The AFLW Grand Final Thread

[bornadog]

NOTE GAME STARTS AT 12.35pm

Match Information

AFLW Grand Final | Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions
IKON Park, Royal Parade, Carlton North VIC 3054 (https://www.google.com/maps?ll=-37.78541,144.96136&z=15&t=m&hl=en-US&gl=AU&mapclient=embed&cid=17436689860540143201)
12:35pm (AEDT), Saturday 24 March 2018
FREE entry

Gates Open:
AFLW Members: 11:00am – 11:30am, Priority Access Period

General Public: 11:30am

Exclusive AFLW Member Prioirity Access

AFLW members of the competing teams will have priority access to the venue for 30 minutes prior to the general public, from 11am–11.30am AEDT.

Entry will be at all gates upon presentation of AFLW membership cards via a dedicated queue at each gate during the priority period. After this time, all queues will be open for the public/non-members to access the venue.
General Public Match Access

Entry to the AFLW Grand Final is FREE, with gates opening for members of the general public opening at 11:30am.

To gain access to the exclusive AFLW Member Priority Access Period to IKON Park, become a Western Bulldogs women’s member today. Adult memberships cost $50 and include a picnic blanket, and junior memberships cost $25. Visit membership.westernbulldogs.com.au or call 1300 46 36 47.

Broadcast Information
The match will be broadcast live by the Seven Network, with coverage starting at midday, and radio coverage will be available via 3AW, Triple M and ABC

The match will also be streamed live via afl.com.au (http://afl.com.au/), the AFLW app and the AFL Live app.
Getting There

Car

There is limited on street car parking available around Princes Park. Free 2 hr and meter parking in surrounding areas, please check street signage.

Melbourne Zoo Parking: $2 for 5 hours. Managed by Zoo staff, monitored by city of Melbourne parking officers.

Public Transport
Public transport is the quickest and easiest way to get to and from the game. Trains, trams and buses operate frequently, dropping you right at the door.

Tram
No. 19 Tram (City-North Coburg) runs from the city to Royal Parade Walker St / Stop 16, then 3 minutes walk to Ikon Park.

Train
Take the Upfield Line to Royal Park Station, then 13 minutes walk to Ikon Park.

Bus
Route 123 Bus to Walker St / Stop 16, then 3 minutes walk from Ikon Park.

[bornadog]

Stinks this, should be at VU Whitten Oval. Cheats Park is a crap venue.

The AFL really stuffed this up having the GF the same week as round 1 for AFLM, plus the formula 1 is on, and lots of fans travelling to Canberra. GF should have been this week at Etihad.

Oh well, will be great if we can pull this off, another trophy in the cabinet in the past 4 years. 2014 and 2016 VFL, 2016 AFL and hopefully 2018 Women's , with the season to play out for the men.

[Twodogs]

*!*!*!*! 'em. Just tell us where and when and we will turn up and kick arse.


The AFL must be bleeding buckets of blood that we made the GF. They will be sitting there now trying to work out the rule changes to stop us next season.

[Happy Days]

Crows have their hands full against the Pies - I'd really rather not play them if we didn't have to.

[bornadog]

Crows have their hands full against the Pies - I'd really rather not play them if we didn't have to.

Yeah, I prefer Brissi

[Twodogs]

I could get used to this 'straight through to the grand final, then sit back and watch the opposition get bashed about' business. It's about as enjoyable as footy gets.

We've been making it all so unnecessarily hard for ourselves all these years!

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Looks like the crows are done. Was going to prefer the crows if only for the fact they would have a day less preparation. But what the hell.. our girls could take on and smash anyone in the Granny.

[Bulldog4life]

Stinks this, should be at VU Whitten Oval. Cheats Park is a crap venue.

The AFL really stuffed this up having the GF the same week as round 1 for AFLM, plus the formula 1 is on, and lots of fans travelling to Canberra. GF should have been this week at Etihad.

Oh well, will be great if we can pull this off, another trophy in the cabinet in the past 4 years. 2014 and 2016 VFL, 2016 AFL and hopefully 2018 Women's , with the season to play out for the men.

