AFLW Round 3 – Adelaide v Western Bulldogs: The best AFLW game so far

Adelaide v Western Bulldogs
1:35 pm, Saturday, 17 February 2018
Norwood Oval, Adelaide

 

In both women’s and men’s 2018 footy seasons, I am more likely to be at work or at footy training while my Bulldog girls and Saint boys are playing.

 

Luckily my work roster on the game days allows me to watch the replay just hours after the final siren. I check the result straight after work. But it doesn’t stop watching all the action.

 

Fox Footy commentators describe both clubs as under pressure for today’s game – no wins in the 2018 for the reigning Premiers Adelaide and injuries for the visiting Bulldogs.

 

Despite losing two young players due to injuries, Bulldogs bite and roar in the first minute. Great ball handling by Blackburn, Lochland, Conti and O’Conner. One of best players, Kearney finishes her job. Quick goal!

 

Doggies are playing attacking footy with turn over and handballing.

 

But Perkins is playing hard, taking a mark and the top Crow, Phillips has a chance. But her left kick doesn’t score a goal.

 

Her opponent Captain Brennan makes a mistake kicking towards Phillips. Even Lochland kicks to the opposition.

 

But a puppy Utri knows how to kick longer from her hockey background. It’s Doggies’ second goal.

 

Adelaide defense is under the siege. But Phillips is taking the challenge to overcome the issues occurring in her team. Finally Phillips answers with a much needed goal for the Crows.

 

In the second quarter, Dogs put great pressures on Crows. We have turnovers.

 

But fumbles and mistakes are made by the Bulldogs. On the other hand, tackles with great efforts including Blackburn tackling Thompson are done.

 

Finally, the skipper Brennan breaks her silence and takes a great mark in the goal square. She kicks a goal with the right angle.

 

Commentators describe Katie as the superstar in the competition. I agree with them.

 

However her Crow counterpart is shining more. She is encouraged to take a contested mark and goes down onto the field. Phillips kicks a goal beautifully from the left angle.

 

“Phillips is AFLW of Dustin Martin”, comments Leigh Montagna. Yes, she is everywhere.

 

Turn overs, marking or coast to coast is not leading into further goals in the second quarter for the Dogs. Adelaide’s pressure produces turn overs and the Bulldog Scott contributes more in the back line in the second quarter.

 

Bulldogs lead by five points at the main break.

 

After the long break, Bulldogs continue putting on a lot of pressure but the ex Adelaide United soccer player and first year Crow, McCormick takes a mark and scores a goal from 50 metres out.

 

Crows are in front for the first time in the afternoon.

 

Then the time to put the in the hard work comes for Lochland. The 26-year-old former ice skater kicks a goal from the left angle, and snarls after seeing the footy has been through main goal posts. And the top Dog gets another opportunity. Blackburn kicks and Conti takes a mark and kicks. Brennan takes a mark and does her job again from the left angle.

 

Her scoring goals makes Bulldog supporters happy.

 

But Phillips is in the spotlight again. Her easy soccer style goal is her third one. As an ex basketball player, she keeps the opponent out and kicks a goal.

 

Meanwhile Hannah Scott’s outstanding performances are continued. Her attitudes are described like what old Nick Riewoldt did. Wonderful!

 

Bulldogs lead by five points at the last break.

 

Like in the old Fitzroy Lions song, it is do or die quarter for the home side.

 

Peter Gordon and Ameet Bains are at the game.

 

Ernst tackles Wallace and the Crow is awarded a free kick. But her kick brings no point. Later, the Erin show comes back. Phillips is good at getting the footy and just finishes the job to put her team in front.

 

Brennan and Blackburn have a good partnership on the field, but the latter’s long kick brings no point. Kearney misses a chance to score a goal. Scores are level. Hot conditions with 30 degrees tires the players and “every position is difficult” the commentators say.

 

This close game is said to be  “The best AFLW game to see.” Agreed.

 

Brennan leaves the field as injures her leg at the nearly end. I hope she is okay. Only 45 seconds left, Dogs need to go forward. But Killian’s scoring behind is the decider of the game. After the siren, McCormick’s second goal extends the winning margin to seven.

 

Dogs lose, but I admire what my girls are doing. I hope my mistakes at work today didn’t bring my team the same bad luck at the Norwood Oval.

 

At my work, “challenge shall bring (bright) future” is a slogan of our partnership with Kyoto Marathon competition.

 

The Bulldogs’ great efforts will bring them a flag, I believe. But please do before St Kilda enter AFLW in 2020.

 

For me, the challenge is under way for me starting to play footy. And I want to take another challenge in my profession. I want something different – writing and translating to utilise my skills. It’s time to move on, I think.

 

Once again, well done Bulldog girls!

 

ADELAIDE 1.1 2.2 4.4 6.5 (41)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.1 3.1 5.3 5.4 (34)

GOALS
Adelaide: Phillips 4, McCormack 2
Western Bulldogs: Brennan 2, Kearney, Utri, Lochland

BEST
Adelaide: Phillips, Randall, Marinoff, Perkins, S Allan, Metcalfe
Western Bulldogs: Blackburn, Kearney, Utri, Conti, Lochland, Brennan

OUR VOTES
3. Phillips (ADE); 2. Conti (WBU); 1. Blackburn (WBU)

Umpires: Matthew Young, Jamie Broadbent, David Newell

Official crowd: 4,900

 

About Yoshihiro Imagawa

Love, passion and pride are seen on the footy that is the biggest part of my life. 1. St Kilda Club member: I am a passionate and crazy Sainter. Just hope we will win the second flag soon, especially after Dogs and Tigers having ended long premiership draughts. 2. The Osaka Dingoes Player and Public Relations Officer: Player number 44 that I chose to honour Stephen Milne with my wish being like a small forward like him. Lenny Hayes' hardworking attitudes are adopted on my trainings and practices. Nick Riewoldt's great plays are in my player audiobook too. 3. Writing: Here on the Almanac and also on the World Footy News. My skills utilise on great footy websites.

Comments

  1. Yvette Wroby says

    Dusty Martin could be the Erin Philips of the AFL! What she has done in 1 year of footy is astounding. Thanks for your report Yoshi.

  2. We must not forget,Erin Phillips played junior footy growing up,Erin learnt the basics and yes while she is a complete natural sports woman and a superstar she is in so many ways in front of the other participants she instinctively turns and protects herself unlike the majority that will come in time
    Yoshi I worked at the game beforehand but unfortunately had to leave to do other work so have only seen the highlights ( while the time slot of the game wasn’t great the crowd was disappointing a combination of Adelaide having lost its 1st 2 games and the negative publicity,AFLW has received ) thanks Yoshi

  3. Hi and thanks for coments Yvette and Rulebook,

    Yvette – You could comment when Dusty is everywhere. I like your quote! It’s my pleasure to make a report. I enjoy writing about games and my playing stories.

    Rulebook – Thanks for your further information of Erin Philips. She is so talented, wow! Her playing is so terrific and I am impressed. And Perkins is a good player too. I feel sorry that you had to leave the venue before the game started. Missing such a great game is so sad, isn’t it? I hope you can watch a game soon.

    Cheers

    Yoshi

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