Full time: Bulldogs 2.6 (18) to Crows 1.11 (17)
It wasn’t the blockbuster we had been hoping for, but the Bulldogs get over the line – just. A win is a win though, and it’s a good start to the reigning premiers’ title defence. It’s also the first win for the Bulldogs over the Crows, ever.
Adelaide put their muscle into the game in the dying seconds and looked set to grab a fairy-tale win but their kick at goal swung wide. Adelaide may not have won but they proved that they have it in them to control the game, they just need to convert that control into goals. No doubt that will be on their minds all week.
The official crowd is in and 7,830 have attended tonight’s game. Thanks for your company tonight.
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4th quarter, 5:32 remaining: Bulldogs 2.5 (17) to Crows 1.10 (16)
This is a nail-biter! We’re only five minutes until the end and the score has only shifted by one point, a behind to the Bulldogs. They’re now one point in front, and really, one point is all that matters as long as you’re in front. But both teams are getting scrappy and are determined to control that ball.
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Start of 4th quarter: Bulldogs 2.4 (16) to Crows 1.10 (16)
We kick off the final quarter with teams tied at 16 points. This game is truly anyone’s.
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End of 3rd quarter: Bulldogs 2.4 (16) to Crows 1.10 (16)
Both teams have struggled to place a stake in this game. It’s a disappointment, given the anticipation for the 2018 premiers to take on the 2017 premiers. We have one more quarter to go, and we’re hoping for some high energy and strong disposals. It’s important to note that Adelaide, where the game is being played, is still a highly unpleasant 30C, which does make it hard for all players.
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3rd quarter, 2:21 remaining: Bulldogs 2.4 (16) to Crows 1.10 (16)
Like the Pies-Cats game earlier this evening, this is a close contest. Yet another behind to the Crows brings both teams level at 16 points apiece.
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3rd quarter, 5:57 remaining: Bulldogs 2.4 (16) to Crows 1.8 (14)
The Bulldogs starts where they left off in the second quarter, but add a behind, not a goal, this time. There are still a fair few errors slipping through from both sides. Half way through the quarter, Phillips grabs a behind, continuing the Crows goal-drought.
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Start of 3rd quarter: Bulldogs 2.3 (15) to Crows 1.7 (13)
We head into the third quarter without a clear idea of who’s game this really is. The Bulldogs are winning on the scoreboard, although it’s been the Crows that have been extending the most energy on the ground.
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Half time: Bulldogs 2.3 (15) to Crows 1.7 (13)
Goal! And another! A late goal to the Bulldogs brings them back into the game, which is followed quickly by another to Katie Brennan. The Bulldogs finish the quarter two in front and with more than a fighting chance for the second half. Adelaide dominated most of the game but choked at the goal posts five times. That wasn’t much of a problem while the Bulldogs failed to bark but now that Brennan has become the preverbal jaws of life, the Crows will need to use this half-time break and figure out a new plan if they want to nab a win.
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2nd quarter, 3:14 remaining: Bulldogs 0.2 (2) to Crows 1.6 (12)
Adelaide add another point but they’ll be mighty frustrated with making mush of five opportunities at goal in a row.
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2nd quarter, 6:24 remaining: Bulldogs 0.2 (2) to Crows 1.5 (11)
Adelaide are doing good work this quarter but wasting all of their opportunities – five misses at goal means that they’ve added just four to their tally. They’re getting the ball but failing to do anything with it.
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2nd quarter, 9:34 remaining: Bulldogs 0.2 (2) to Crows 1.4 (10)
A fair bit of congested play at the sides, with both teams putting their muscle into clearing a path to their forwards. A beautiful mark from the Crows’ Chelsea Randall adds some colour to this quarter.
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Start of 2nd quarter: Bulldogs 0.2 (2) to Crows 1.1 (7)
Welcome to the second quarter. Adelaide are five points up but neither team has grabbed dominance of the ball yet.
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End of 1st quarter: Bulldogs 0.2 (2) to Crows 1.1 (7)
Goal! Adelaide’s Chloe Scheer saves the quarter by kicking a straight goal in the last minute – her first ever and the first for the Crows this season. Other than that though, it’s been a quiet quarter on the scoreboard, but there has been some gutsy play on the ground. Adelaide sweltered through 37C heat today and it’s still a sticky 34C right now – not a great environment for a game of footy.