I like this very much.:)

[Twodogs]

Stinks this, should be at VU Whitten Oval. Cheats Park is a crap venue.

The AFL really stuffed this up having the GF the same week as round 1 for AFLM, plus the formula 1 is on, and lots of fans travelling to Canberra. GF should have been this week at Etihad.

Oh well, will be great if we can pull this off, another trophy in the cabinet in the past 4 years. 2014 and 2016 VFL, 2016 AFL and hopefully 2018 Women's , with the season to play out for the men.

You were expecting the AFL to play fair? They are still massively annoyed at us for almost pinching Hurley a couple of years ago.

[Twodogs]

I like this very much.:)

I always knew we'd come good.

[bornadog]

Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions next Saturday (March 24) at Princes Park. Game starts at 12.35pm AEDT. Entry is free but AFLW members of competing teams get priority access for 30 minutes prior to general public from 11.00am.

[Axe Man]

Star Bulldog Katie Brennan is in danger of missing the AFLW Grand Final through suspension (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/katie-brennan-will-be-looked-at-closely-by-match-review-officer-michael-christian-for-a-tackle/news-story/5fcb84eee9aec2283ce4a15efe50502e)

KATIE Brennan will thrive on the rare pressure of captaining her side in a grand final, Western Bulldogs coach Paul Groves says — that is, if she is allowed on the field

Brennan played her first game in a month on Saturday night but now faces a nervous wait to see if the AFL’s match review officer Michael Christian cites her for a sling tackle on Demon Harriet Cordner in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s gutsy win over the Demons.

Brennan flung Cordner to the ground and appeared to have one arm loosely pinned at the start of the tackle before the Melbourne defender’s head appeared to hit the ground. Cordner was visibly affected by the tackle and given a free kick.

Brennan was reprimanded for rough conduct in Round 1 and another reprimand would mean a suspension and missing Saturday’s grand final.

While Brennan’s injury layoff showed on the pitch on Saturday night, Groves said the hitout was a crucial first step for the 25-year-old.

Brennan was restricted to a maximum 70 per cent game time on her return from a Round 3 ankle injury, but will be let loose in the decider and play her normal match minutes of up to 95 per cent.

“I think she’s pulled up pretty well, she’s going to clearly be sore, but she got more confident on it (her ankle),” Groves said.

“She was very rusty, mainly because she hasn’t been able to do much training, there were some uncharacteristic drops of marks, which just isn’t her.

“She’s a big game player, so put her in a grand final and she’ll start to take those marks.

“She can only get better from that.

“ … Little things like just keeping Dee Berry on her game … we’re so young down there (forward), she just brings that little bit of stability and leadership and a little bit more confidence.”

The Dogs have pulled up well from the physical clash with the Demons, with no obvious injury concerns.

The Bulldogs finished seventh in the debut season with just two wins after starting flag favourites.

Groves said the club’s turn around was due to numerous things including a fresh game plan, a skills-first training approach, top-notch recruiting and a talented and open playing list.

“The playing group has been willing to try some new things, they’ve been willing to open up and share about themselves, so we understand what’s going on (with them),” Groves said.

“ … We got rid of a lot of the game sense, all the little games I was doing at training last year we got rid of them and put basic, simple (skills) rotations in for every training session we’ve done this year.

“And a bit of belief and confidence in the girls in those skills have just gone through the roof.

“… Just the game style, I wouldn’t say it’s simpler, but it’s a lot easier for the girls to understand.

“We drafted and recruited so well … not just at the top end, the back end of the draft and our rookie draft.”

[Remi Moses]

Great from the girls, and let’s hope they can keep up the gf winning tradition

[bornadog]

Ridiculous if Katie is reprimanded for a tackle.

[Axe Man]

Ridiculous if Katie is reprimanded for a tackle.

AFL players have been suspended for it. Hopefully a clear medical report for the Melbourne player will help Katie's cause.

[Mantis]

Ridiculous if Katie is reprimanded for a tackle.

