The Western Bulldogs have enjoyed a perfect home opener in the AFLW season.
The night started with the unfurling of the Bulldogs’ 2018 premiership flag and ended with an 18-point win over expansion side Geelong at Whitten Oval on Saturday.
Bulldogs coach Paul Groves said the Cats were a tough nut to crack, but commended his players for finding a way to win without reaching optimum performance levels.
“Really pleased – you walk away with the four points,” he said.
“They were really good at their structures and their set-ups and we couldn’t get our game sort of flowing.
“We found a way – we defended pretty strong when they had the momentum.”
Trailing by two points at quarter-time, the Western Bulldogs caught fire in the second quarter, banging on three goals to nil with the breeze at their backs.
A sensational snap from Bonnie Toogood sparked the Bulldogs’ run, with Deanna Berry following up with a running goal and Ellie Blackburn slotting a set shot from long range.
Monique Conti was everywhere in the first half, throwing her body around fearlessly, while Lauren Spark continued her brilliant start to the season with stellar defensive work.
It was effort at the coal face by Ellie Blackburn and Kirsty Lamb that steered the Bulldogs across the four quarters.
Blackburn has to play a slightly different role in the Bulldog midfield, though is no less effective than in the premiership year.
“Ellie, if anything, has had to go inside a little bit more and do a bit more of the grunt work,” Groves said.
Lamb has gone up another level this season.
That is saying something when you consider the onballer was top three in the team’s best-and-fairest last season.
“Kirsty probably doesn’t get the recognition she deserves,” Groves said.
“I was a bit surprised she wasn’t in All Australian contention last year. She’s backed that up again.”
Kim Rennie and Celine Moody battled well in the ruck for the Bulldogs, while Aisling McCarthy, an Irishwoman with a Gaelic football background, capped an impressive debut with a goal.
Aisling Utri was among the better players, drawing praise from her coach.
Utri had 14 disposals, six marks and four tackles after kicking the game’s opening goal.
“I thought it was her best game of footy, probably,” Groves said.
The Bulldogs will need to go up a notch when they face top-of-the-ladder North Melbourne in Tasmania on Friday night.
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