THE Western Bulldogs progressed through to the 2019 Victorian Football League (VFL) Women’s Grand Final with a hard fought win over ladder leaders Collingwood, forcing the Pies to a preliminary final against the Southern Saints who claimed a 17-point victory over Melbourne Uni. The loss marks the end of the road for the Mugars, while the Dogs have earned a week off to prepare for the grand final.

COLLINGWOOD 0.4 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 1.8 (14)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 4.4 (26)

GOALS:
Collingwood: C. Molloy.
Western Bulldogs: B. Lochland 2, S. Molan, N. McMahon.

BEST:
Collingwood: B. Bonnici, J. Lambert, G. Buchan, S. Casey, C. Molloy, S. Layton
Western Bulldogs: N. Ferres, N. McMahon, A. Guest, K. McLeod, M. Sandral, K. Lamb

Despite registering more shots at goal, the Magpies simply could not convert while the Bulldogs punished them piling on the pressure and nailing crucial goals. The Bulldogs will be licking their lips able to sit back and relax this week after an impressive effort. With a spot in the grand final up for grabs, Collingwood came out hard peppering the goals and nudging ahead at half-time before the tables turned. The black and white did not manage a score in the final term, while the Dogs went on a scoring spree nailing two goals and clenching victory to progress through to the grand final. Collingwood missed Bri Davey who was a late out replaced by Sharni Layton. Davey’s absence around the stoppages was obvious but Brittany Bonnici flexed her muscles going in hard and winning the ball with nothing but sheer grit and determination with a game-high 22 disposals. Chloe Molloy did her part around the ground leading up at the footy and providing an option inside 50 albeit inaccurate in front of goal with 1.2 for the afternoon. Teammate Jaimee Lambert was electric across the field gathering 20 disposals with 13 of them kicks plus seven tackles. The Dogs had no shortage of stand out players with Brooke Lochland showcasing her explosiveness in front of goal with two majors along with 11 touches. Naomi Ferres was a beast around the contest notching up eight tackles and 13 possessions while highlighting her strong hands with four marks. Ellie Gavalas and Ashleigh Guest were both crucial for the Doggies with both players absorbing the pressure and thinking their way through the contest. The win sees the Western Bulldogs earn a spot in the final hoorah, while the Magpies will face off against the Southern Saints in hope to win their way into the grand final.

SOUTHERN SAINTS 3.1 |6.4 | 10.5 | 10.5 (65)
MELBOURNE UNI 2.1 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 7.6 (48)

GOALS:
Southern Saints: C. Greiser 4, K. Shierlaw, H. Stuart, C. Phillips, E. Mackie, C. Munn, M. Kuys
Melbourne Uni: D. Bateman 2, J. Garner 2, A. Riddell, S. Abbatangelo, J. Bruton

BEST:
Southern Saints: E. Mackie, C. Greiser, C. Phillips, T. Lucas-Rodd, O. Vesely, K. O”Neill
Melbourne Uni: K. Gillespie-Jones, J. Bruton, J. Garner, E. Kearney, A. Riddell, A. Runnalls

The Southern Saints skipped out to an early lead and did not look back maintaining the pressure throughout the four quarters. Despite not scoring in the last term the Saints did enough to establish a commanding lead and keep Melbourne Uni guessing, spurring them into the prelim. The Saints slotted four consecutive goals in the third term to all but end the hopes of the Mugars and although they did mount a fourth quarter comeback it was little too late. With only six disposals to her name Caitlin Greiser made the most of her chances posing a dominant threat inside the forward 50 with her lethal boot on full display. Greiser nailed four goals straight while applying a bucket load of forward pressure with five tackles. She was ably assisted by teammate Emma Mackie who slotted one major for the game to accompany her 20 touches and nine tackles. It was a comprehensive performance by the Saints midfield with Tilly Lucas-Rodd and Alison Drennan doing their part in close with 20 and 17 disposals respectively. Melissa Kuys also had the ball on a string with 17 touches, one goal and five marks showcasing her strength in the air while Rhiannon Watt was no mean feat competing hard in the ruck with 18 hit outs to her name. Ashleigh Riddell put on a show for Melbourne Uni going in hard and winning the ball at the coalface, notching up 30 disposals and a goal for her efforts. Emma Kearney and Jenna Bruton were both crucial for the Mugars who struggled to have their usual impact. Bruton slotted a major in the second quarter to keep her side in the hunt while also showing is not afraid to throw her weight around with seven tackles. In front of goals, Daisy Bateman led the way converting two goals straight credit to her lead up at the footy and goal sense. The loss ends the Mugars 2019 journey while the Saints keep marching on to play Collingwood in the preliminary final.