Western Bulldogs 7.7 (49) beat Collingwood Magpies 6.5 (41)
Lots of feeling in that one, and in the end quite a tight game with plenty of competitive spirit shown by the Pies who have had their best two weeks for the season. Things could have been different, with Bernadi lining up for goal in the final minute before some ill-discipline from her teammates resulted in a reverse free-kick. That reflected the fierce nature of a game in which two players were reported– Steph Choicci, Collingwood’s captain, and Dogs defender and tagger Libby Birch.
The Bulldogs dominated inside 50s (30-22), contested possessions (94-79) and marks inside 50 (six to one). Tackles (59-37) and hitouts (43-16), however, went the way of Collingwood. Blackburn starred for the Dogs with 17 disposals, while Brooke Lochland continued her fine form from last week with another two goals. For the Pies, Edwards kicked two, and Sarah D’Arcy and Jasmine Garner had 13 disposals each.
The Western Bulldogs now go one game clear on the ladder, and look increasingly assured of a spot in the grand final. Whether they host it or not will depend on percentage, which their 73 point win against Carlton last week might take care of. Apparently the Gabba is booked if the Lions finish on top, but right now they’ll just be hoping to finish ahead of Melbourne in second.
Blackburn says today’s tight contest was a “much-needed challenge” for the team, while she has been impressed with her teammates’ response to so many injures: “last year we really relied on Katie [Brennan] in particular, but we’ve done much better as a team [to cover injuries] this year”. Says Dogs aren’t thinking about or even mentioning the grand final, just focusing on GWS next week. Wise captain’s words!
The Doggies now belt out a passionate rendition of ‘Daughters of the West’ on the field – a good note for us to finish on.
I hope you enjoyed this AFLW live blog, and that I see you again here soon. If you’re an AFLW fan, stay tuned for my wrap-up of the round tomorrow!
Updated
Q4 00:45 Collingwood 6.5 (41) v Western Bulldogs 7.7 (49)
Drama, drama. Bernadi earns a shot on goal inside 40m, directly in front, but ill-discipline from her teammates means Hannah Scott takes the reversed free-kick. That’ll cost them a shot at the win...
Q4 01:41 Collingwood 6.5 (41) v Western Bulldogs 7.7 (49)
What an athlete Conti is, clears the ball from defence and is the first in the forward line. Will be a serious star for the Dogs.
Like this tweet from Richard Hinds - Molloy is one of the very few women young enough to have come through uninterrupted football pathways from childhood. Inspiring view of the future.
Late goal Bernadi makes things interesting - just eight points!
Chloe Molloy is already my favourite Collingwood player. Indicative of the cradle-to-AFLW talent yet to come.#AFLWPiesDogs
— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) March 4, 2018
Updated
Q4 03:55 Collingwood 5.5 (35) v Western Bulldogs 7.7 (49)
Molly has been switched forward and finds herself all on her own. She splits the middle. What a player. Think the Pies could have pushed her forward earlier - that’s where she played for Diamond Creek before being drafted, so she’s very comfortable there (and tied with Katie Brennan for most goals in the VFL!) Runs back to defence, which is an odd one.
Speaking of Molloy she’s back in the forward line but misses the snap. Surely needs to be pushed forward more.
Updated
Q4 ?* Collingwood 4.4 (28) v Western Bulldogs 7.7 (49)
Careful build-up from the Dogs after a congested start to the quarter. Booming entry into 50 finds Lochland after she puts a burst of speed on McIntosh. She’s full of confidence, her shot is touched but Nicole Callinan judges it well off the pack and boots a goal. That should be the game for the Dogs.
*time clock is frozen!
Q4 10:19 Collingwood 4.4 (28) v Western Bulldogs 6.7 (43)
Barden has the chance to put more pressure on the Dogs, but she misses narrowly. Blackburn takes the kick-out, adding to the impression that she’s been literally everywhere today. Brilliant game from her, has led admirably in Brennan’s absence. Get the impression she’s grown into the captaincy.
