HoneyBadger35
They're not going to pick him, Mitch.
- Aug 11, 2011
- 28,407
- 80,396
- AFL Club
- West Coast
- Moderator
- #1
The Eagles hit the road for the first time this season, for the first leg of a classic AFLW back to back. Thursday night footy against the Dogs leads in to a Tuesday night clash with Collingwood, in what presents a unique test for Daisy Pearce’s troops.
West Coast can’t afford to look too far ahead, as they have some business to take care of tomorrow against a very vulnerable Bulldogs side. After winning the 2018 Premiership, the Dogs have imploded and now find themselves anchored to the bottom of the ladder. How embarrassing.
Massive losses to start the season (9-72 and 6-46) have the Bulldogs reeling, which has left the Eagles as decisive favourites heading into a game for what must be the first time in club history.
Last time they met: West Coast 5.6.36 def by Western Bulldogs 6.8.44
Much maligned Eagles head coach Michael Prior left his position in the build up to the last meeting between the sides. However, this unfortunately opened the door for the Bulldogs first and only victory of 2023, led by 32 disposals from captain Ellie Blackburn. The Dogs opened up as much as a 26 point lead, before some late goals provided hope for the hosts, but the damage was already done.
Teams:
For the Dogs, #1 overall pick Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner has been managed and will miss the game.
Ones to watch:
Having won the inside 50 count in the reverse fixture, the Eagles have a chance to rectify what has already emerged as a concern in season 2024: the supply battle.
Essendon smothered West Coast in the first quarter last week, recording 14 inside 50s to zero. The Eagles did well to get their hands back on the wheel and threaten a comeback ahead of 3QT, but they left themselves far too much to do.
The midfield grouping of Roberts (16 disposals), Lewis (15 disposals), Drennan (11 disposals) and rotation stints from Swanson (13 disposals), Harken (9 disposals) and Hosking (4 disposals) simply did not win enough footy to build meaningful periods of momentum. This will need to change against a Bulldogs side that has been blown off the park two weeks in a row, despite finding more footy and having a superior inside 50 differential than West Coast. Harken has paid the price for a somewhat difficult debut, making way for another debutant in Octavia Di Donato.
Ellie Blackburn remains the key to the Dogs outfit, with her tenacity at clearances and in the contests helping her to 25 and 26 disposals to start the season. Lauren Ahrens has offered something of an outlet for an under siege Bulldogs backline, but it’s otherwise been a very lean start to the year at the Kennel.
Prediction: I really don’t care how they do it - this is simply a game the Eagles need to win. There haven’t been many in club history but, after a start to the season that has at least shown the club is serious about its AFLW program, it’s time for the team to go out there and professionally get this done. Eagles by 12.
West Coast can’t afford to look too far ahead, as they have some business to take care of tomorrow against a very vulnerable Bulldogs side. After winning the 2018 Premiership, the Dogs have imploded and now find themselves anchored to the bottom of the ladder. How embarrassing.
Massive losses to start the season (9-72 and 6-46) have the Bulldogs reeling, which has left the Eagles as decisive favourites heading into a game for what must be the first time in club history.
Last time they met: West Coast 5.6.36 def by Western Bulldogs 6.8.44
Much maligned Eagles head coach Michael Prior left his position in the build up to the last meeting between the sides. However, this unfortunately opened the door for the Bulldogs first and only victory of 2023, led by 32 disposals from captain Ellie Blackburn. The Dogs opened up as much as a 26 point lead, before some late goals provided hope for the hosts, but the damage was already done.
Teams:
For the Dogs, #1 overall pick Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner has been managed and will miss the game.
Ones to watch:
Having won the inside 50 count in the reverse fixture, the Eagles have a chance to rectify what has already emerged as a concern in season 2024: the supply battle.
Essendon smothered West Coast in the first quarter last week, recording 14 inside 50s to zero. The Eagles did well to get their hands back on the wheel and threaten a comeback ahead of 3QT, but they left themselves far too much to do.
The midfield grouping of Roberts (16 disposals), Lewis (15 disposals), Drennan (11 disposals) and rotation stints from Swanson (13 disposals), Harken (9 disposals) and Hosking (4 disposals) simply did not win enough footy to build meaningful periods of momentum. This will need to change against a Bulldogs side that has been blown off the park two weeks in a row, despite finding more footy and having a superior inside 50 differential than West Coast. Harken has paid the price for a somewhat difficult debut, making way for another debutant in Octavia Di Donato.
Ellie Blackburn remains the key to the Dogs outfit, with her tenacity at clearances and in the contests helping her to 25 and 26 disposals to start the season. Lauren Ahrens has offered something of an outlet for an under siege Bulldogs backline, but it’s otherwise been a very lean start to the year at the Kennel.
Prediction: I really don’t care how they do it - this is simply a game the Eagles need to win. There haven’t been many in club history but, after a start to the season that has at least shown the club is serious about its AFLW program, it’s time for the team to go out there and professionally get this done. Eagles by 12.
