AFLSCW Premier Division Preview
The match preview of the 2019 AFLSCW Premier Division Grand Final!
Bomaderry Tigers v Wollongong Bulldogs @ 3:00pm
On the back of the amazing inaugural women’s season last year, 2019 has been another fantastic year of growth in female football which led to the creation of a second division of Women’s football! And we get to Grand Final Day with a classic match in store to crown the 2019 AFLSCW Premiers!
Bomaderry Tigers, the reigning Women’s Premiers take on the emerging Wollongong Bulldogs in the Premier Division decider which is appropriate considering their 2019 seasons which saw the Bulldogs finish top of the ladder, one game clear of the Tigers.
The two sides have met on three occasions this year. In the first meeting, the Bulldogs made a statement to the competition with a 56 point drubbing. Their most recent meetings however have been decided by just 1 and 2 points respectively, including the Tigers victory in the 2nd semi to progress directly to the Grand Final. The Bulldogs will rue missed opportunities that day after having more scoring shots but will give them confidence that a better conversion rate will see a different outcome.
The Tigers come into this match on a six game winning streak after a bit of a mid season slump while the Dogs only losses in the home and away season were in Round 17 at Artie Smith and all the way back in Round 1 against the Lions.
The Bulldogs became the first club to field two Women’s teams in AFL South Coast earlier in the year and this influx of players has also brought talent. Luisa Marzotto has played a lot of football in the strong Sydney competition and that experience has been noticeable this year as she has kicked 22 goals across 12 games. Her combination with Kathryn Gaskin (26 goals) up forward spells danger for the Tigers.
Rep players Kelsey Hogan and Romy Bradmore as well as vice captain Ruby Freer have been a class above this season and will be the Dogs barometer on Saturday.
After probably being the surprise packet last year, Bomaderry have continued on their merry way in 2019 and have been building nicely towards the point end of the season. The Tigers boast the competitions best player in Sophie Phillips who can play all over the ground (including in the ruck if needed) but will most likely spend her time on the ball. She will be supported by Bridgett Kellett who has had an exceptional 2019 season.
2019 Team of the Year member Katie Sargent has been the key target up front for the Tigers but the team has an even spread of goal kickers (Lily Macdonald 8, Phillips and Tiffany Weynberg 9 and Jaimi-Lee Gibbs 7) which will keep the Bulldogs guessing.
Both sides have great coaches in 2019 Senior Coach of the Year Geoff Gibbs (Bomaderry) and Women’s Team of the Year coach Peter Anstice (Bulldogs) who will look to inspire their troops to a famous victory.
Line Ups
Bomaderry Tigers
B: K. Phillips (8), S. Hackett (11)
HB: E. Priest (18), J. Liddiard (23), K. Bramley (3)
C: B. Swankie (7), B. Kellett (1), I. Patmore (20)
HF: J. Hudson (12), K. Sargent (27), T. Weynberg (4)
F: J-L. Gibbs (21), R. Matthews (43)
R: E. Dempsey (19), S. Phillips (16),L. McDonald (37)
Int: E. Reichler (15), A. Forde (2), J. Cousins (36), N. Patmore (14)
Emg: E. Schweitzer (31), S. Bate (38)
Wollongong Bulldogs
B: M. Poynton (17), G. Huntly (16)
HB: R. Freer (12), R. Bradmore (15), A. Shilson-Josling (21)
C: M. Somes (14), K. Hogan (10), P. Talty (7)
HF: O. Adams (5), L. Marzotto (19), E. Parker (1)
F: K. Bishop (11), K. Gaskin (3)
R: Z. Field (22), S. Moon (9), M. Sheahan (8)
Int: K. Allen (18), C. Annett (4), N. Staude (2), E. Seton (6)
Emg: O. Tonitto, K. Giese, P. Devereaux
Previous Meetings
Round 7 – Bulldogs 11.9-75 d Tigers 2.7-19
Round 17 – Tigers 2.8-20 d Bulldogs 3.1-19
2nd Semi – Tigers 3.3-21 d Bulldogs 2.7-19
Players to Watch
Bomaderry Tigers
Sophie Phillips – Surprise, surprise. The two time Maddy Collier Medallist, Sophie has been influential in the big moments and will be the key player the Dogs will look to nullify.
Bridgett Kellett – An outstanding 2019 to back up 2018. Her partnership with Phillips in the middle will be hard for the Bulldogs to stop.
Wollongong Bulldogs
Kelsey Hogan – The Bulldogs leader in all facets. Skillful, huge work rate and sets the tone.
Luisa Marzotto – A massive addition to the Bulldogs this season, has excellent skills and plays a tough brand of footy.
South Coast Seagulls Tip
Almost a toss a coin job to pick a winner here. Potentially the Grand Final experience that Bomaderry have from last season will give them the edge in a tight battle. Tigers to go back-to-back by 7 points
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