Q4 13:01* Collingwood 4.3 (27) v Western Bulldogs 6.7 (43)
Jasmine Garner looks good in defence - then again she’s good anywhere on the ground. She also takes 50m (the fourth of the game) as her opponent steps over the mark. She bombs it long and King manages a snap - but it’s to the right. Emma King has had 30 hit-outs today, and the Pies 25 to the Doggies’ 10, but the Dogs have sharked most of those.
*clock is counting down in the final quarter.
Updated
Three-quarter-time Collingwood 4.2 (26) v Western Bulldogs 6.7 (43)
This game is set for a great finish, Dogs have led throughout and should probably be further in front given the number of inside 50s (27-10!) they’ve generated, while they’re also on top with contested possessions (81-56) but the Pies just won’t go away. The intensity/ferocity hasn’t let up either, with both sides giving everything to the contest.
Updated
Q3 00:30 Collingwood 4.2 (26) v Western Bulldogs 6.7 (43)
Commentators persisting in using “the lasso” for the last-touch free-kick. Honestly not sure who came up with that signal, but surely there was a better one.
Mo Hope with a banana inside the 50 gets the crowd up and going, but it’s off target. Not much time left, but Pies are pressing.
Q3 02:57 Collingwood 4.1 (25) v Western Bulldogs 6.6 (42)
Good to see Gogos back on the ground, who must be OK as far as the shoulder goes. Dogs exhibit some really nice passing to go end-to-end, before Lochland is wrapped up by Molloy. Plenty of congestion in the Dogs’ forward line, Kearney is hit high but the umpire misses it, and Collingwood take a free. Fans not happy.
Looks like a beautiful day in Moe.
Ooooo yasasss @BulldogsW nice goal ❤️⚪️💙 #AFLWPiesDogs pic.twitter.com/VnSJdoZ2Wr
— Erin Bennett (@ErinBennett19) March 4, 2018
Q3 06:25 Collingwood 4.1 (25) v Western Bulldogs 6.6 (42)
Blackburn didn’t have to wait long to get one back, Molloy tries to find Jess Duffin deep in defence, and Toogood swoops in to spoil, before finding Blackburn in the goalsquare. She looks exhausted, the Dogs’ captain, and has had 13 disposals, nine kicks, four handballs, a mark and a goal.
Updated
Q3 07:25 Collingwood 4.1 (25) v Western Bulldogs 5.6 (36)
Really clever play by Conti, who shows some of her basketball skills with a smooth pick-up off the ground and then shows poise to find Blackburn with a cute pass. She’s on an angle in the 50, is pushed as she kicks it and earns a free. It’s a tough angle, and she misses everything.
Updated
Q3 03:30 Collingwood 4.1 (25) v Western Bulldogs 5.6 (36)
Caitlyn Edwards hits back with her second for the Pies. Dogs continue to look dominant, but the Pies just won’t go away. Nice and high-scoring, attacking start to the quarter, just as the game began.
Q3 00:50 Collingwood 3.0 (18) v Western Bulldogs 5.6 (36)
Perfect start for the Dogs, Kearney bursts through the middle with a penetrating kick and finds Lochland for her second goal. Amazing to think Lochland hardly hit the scoreboard last season, and is now on top of the goalkicking after the seven-goal effort last week. Just heard that she had “D”, “K” and “I” on her hand last week to recognise her injured teammates in Daria Bannister, Katie Brennan and Isabel Huntington.
Updated
Other results this round
In case you’re wondering about the other results from this round, Adelaide were victorious over Carlton, 55-20 at Norwood Oval on Saturday night in a seriously impressive performance given Erin Phillips barely played (and was taken off at half-time with a small recurrence of her right quad injury – watch this space for how serious that one is).