She should be fine because although it was a fierce tackle, it was all made in one action rather than the tackle and then sling.

More concerned about her inability to cover the ground...Looked lame at times.

[bornadog]

She should be fine because although it was a fierce tackle, it was all made in one action rather than the tackle and then sling.

More concerned about her inability to cover the ground...Looked lame at times.

I don't think her ankle is 100%

[bornadog]

NOTE, AFL have changed the time to 12.35pm





Match Information


AFLW Grand Final | Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions
IKON Park, Royal Parade, Carlton North VIC 3054
12:35pm (AEDT), Saturday 24 March 2018
FREE entry


Gates Open:
AFLW Members: 11:00am – 11:30am, Priority Access Period


General Public: 11:30am


Exclusive AFLW Member Prioirity Access


AFLW members of the competing teams will have priority access to the venue for 30 minutes prior to the general public, from 11am–11.30am AEDT.


Entry will be at all gates upon presentation of AFLW membership cards via a dedicated queue at each gate during the priority period. After this time, all queues will be open for the public/non-members to access the venue.
General Public Match Access


Entry to the AFLW Grand Final is FREE, with gates opening for members of the general public opening at 11:30am.


To gain access to the exclusive AFLW Member Priority Access Period to IKON Park, become a Western Bulldogs women’s member today. Adult memberships cost $50 and include a picnic blanket, and junior memberships cost $25. Visit membership.westernbulldogs.com.au or call 1300 46 36 47.


Broadcast Information
The match will be broadcast live by the Seven Network, with coverage starting at midday, and radio coverage will be available via 3AW, Triple M and ABC


The match will also be streamed live via afl.com.au, the AFLW app and the AFL Live app.
Getting There


Car


There is limited on street car parking available around Princes Park. Free 2 hr and meter parking in surrounding areas, please check street signage.


Melbourne Zoo Parking: $2 for 5 hours. Managed by Zoo staff, monitored by city of Melbourne parking officers.


Public Transport
Public transport is the quickest and easiest way to get to and from the game. Trains, trams and buses operate frequently, dropping you right at the door.


Tram
No. 19 Tram (City-North Coburg) runs from the city to Royal Parade Walker St / Stop 16, then 3 minutes walk to Ikon Park.


Train
Take the Upfield Line to Royal Park Station, then 13 minutes walk to Ikon Park.


Bus
Route 123 Bus to Walker St / Stop 16, then 3 minutes walk from Ikon Park.

[AndrewP6]

Brennan guilty, can accept one week.

[bornadog]

Brennan not Guilty, can accept one week.

Edited for accuracy

[Testekill]

What an awful decision, there wasn't a slinging motion in the tackle.

And in the same match Cranston just went and elbowed Kearney directly in the back of the neck in what was an obviously deliberate hit.

[Twodogs]

Christensen is already hopelessly compromised and the main season hasn't started. He fell over himself to let the Collingwood player off and then he invents a reason to suspend someone from a grand final. I don't care that he's Gilligan's best mate or whatever. He shouldn't have been appointed, the role is obviously too much for him.

[westdog54]

Christensen is already hopelessly compromised and the main season hasn't started. He fell over himself to let the Collingwood player off and then he invents a reason to suspend someone from a grand final. I don't care that he's Gilligan's best mate or whatever. He shouldn't have been appointed, the role is obviously too much for him.

Please tell me the Honourable Member for Dawson isn't working for the AFL? And that you meant Christian?

[Twodogs]

Please tell me the Honourable Member for Dawson isn't working for the AFL? And that you meant Christian?

Oh Georgie....

[Twodogs]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/gillon-mclachlan-backs-ban-for-katie-brennan-insists-there-was-no-special-treatment-for-trent-cotchin/news-story/a625b3a6aad05df209f660aa9650716b

We believe you Gil. Many people, thousands probably, would think that you are lying through your teeth. But we believe you.

My grandmother would have called you a lying hound but she wasn't a gullible person. She didn't like lyers and I doubt she would have liked you very much.


As I say, we believe you, even tough thousands wouldn't. Millions probably.

