adelaide, McCarthy will take the field this week.

Belinda Smith has been omitted.

In devastating news for Geelong and the broader AFLW competition, number one draft pick and round one Rising Star nominee Nina Morrison has ruptured her right ACL at training on Thursday night.

Georgia Clarke will take Morrison’s place in the 21.

Georgie Rankin and Maighan Fogas make way for two big inclusions: Erin Hoare and Phoebe McWilliams.

McWilliams was a late withdrawal last Saturday, unable to recover from a tweaked hamstring at training, but will make her debut for Geelong this weekend. Erin Hoare is returning from a foot injury sustained in the VFLW last year.

Prediction
Following the unfurling of their 2018 premiership flag, the Bulldogs will be eager to continue their winning form on their path to back-to-back titles.

Bulldogs by seven points.

Join The Roar for all the action from 7:15pm AEDT.

Venue: VU Whitten Oval, Footscray
Time: 7:15pm AEDT
TV: Fox Sports, Seven Network
Betting: Western Bulldogs $1.70, Geelong $2.15

Western Bulldogs
B: Libby Birch, Lauren Spark, Bailey Hunt
HB: Naomi Ferres, Tiarna Ernst, Hannah Scott
C: Kirsty Lamb
HF: Nicole Callinan, Katie Brennan, Bonnie Toogood
F: Kirsten McLeod, Emma Mackie, Aisling Utri
FOL: Kimberley Rennie, Monique Conti, Ellie Blackburn
I/C: Celine Moody, Eleanor Brown, Angelica Gogos, Deanna Berry, Aisling McCarthy

Geelong Cats
B: Anna Teague, Rebecca Goring, Cassie Blakeway
HB: Denby Taylor, Meghan McDonald, Rebecca Webster
C: Renee Garing
HF: Georgia Clarke, Madeleine Boyd, Sophie Van De Heuvel
F: Kate Darby, Phoebe McWilliams, Jordan Ivey
FOL: Aasta O’Connor, Julia Crockett-Grills, Olivia Purcell
I/C: Erin Hoare, Mia-Rae Clifford, Madaleine McMahon, Danielle Orr, Madeline Keryk

Comments:

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T10:18:13+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Thanks for joining me this evening for The Roar's AFLW coverage. Two more games tomorrow to see out round two! I'll be back next weekend for more AFLW action, in the meantime have a good week.

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T10:17:08+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


The Western Bulldogs have defeated the Geelong Cats by 18-points at Whitten Oval on Saturday evening. With a strong breeze favouring one end of the ground, the Bulldogs were able to capitalise on their opportunities and then defended brilliantly when Geelong repeatedly went inside 50. Just two points behind at the first break, the Western Bulldogs were really able to attack the second term, putting three quick goals on the board to no score for Geelong. Geelong were only able to add a further one goal and two behinds to their score when they had the wind in the third term, they went scoreless in both the second and fourth quarters when kicking against the wind. In the end the reigning premiers ran out three-goal victors, starting their title defence with two wins. Ellie Blackburn (19 disposals, 9 tackles, 1 goal) was instrumental again for the Bulldogs, while Monique Conti (19 disposals) and Kirsty Lamb (17 disposals) were busy around the ball. There were five individual goal scorers for the Bulldogs: Deanna Berry, Ellie Blackburn, Aisling McCarthy, Bonnie Toogood and Aisling Utri. Overall, a very even performance across the field, with Lauren Spark and Libby Birch solid down back as well. Geelong clearly missed the outside run of their round one star Nina Morrison, the Cats will have to focus this week on who can play that role in her absence. Meghan McDonald (19 disposals), Olivia Purcell (16 disposals, 5 tackles) and Julia Crockett-Grills (12 disposals, 8 tackles) worked hard inside for the Cats. AFLW debutant Georgia Clarke got on the board with a major, as did club debutant Phoebe McWilliams. The main concern from the match for the Cats was Aasta O’Connor, her right knee was heavily strapped after a collision on the wing. At the end of the night, it was the Western Bulldogs who were too good on their home deck, turning attacking play into goals on the scoreboard. Next up for the Bulldogs is a trip to Tasmania to face North Melbourne, while Geelong will travel to Adelaide for a Sunday afternoon clash with the Crows. Final score Bulldogs 5.4. 34 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:56:46+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