Earlier on Saturday, the GWS Giants continued their much-improved form against the Dockers, winning 39-21 in Perth. Courtney Gum was dominant again with 16 disposals, while they had six individual goal-scorers in an impressive team performance.
On Friday night, meanwhile, the Demons triumphed by a goal over grand final aspirants the Lions, to make the lead-up to the grand final very interesting indeed. Don’t forget that there is no finals series per se; the top two sides automatically qualify for the grand final, meaning percentage is all-important, while the draw between the Crows and Giants last week could prove a critical blow for both.
At the moment the ladder sees the Bulldogs on top (win or lose today), followed by Brisbane on 12 points (121.9%) and Melbourne (12 points, 102.7%). Then we have: GWS (10 points, 102.7%), Adelaide (10 points, 98.8%), Fremantle (eight points, 80.4%), Carlton (8 points, 50.5%) and Collingwood (four points, 100%).
I’d say it’s a three-team race between Bulldogs, Brisbane and Melbourne, but don’t rule out GWS/Adelaide. Exciting season.
Of course I’ll write about all this and more in my weekly AFLW column, which will be up tomorrow!
Updated
This is really the story so far, Dogs dominant but inefficient up forward, Collingwood well in the game given their own ability to capitalise on forward entries.
Magpies have been incredibly efficient in their forward 50 with 3 goals from 4 entries at Half Time. Bulldogs have managed 4 goals from 22 entries. #AFLWPiesDogs
— all aboard 💚 (@mobbybaniac_) March 4, 2018
Some excellent footage has emerged of that Emma Kearney/Britt Bonnici exchange, including a little cameo by Sarah Olle.
Love the "I'm not getting paid enough for this" reaction from @sarahjolle after she is almost collected in a scuffle. 😂😂 #AFLWPiesDogs pic.twitter.com/Ap2zczImca
— Girls Play Footy (@GirlsPlayFooty) March 4, 2018
Updated
Half-time Collingwood 3.0 (18) v Western Bulldogs 4.6 (30)
Well, that ends a seriously fiery half, with two reports and three 50m penalties. No love lost between these clubs, it seems! This is a very important game for the Bulldogs in particular, who can put a game’s gap between themselves and Brisbane and Melbourne (second and third on the ladder).
Ellie Blackburn on TV: “we’re trying to be respectful as we can to them and try not to get caught up with what they’re trying to do to us”. Burn!
Updated
Q2 01:00 Collingwood 3.0 (18) v Western Bulldogs 4.6 (30)
We just had potentially our first full-blown AFLW melee - Emma Kearney gets dragged over the boundary line by Bonnici with a rough tackle which ends in Kearney falling through some of the commentary team’s chairs on the boundary line. Kearney isn’t pleased, and pushes Bonnici back, before a melee ensues followed by a 50m penalty to the Dogs.
Conti manages another point for the Dogs, but still can’t get that elusive first goal.
Updated
Q2 03:20 Collingwood 3.0 (18) v Western Bulldogs 4.4 (28)
The Dogs will be disappointed with this quarter - the Pies have managed several goals against the run of play, with the Bulldogs dominating the inside 50 count.
Looks like Gogos may have injured her shoulder in a tackle - looks in a fair bit of pain as she leaves the ground.
Q2 05:50 Collingwood 3.0 (18) v Western Bulldogs 4.4 (28)
Ouch, Libby Birch collects Mo hope with a wayward spoil. It’s a fist straight to the head, and she gets reported after Chiocci was reported for a head-high tackle on her. This is a very physical game. , and now Amelia Barden kicks the Pies’ third goal with a floater. Back to 10 points after three inside 50s for three goals. Much more efficient than the Dogs!
Q2 07:50 Collingwood 2.0 (12) v Western Bulldogs 4.4 (28)
What a couple of marks there from the Dogs. Brooke Lochland takes a one-hander with strength, and then passes off to Conti who takes a contested overhead grab for a shot on goal, but it’s wide and out of bounds on the full. Still, Groves’ choice to play Conti up forward looks a good one.