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1st quarter, 3:01 remaining: Bulldogs 0.2 (2) to Crows 0.0 (0)
Adelaide’s Erin Phillips almost grabs a behind with an incredible twisty kick but it bounces back into the play. She’s looking strong and determined, though, and looks like she might do some damage this game.
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1st quarter, 7:32 remaining: Bulldogs 0.2 (2) to Crows 0.0 (0)
Adelaide are putting a lot of pressure on the Bulldogs but they’re not getting the ball into their forward enough. The Bulldogs nick another point.
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1st quarter, 9:35 remaining: Bulldogs 0.1 (1) to Crows 0.0 (0)
The Bulldogs start briskly and put a lot of energy into getting the ball to the forward. They put a quick point on the board.
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Adelaide Crows v Western Bulldogs: Game two of the first round is set to kick off. This time, we have the 2018 premiers – the Bulldogs – taking on the inaugural premiers, the Crows. Despite their success, both teams have had their fair share of lows, too. Adelaide struggled in season two, while the Bulldogs came close to grabbing the wooden spoon in season one.
Adelaide have a strong side to take into season three, including the formidable Erin Phillips, plus co-captain Chelsea Randall, who grabs disposals the way someone with the flu grabs tissues.
Over at the Bulldogs, they’ll be wanting to hang onto their winning streak, and plenty of eyes will be on Isabel Huntington, both for her talent but also on her return, after she tore her ACL last year.
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Full time: Collingwood 3.5 (23) are beaten by Geelong 3.6 (24)
Congratulations to Geelong for winning their first AFLW match! It was a rough, desperate contest for much of the game and even though they started off quietly in the first quarter, they gained their confidence – and the ball – and set themselves up strongly for the rest of the game. Geelong’s defence put on a good show, while it was Collingwood’s forwards that kept them in control for much of the game. But despite a last-minute attempt at goal, the Pies couldn’t bring it home. They’ll be especially disappointed as it means for the third consecutive year, they’ve failed to win their round one match.
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4th quarter, 1:58 remaining: Collingwood 3.5 (23) to Geelong 3.6 (24)
Nina Morrison! The No 1 draft pick has the whole crowd silently biting their nails as she takes a short drop punt for goal but hits the post! Still, that puts the Cats ahead. At this point, every point counts.
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4th quarter, 4:02 remaining: Collingwood 3.5 (23) to Geelong 3.5 (23)
Fatigue has settled in across both sides but there have still been some long kicks. What we’re missing is those strong tackles from Geelong or that forward power from Collingwood.
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4th quarter, 6:02 remaining: Collingwood 3.5 (23) to Geelong 3.5 (23)
Great mark by the Pies but no change to the score. It’s a rather scrappy quarter, with both teams desperate to get the ball to their end of the ground but neither able to do so. Collingwood has a chance at goal, or a point, at the 6:50 mark but neither was taken. We’re still tied at 23 points each.
Tonight’s crowd is a healthy 18,429. It’s not quite the 20,000 that AFL were expecting but that’s a still a great show of loyalty to the Cats for their first AFLW game.
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4th quarter, 12:23 remaining: Collingwood 3.5 (23) to Geelong 3.5 (23)
The scores are now even, with both teams sitting on 23 points. Geelong’s Jordan Ivey goes for goal but has to settle for a point. The crowd, which was getting loud, gets notably quieter.
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4th quarter, 14:10 remaining: Collingwood 3.5 (23) to Geelong 3.4 (22)
The fourth quarter is on and both sides have a win in their sights. There’s just a single point in it.
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End of 3rd quarter: Collingwood 3.5 (23) to Geelong 3.4 (22)
Well, that escalated suddenly. The third quarter was looking to be a bit of a fizzer for both teams, but then Collingwood got on the board in the last few minutes, with Lambert and D’Arcy each kicking a goal. The Cats could only respond with a point.
It’s now a tight contest, with just one point between them.
