AFLW 2018 - Round 1 v Freo

[bornadog]

Outstanding first half. Katie Brennan is a star

Just need to get the ball in her hands

[bornadog]

Western Bulldogs 7.7 (49) def Fremantle 3.5 (23)

Great start to the season with a great win. Top of the ladder.

[Eastdog]

Go Dogs!

Hopefully we get a run of wins now as we won our first AFLW game last year but after that it wasn't too good.

[SlimPickens]

Fun afternoon. Club should be commended for how well they do the day. My kids loved it.

[Eastdog]

Looked like a decent crowd there today from the news report I just saw before.

[Happy Days]

That was pretty excellent - the skills have improved leaps and bounds.

Blackburn in particular has a beautiful kick. The 40m pass to the player running back to goal (which they unfortunately dropped) was as good as you'll see.

Pearce *might* be the better player, but no one in the AFLW is better to watch than Brennan.

[jazzadogs]

I'm an eastern suburbs boy who never got to an AFL game at Whitten Oval, but nothing beats it.

My observations:
- our short 15m kicks were exceptional. I haven't watched every game of AFLW but I'd be surprised if any other sides have been able to keep possession and work the ball by foot so well. Some of the ladies do struggle with disposal under pressure so having that extra time makes a big difference
- our release handball out the back and positioning to allow it was fantastic.
- pressure pressure pressure. Dropped off a bit in the second half, I assume because of a lack of fitness and the fact it was the first game.
- KB is a star. Her set shots would have been missed by 80% of our men's team, and her lead up work was fantastic. Loved seeing her go in the middle at the start of the fourth after Freo got on top in the third. A great leader and role model.
- Ellie Blackburn is my favourite player. Her ferocity combined with her speed and skill level make for a very dangerous player. 20+ touches, a bunch of tackles and a brilliant long goal had her as my BOG.
- Conti, Issy and Toogood stood out to me from the new players - Toogood with a ripping contested mark on the wing and a goal a minute later!
- Tiarna Ernst (i think thats who it was) has some serious toe on her for someone of her height. Two big sprints into the defensive 50.
- Susan Alberti sitting in the Whitten Stand with the fans (as were Daisy Pearce and Mel Hickey) is further evidence of her humility. What a brilliant woman.

KB makes a massive difference to our side but I think our midfield has been strengthened and our skills have certainly improved. The next two weeks will be interesting against last year's grand finalists.

Also the Two Birds Trailblazer beer was a delight ����

[ledge]

Huge improvement on last year, passing hitting targets, marking and you could see a game plan.
I was surprised how much improvement in a lot of games, sadly I think the first game Friday night was the worst skill wise and both them sides will struggle.
One thing I did notice is the kicking actions vary incredibly and some are very bad, this would be something I would have thought they would have ironed out in training.
The naturals have the proper kicking styles and distance.
Love the game love the atmosphere and love seeing them improve.
I'm not getting carried away just yet as I don't think freo are a good team but if they happen to be we are going to be unbeatable.
Next week be a good test. Go dogs !

[SlimPickens]

Could really note the improvement in game style. The over reliance on handball last year was ridiculous, quick ball movement by foot opened the game up for us and we hit the scoreboard accordingly. Good win.

[Daughter of the West]

Lots of good things said about Huntington and Conti, not bad for first gamers. The commentary team mentioned their composure, which is not something easily taught. Excellent early signs for the pups.

I only caught the last quarter on a smart phone, but I thought we looked far less scrappy than some of the other AFLW quarters I caught this weekend.

And KB is just an out and out star, may she stay fit and healthy!

[Twodogs]

Apart from the Bont KB may be the best player running around in R W & B this year.

[bornadog]

Apart from the Bont KB may be the best player running around in R W & B this year.

She really has some presence on the field

[Twodogs]

She really has some presence on the field

She does. She talks other players listen, we are very lucky that she plays for us. It was a tragedy she missed most of last season.

[SonofScray]

Groves game plan can pretty much just be "kick it to KB & get out of her way."

[Twodogs]

Groves game plan can pretty much just be "kick it to KB & get out of her way."

The Brennan's paddock game plan.