Brooke Lochland takes a one-hander! #AFLW #AFLWPiesDogs pic.twitter.com/E204vwX7IW
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 4, 2018
Updated
Q2 09:07 Collingwood 2.0 (12) v Western Bulldogs 4.4 (28)
Bonnici has now been shifted off Kearney to Blackburn, who has seven disposals already and looks ominous. Libby Birch has reappeared with a massive bandage on her head.
This is a hard, tough, contested game. Lots of big hits and ferocious tackles. Speaking of, tough-nut Emma Kearney nominates for the ruck, doesn’t go up, then wins a high free as the ball bounces into her arms. She thumps one long and guess who – Brooke Lochland – soccers one through cleverly as she stays down.
Updated
Q2 11:50 Collingwood 2.0 (12) v Western Bulldogs 3.4 (22)
Chloe Molloy with a don’t argue through the midfield sets the Pies up for another foray forward. She’s seriously impressive, Molloy. I know some have questioned why the Bulldogs took Izzy Huntington ahead of her, but I think Huntington will be equally as good if not better if she can get her knees right...
Free-kick inside 50 goes to Caitlyn Edwards, who makes no mistake.
Q2 13:20 Collingwood 1.0 (6) v Western Bulldogs 3.4 (22)
Brittany Bonnici is running with Emma Kearney - looks like a heavy tag, but I’ll back Kearney in to break it. Jaimee Lambert, who was very busy last week, has been fairly quiet against her old side.
And yes, if you’re wondering, Toogood is not a made-up name, Bonnie Toogood just happens to have the best surname in the AFLW.
Toogood? That just seems like bragging... #AFLWPiesDogs
— Bradley (@BradSabbath) March 4, 2018
Quarter-time Collingwood 1.0 (6) v Western Bulldogs 3.4 (22)
Great quarter by the Bulldogs who deserve the advantage on the scoreboard, with their wonderful form showing no sign of abating. Brooke Lochland is being well-held by Cecilia McIntosh after her record-breaking seven goals last week, but this is an impressive team performance. The Dogs have had 11 inside 50s to one!
Leading disposals: Ellie Blackburn, Aasta O’Connor and Jasmine Garner have five each.
Updated
Q1 01:32 Collingwood 1.0 (6) v Western Bulldogs 3.3 (21)
Aasta O’Connor with a booming shot at goal splits the middle from 45m out, and it’s another for the Dogs! Poor discipline from Collingwood, Lauren Tesoriero gives away the 50m for not returning the ball on the full, and pays the ultimate price.
Q1 02:30 Collingwood 1.0 (6) v Western Bulldogs 2.3 (15)
Clever centring kick by Utri hits up Jenna Bruton in the 50. Loving Utri’s game so far, has to be one of the Doggies’ best finds for the year. Bruton misses to the right, and another young star of the game Chloe Molloy takes the kick-out.
Q1 04:10 Collingwood 1.0 (6) v Western Bulldogs 2.2 (14)
Dogs peppering the goals but just the point to show for it so far. Emma Kearney almost makes the distance from 45m out, but it’s marked on the last line. Interesting news this week that North Melbourne (who will enter the competition in 2019) are circling the Bulldogs star, offering her the captaincy and also potentially more money (the exact nature of pay deals hasn’t been worked out for next season, but one idea being floated is that each time will have a salary of around $200,000 to spend as they will – possibly with a minimum and maximum pay rate specified).
Meanwhile Monique Conti – another skilled dual-athlete (she’s also a Melbourne Boomer) – lines up for goal from a tight angle, but it’s touched over the line by Utri, who can’t complete the mark.
Q1 06:50 Collingwood 1.0 (6) v Western Bulldogs 2.0 (12)
Six inside 50 entries to the Bulldogs to the one so far for the Pies. Dogs probably deserve a bigger lead, but this is a fairly high-scoring start in the context of the AFLW’s infamous memo.
