WEEK two of the 2024 AFL Women’s season kicks off with an intriguing match up with a lot riding on it. Two round one losers in the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide will meet at the iconic MCG, both keen to show that round one was not a true example of how their respective seasons will go.

4:30pm
MCG

Recent form

Both of these sides are coming off week one losses. The Bulldogs were well accounted for by GWS, while Port could not quite get over the top of Adelaide, but got the closest it has ever come to beating the Crows.

Last time they met

These two have only met one time prior, which was back in Port Adelaide’s inaugural campaign in season seven.

Unfortunately for the competition newbies it was not to be that day as the Bulldogs emerged with a 19-point win.

Things were tight early, but the Bulldogs kicked away just enough in the second half to take the win.

Key stat areas

Last week the Bulldogs did better than the Power in the number of inside 50s they recorded, but Port Adelaide’s inside 50 efficiency was significantly better than the Bulldogs’.

The Bulldogs did a lot better in centre clearances last week than Port did, but the two sides were essentially even in the stoppage clearance, so the Dogs will want to maximise that advantage.

Key match up/s

A lot of the Bulldogs’ success, particularly out of midfield, comes via Ellie Blackburn, and if she is kept quiet, the opposition is a giant step towards success. So, Maria Moloney and perhaps to a lesser extent Kirsty Lamb may have a big job on their hands tonight to try and stop Blackburn’s influence on the game.

Also after a less than influential game last week Gemma Houghton is going to want to step up and make an impact, so Jessica Fitzgerald and the rest of the Bulldogs’ defence are going to have to be very mindful of her presence.