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Goal! Collingwood 3.5 (23) to Geelong 3.4 (22)
In what may be the funniest goal we’ll see this season, the Pies’ Jamiee Lambert scores her first goal of the game – that she clearly didn’t think would be a goal. She kicks straight but low and it somehow converts itself from its fate as a behind to a goal. Lambert only just came back onto the ground after that ankle scare, so it’s been a big quarter for her.
Collingwood are now back in front by one point. Despite the first goals of the quarter going to Collingwood, there isn’t the dominance from either team that we saw in the first two quarters.
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3rd quarter, 9:52 remaining: Collingwood 2.4 (16) to Geelong 3.2 (20)
We have a case of deja vu, as Collingwood kick off the third quarter with a goal, just as they did in the first. Does this mean that Geelong will go quiet this quarter but then end the fourth quarter on a high? Another injury, this time to Collingwood’s Jaimee Lambert, who has a problem with her leg. She hobbles off the ground to the sidelines. Reports coming in that it’s her right ankle.
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Goal! Collingwood 2.4 (16) to Geelong 3.2 (20)
Collingwood seem to have recovered their mojo, with Sarah D’Arcy taking a clear shot for goal and nailing it. Just a few seconds in and Geelong’s Sophie Alexander is on the ground, with a possible concussion. Medics are on the scene and play is delayed for six minutes. Lauren Butler comes on to replace D’Arcy, who is taken off the ground on a stretcher to the cheers and respect of the crowd.
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3rd quarter, 14:48 remaining: Collingwood 1.3 (9) to Geelong 3.2 (20)
We’ve had two quarters and two shifts of power, with the Pies dominating the first quarter but the Cats taking control in the second quarter. Geelong have clearly settled into the game and that change has in turn shaken up the Pies. Geelong are leading on disposals.
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End of 2nd quarter: Collingwood 1.3 (9) to Geelong 3.2 (20)
Goal, goal, goal! That’s three goals to Geelong, with Maddy Boyd grabbing her second goal within a matter of minutes. The Cats have been rejuvenated this quarter, while the Pies have lost that edge they displayed in the first quarter.
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2nd quarter, 1:28 remaining: Collingwood 1.3 (9) to Geelong 2.2 (14)
Collingwood have been unable to answer Geelong’s back-to-back goals. Also, someone on Twitter has criticised the use of a yellow ball when the sun is still strong. Do they have a point?
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Goal! Collingwood 1.2 (9) to Geelong 2.2 (14)
2nd quarter, 5.11 remaining: Mia-Rae Clifford breaks the score drought this quarter and draws some reward for all the work Geelong has done, as she puts her club in front for the first time.
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2nd quarter, 8:15 remaining: Collingwood 1.2 (9) to Geelong 1.2 (8)
A couple of strong tackles from the Cats have forced the Pies to pause somewhat but the Cats still need to turn that advantage into to re-gaining the ball and controlling the game from their side.
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2nd quarter, 12:59 remaining: Collingwood 1.3 (9) to Geelong 1.2 (8)
Geelong are getting more aggressive with the ball, as they need to gain control from the centre if they’re to get more numbers on the scoreboard.
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2nd quarter: Collingwood 1.3 (9) to Geelong 1.2 (8)
We’re into the second quarter and both teams will be wanting to shake off any nerves and take control of the game. Remember, Collingwood have never won a round one match and Geelong will be wanting to win their first AFLW game, so plenty is on the line tonight.
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End of first quarter: Collingwood 1.3 (9) to Geelong 1.2 (8)
The score may be low, but it doesn’t reflect the excitement of this first quarter. Collingwood have dominated, especially in the 50 metre pocket but Geelong stayed confident and with just over a minute left, rewarded their fans with their first-ever goal for the AFLW.
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Goal! Collingwood 1.2 (9) to Geelong 6.0 (6)
First quarter, 1:24 remaining: Geelong have kicked their first goal in the AFLW and it is met with the purr of approval from the home crowd. Maddie Boyd, a local who grew up only a few minutes away from the Cats’ home ground, makes history with that kick.
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Collingwood 1.1 (8) to Geelong 0.0 (0)
Geelong will be relieved that an attempt at goal from 30 metres for Collingwood only ends in a point.