FULL TIME On the siren, Moody kicks for her first goal in the AFLW... and misses to the left. The Western Bulldogs have defeated the Geelong Cats by 18-points on a breezy night at Whitten Oval. They start their title defence with two wins! Final Score Bulldogs 5.4. 34 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:53:55+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Q4 1' Final 60 seconds in this clash, we're deep in the Bulldogs' forward 50. Bulldogs 5.3. 33 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:53:33+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Q4 1' - Behind Dogs Berry misses another. Bulldogs 5.3. 33 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:52:12+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Q4 2' McCarthy goes long inside 50, mark can't be taken, we'll have a ball up. Bulldogs 5.2. 32 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:50:11+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Q4 4' Lamb - Birch - Conti, three big names involved in a quick handball transition forward, but are held up on the 50 arc. Bulldogs 5.2. 32 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:49:26+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Q4 5' Lamb down with a bit of cramp, but stretches it out and will go once again. Bulldogs 5.2. 32 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:48:31+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Q4 6' - Behind Dogs 18th possession for Blackburn, passes short over the top to Berry, who will take a set shot for goal. She has plenty of distance on the kick, but it just pulls to the near side. Behind. Bulldogs 5.2. 32 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:47:16+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Q4 7' A few sore bodies resting up on the sidelines before they attack these last 7 minutes of play. Bulldogs 5.1. 31 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:45:38+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Q4 8' Moody catches Geelong exiting defensive 50, gets the free for holding the football and will send it back inside for the Dogs. Bulldogs 5.1. 31 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:44:52+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Q4 9' Bulldogs go inside 50 again, 2 on 1 with Blackburn, she's beaten in the contest. Bulldogs 5.1. 31 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:43:52+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Q4 10' - Behind Dogs Brennan throws one on the boot, but sprays it across the face for a behind. Bulldogs 5.1. 31 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:43:22+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Q4 12' Birch punches it inside 50, Brennan and co can't get hands on it... eventually the ball comes out of the contest. Bulldogs 5.0. 30 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:40:35+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Q4 14' Bulldogs head forward through McCarthy but the Cats defenders get back. Bulldogs 5.0. 30 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:40:01+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Q4 15' Underway in the last. Bulldogs 5.0. 30 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:36:46+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Despite dominating possession and retaining the ball in their forward half for much of the quarter, Geelong have only been able to put 1 goal, 2 behinds on the board, to the Bulldogs' 1 straight goal. Blackburn sat back in defence that term, ordering her troops to limit the impact of the Cats repeat inside 50s. Blackburn, Spark and Conti lead the disposal count for the Dogs, while Keryk, Clark and McDonald lead the way for the Cats. Two debutants scored the goals in the third quarter. Firstly Georgia Clarke hit the scoreboard for the Cats, then Irish recruit Aisling McCarthy got on the board in her first match for the Dogs, playing on from a free kick. Score Bulldogs 5.0. 30 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:32:31+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


THREE QUARTER TIME Bulldogs go into the final break by 14 points, and they'll kick home with the wind. Bulldogs 5.0. 30 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:32:05+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Q3 1' - Behind Cats Crockett-Grills gets it out to Keryk, who kicks forward to McWilliams... McWilliams gets away from her defender by a good two strides and takes the chest mark. Misses to the left. Two behinds for McWilliams this quarter, oh how the Cats would have loved those to be goals. Bulldogs 5.0. 30 Geelong 2.4. 16

AUTHOR

2019-02-09T09:30:27+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Q3 1' Dogs try to exit again, but the kick is out on the full, just over a minute to go in the term. Cats will try to go forward once again. Bulldogs 5.0. 30 Geelong 2.3. 15

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