[Daughter of the West]

I'm glad we're at least making a challenge:

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/katie-brennan-offered-one-match-ban-could-miss-aflw-grand-final-20180319-p4z53v.html


Dogs set to roll dice at tribunal

Katie Brennan faces a date with the tribunal on Tuesday night with the Western Bulldogs set to challenge the one-match suspension which threatens to cost their captain a place in Saturday’s AFLW grand final.

It’s understood the Dogs have engaged criminal lawyer Sam Norton to advocate on behalf of Brennan after she was rubbed out of the decider against the Brisbane Lions, with match review officer Michael Christian doing what he said was “the right thing” in deeming her sling tackle on Melbourne’s Harriet Cordner to be unreasonable in the circumstances.

[Testekill]

As we bloody well should be doing.

[Bulldog4life]

Cordner hit the ground first with her right arm. Her arms were not pinned. Let us hope common sense prevails.

[bornadog]

She is in Da House

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYtfAXMVoAAkO8E.jpg

[SonofScray]

Furious at this in every aspect. That the report was made in the first place. That we were so poor in Katie's defence. That the judiciary system again fails to deliver a fair verdict in the spirit of the game. It is just fundamentally flawed.

[Bulldog4life]

WA Western Bulldogs Retweeted

Riley Beveridge
‏

@RileyBev
14h14 hours ago
More
.@GerardWhateley spot on regarding KB's suspension: "The same judicial system which sits over the men and the women can't have different outcomes for the same incident." #AFL360

[bornadog]

WA Western Bulldogs Retweeted

Riley Beveridge
‏

@RileyBev
14h14 hours ago
More
.@GerardWhateley spot on regarding KB's suspension: "The same judicial system which sits over the men and the women can't have different outcomes for the same incident." #AFL360

and that is what our counsel should have argued instead of trying to appeal to sentiment.

[Twodogs]

Can you sue you own counsel for incompetence?

[cinder]

Well, she lost the appeal. That's gotta hurt, really feel for her :(

[LostDoggy]

Well, she lost the appeal. That's gotta hurt, really feel for her :(

Shattered for her.

[bornadog]

Final Team



Full back

L Birch

L Spark

N Ferres



Half back

H Scott

T Ernst

N Callinan



Centreline



E Blackburn





Half forward

J Bruton

B Toogood

M Conti



Full forward

A Utri

K McLeod

B Lochland



Followers

A O'Connor

E Kearney

K Lamb



Interchange

A Gogos

K Rennie

B Hunt





H Wildes

D Berry





Emergencies

E Mackie

L Bailey

[bornadog]

McLeod in for Brennan

[SonofScray]

Excited for this one. A big moment for the club and some extra spice in the story. Not much has actually gone right this year, except we kept winning. Would be extremely satisfying to claim the flag given all that has happened and the last few days of controversy.

[bornadog]

Shocking delivery into the forward line, where have I seen that before

[bornadog]

Very wet and slippery out here. Umpires are woeful and boy do I hate the last touch rule.

[G-Mo77]

Very wet and slippery out here. Umpires are woeful and boy do I hate the last touch rule.

Apart from that howler right at the end of half the umps have hardly blew their whistle. I think it's been fine.

[Bulldog4life]

Very wet and slippery out here. Umpires are woeful and boy do I hate the last touch rule.

Been unlucky in the forward line too. Ball just not bouncing for us.

[G-Mo77]

Been unlucky in the forward line too. Ball just not bouncing for us.

It did that quarter. :)

[Remi Moses]

Terrific quarter , got first hands on and didn’t swarm the contest .
Bring it home

[bornadog]

The premiership quarter Now for the killer blow

[choconmientay]

We wonnnnnnnnnn. Congrats girls. Well done.

[choconmientay]

Set the bar really high for the men team to follow.

[Twodogs]

Stick that up your arse Nicole Livingston and the rest of your AFL buddies. I couldn't hate you anymore. Now we are the premiers, how do you like them bikkies?