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Collingwood 01.01 (7) to Geelong 00.00 (0)
Collingwood have set the challenge to Geelong so far, but the Cats look confident and have displayed some impressive play – they just need to control the ball and hold the Pies back.
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GOAL! Collingwood 1.1 (7) to Geelong 0.0 (0)
Jaimee Lambert, who delivered the Pies that first point, takes a fresh mark and kicks strongly to Sophie Alexander and she takes it 49 metres to deliver the game’s first goal!
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First quarter: Collingwood v Geelong
Collingwood won the toss, and as they’ve never won a round one game, they’ll be hoping it brings them some luck.
And we’re off! Lots of energy in the centre although the ball proves slippery to grab. The Pies get the ball to their end and Collingwood make their mark on the scoreboard with a point.
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This game will be an interesting one, as North Melbourne went to town on the Pies’ playing list, recruiting some of the club’s strongest players – Jess Duffin, Jasmine Garner, Emma King and Mo Hope. The Pies will also be without Chloe Molloy, a best and fairest winner, who has been ruled out for the whole season due to injury.
Collingwood haven’t let the loss of some of their stars get them down for too long; they’ve taken on some fresh talent, all aged 20 or under (Jordyn Allen, Katie Lynch, Mikala Cann, Lauren Butler and Georgia Gourlay) and show real promise to help rebuild the team.
Like North, Geelong also took their cues from another club’s existing team – in this case, Melbourne – and they’ve recruited strongly while also bring in a number of local players
Geelong may be the new kids on the block, but they bring with them plenty of success from the VFLW; they played in last year’s grand final.
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Here are the teams who kick off season three
GEELONG
B: A.Teague 40, R.Goring (c) 44, C.Blakeway 4
HB: D.Taylor 28, M.McDonald 11, R.Webster 21
C: R.Garing 12
HF: S.Van De Heuvel 27, M.Boyd 26, N.Morrison 9
F: K.Darby 8, G.Rankin, J.Ivey 5
Foll: A.O’Connor 14, J.Crockett-Grills 6, O.Purcell 16
I/C: D.Orr 2, M.Keryk 45, M.McMahon 24, M.Fogas 13, M.Clifford 7
Emg: G.Rankin 10, R.Caris 1
COLLINGWOOD
B: J.Allen 6, A.Brazill 10, I.Ross 21
HB: S.Livingstone 12, S.Casey 22, E.Grant 5
C: B.Bonnici 8
HF: L.Butler 23 , S.D’Arcy 4, M.Cann 25
F: S.Rowe 7, S.Alexander 24, C.McIntosh 20
Foll: S.Layton 1, S.Chiocci (c), 17, J.Lambert 13
I/C: R.Schleicher 18, G.Gourlay 32, S.Dargan 46, K.Stratton 41, E.Fowler 15
Emg: H.Whitford 28, K.Lynch 16
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The Cats have just run out onto Kardinia Park for the very first time and the crowd are showing their approval. We’ll find out later on crowd numbers but officials are hoping for 20,000 people.
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The new conference-style competition
The AFLW is confident that the new conference-style competition is a sign of innovation, but there are plenty who aren’t convinced. Check out this piece from last year to catch up on what the new style means:
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Preamble
Welcome to the season three of AFLW! New clubs, new players and a new competition style – there’s a lot to look forward to.
This evening, Collingwood and one of the new clubs to join the competition this year, Geelong, have the honour of getting the season underway, on their home turf and in front of strong local support.
The first games of seasons one and two have been previously contested between Collingwood and Carlton, but the AFL have decided to mix things up this season – and that’s not the only change.
Season three has already got off to a controversial start, thanks to the AFLW’s decision to convert to two conference-style rounds. There will also be three cross-conference games played; with two new clubs this year, it essentially means that less rounds will be played and finals will be condensed into two weeks.
Later tonight, game two – between the Crows and reigning premiers the Bulldogs – starts at 8.40pm AEDT, at Norwood Oval in South Australia. More on that later.
In the meantime, feel free to shoot me an email on alana.schetzer.freelance@theguardian.com or tweet your thoughts to @schetzer.
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