Q1 09:30 Collingwood 1.0 (6) v Western Bulldogs 2.0 (12)
Last round’s rising star in Utri fires through another for the Dogs! Great steal off Jazzy Garner who is also in an unfamiliar position with the Pies, playing down back. Utri is an excellent hockey player - has only played a year of footy, like so many of these AFLW women. Incredible skill for such a small time in the game.
Aisling Utri snaps it truly 👌 #AFLWPiesDogs #AFLW pic.twitter.com/Vo5iVjcNyN
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 4, 2018
Updated
Q1 11:20 Collingwood 1.0 (6) v Western Bulldogs 1.0 (6)
Mo Hope with some nimble footwork evades her opponent and finds Meg Hutchins on the lead 40m out, but it’s a 50m penalty which takes her right up to the goal-line. Not clear what for! Hutchins moving forward has been an experiment for the Pies, which seems to be working so far, and she nails the goal.
Wait what was that 50m penalty for? A Collingwood player was also running through the restricted zone #AFLWPiesDogs
— Michael G. 🔴⚪🔵 (@mickeyg4) March 4, 2018
Updated
Q1 13:50 Collingwood 0.0 (0) v Western Bulldogs 1.0 (6)
Doggies hit the scoreboard first thanks to a brilliant burst of speed through the middle from stand-in captain Ellie Blackburn. A lovely long kick into the forward-line finds Bonnie Toogood who dribbles the ball through the goals. Cecilia McIntosh dives desperately but can’t get a finger on it.
Updated
Q1 13:50 Collingwood 0.0 (0) v Western Bulldogs 0.0 (0)
Libby Birch gets a massive head knock from Collingwood captain Steph Chiocci in a fiery start to this game. Looked pretty nasty, and Chiocci has been reported. Chiocci has a history with the club, after she captained the Western Bulldogs for several years during ‘exhibition match’ period for women’s football (prior to the establishment of AFLW).
Birch thankfully runs off the ground after Bulldogs’ ruckman Tiarna Ernst (also a doctor!) signalled frantically for the doctors.
Quite the controversial banner from the Collingwood cheersquad, referencing the ongoing tension between much-loved women’s football legend and ex-vice Bulldogs President Susan Alberti and club president Peter Gordon.
🔥🔥🔥#AFLWPiesDogs pic.twitter.com/J85YnHI9Bf
— Brayden Cocks (@brayden_cocks) March 4, 2018
Look for an improved Collingwood this week after they were fired up in Alice Springs against Melbourne, pulling off an upset win after a week of criticism directed at coach Wayne Siekman (namely, controversially, from former player Kate Sheahan, who is now Richmond’s head of women’s football).
The Dogs meanwhile were on fire last week, posting a record-winning margin of 73 points against Carlton in the inaugural AFLW pride game (I was there, and have to say, the atmosphere was incredible, if surreal).
You can read all about last week in my summary column of last round:
We’re all set for a classic day of country footy in Moe (which is in the Gippsland region of the LaTrobe Valley in Victoria, for those who don’t know!) Looks like a decent crowd is building, even if there aren’t any seats...
Country footy 😎 #AFLW #AFLWPiesDogs pic.twitter.com/q7d4Ks2aMJ
— Tim (@TimothyJ_23) March 4, 2018
Looks like some have travelled a fair way for this one. In Victoria, patrons take a V-Line to Traralgon and then get a bus to Moe.
I think I'll win the longest #AFLWPiesDogs matchday journey to #Moe. Started in Perth 🕑 now I'm near... pic.twitter.com/FQbdXMys81
— Kim Encel (@KimEncel) March 3, 2018
Updated
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to Sunday’s AFLW blog where I’ll be giving you live updates from the Collingwood v Western Bulldogs clash in Moe (yes, you read that right, Moe!)
I’ll also update you on all the other results from this critical round as we go.
Back shortly.