TRY AND *!*!*!*!ING STOP US! WE ARE THe BULLDOGS AND WE ARE COMING FOR YOU!

[Bulldog4life]

Great win by the girls. Gutsy.

[josie]

Great win by the girls. Gutsy.

Agree-ripper match with lions close to snatching it. Great defence in last passage and v good mark under pressure in wet conditions. Katie statesmen like - what a champion person she is. Love how the team played with pure bulldog grit. Congrats to our Dogesses!!

[Remi Moses]

Terrific result
Well done girls

[Murphy'sLore]

You can't beat the girls of the Bulldog breed!

Love Katie being invited to help raise the cup, too, nice touch.

[ReLoad]

Love it!!!!!!

[Twodogs]

You can't beat the girls of the Bulldog breed!

Love Katie being invited to help raise the cup, too, nice touch.


Had to be done. The point had to be made.

[Eastdog]

Well done to our girls.

Now onto getting the AFL, VFL and VFLW flags!

Go Dogs!

[The Pie Man]

How many games of footy are won by a team that goes goalless in a half of footy? Especially one as imports as this!

Had to listen to the 2nd half on the radio as was on the way to Flemington but seriously pumped for them, congrats ladies.

[Ghost Dog]

Awesome. Well deserved, close win and a good crowd. Another cup to add to the collection! At this rate we are going to run out of space....

[bornadog]

Got absolutelty soaked getting to the ground but loved every minute at the game. Tough conditions in the first half with the rain belting down, but what a great contest in the 2nd half.

We were the best team all year finishing on top one game clear and huge percentage and I feel for Katie not getting a game over the stupidity of the men in suits sitting in ther ivory tower. Her replacement kicked an imporatnt goal in the third.

Congratulations to all the girls, the club and the supporters for showing up every week.

[Eastdog]

How many games of footy are won by a team that goes goalless in a half of footy? Especially one as imports as this!

Had to listen to the 2nd half on the radio as was on the way to Flemington but seriously pumped for them, congrats ladies.

Listened to it on the radio as well more into the final quarter.

Go Dogs!

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Great atmosphere at the ground. Well done to the girls. Great reward for our club and our supporters.
We probably didn't play our best footy for the season but it would have been a long time since any of them had played or trained in the wet conditions.

[The Doctor]

Wonderful result for the girls and for all of us supporters. The best team won despite the AFL. I love it when we stick it up em!!!

[merantau]

Congratulations to all concerned. The players were totally committed to the task - both teams gave it their ALL is a bruising encounter.
Special shout out the "Battering Ram Lamb." She just bored in relentlessly to keep the ball moving our way. Wasn't pretty but it was very effective. Go Dogs!

[Twodogs]

"Battering ram" Lamb is a great nick name.

[LostDoggy]

Absolutely stoked for the girls and loved seeing them celebrate at the end.

I could get used to this winning flags caper!

So many premiership players walking around at the Whitten Oval!

The girls have reset the bar.

[bornadog]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZCDSrIU0AAomtL.jpg

[Happy Days]

I watched today's game at the Railway in Yarraville, where the girls had their post-game celebration on the rooftop deck. Every player who walked in got a fair ovation from the rest of the crowd.

[LostDoggy]

Congratulations to all the girls on their big win. It was certainly very wet conditions in the first half (which Brisbane has endured all season up north!!).

[craigsahibee]

Congratulations to all concerned. The players were totally committed to the task - both teams gave it their ALL is a bruising encounter.
Special shout out the "Battering Ram Lamb." She just bored in relentlessly to keep the ball moving our way. Wasn't pretty but it was very effective. Go Dogs!

Just on Kirsty Lamb, wonder if there will be any action taken by the AFL for that tackle on her in front of the old Hawthorn Stand in either the 3rd or 4th quarter. Definitely looked like a sling tackle. Not holding my breath though.

[bornadog]

Just on Kirsty Lamb, wonder if there will be any action taken by the AFL for that tackle on her in front of the old Hawthorn Stand in either the 3rd or 4th quarter. Definitely looked like a sling tackle. Not holding my breath though.

and no free kick