ESSENDON holds the precious sixth spot on the VFL Women’s ladder and can secure it with a win tonight against the Western Bulldogs. If the Dogs get up, then the Dons will almost certainly fall outside of the finals race with rivals Darebin and Port Melbourne facing bottom two teams in the final round of the season.

FORM

Western Bulldogs put Port Melbourne’s season on life support last week to win by a point after four consecutive losses, including three where the Dogs kicked one goals or less. Essendon scraped past Sandringham Zebras in Round 13 by five points, and also toppled Box Hill by 22 the week before after five consecutive losses prior to Round 12.

TEAMS

Western Bulldogs

B: S. Sansonetti (55) – T. Crook (30)
HB: R. Benham (44) – M. Gorham (6) – B. Barwick (12)
C: T. Skenderis (34) – J. Livingstone (40) – M. McLeod (31)
HF: C. McDermott (38) – M. Sandral (39) – N. Ferres (16) 
F: B. McFarlane (58) – I. Milford (64)
R: L. Swain (71) – S. Asciak (29) – J. Tabb (63)
INT: E. Nekrep (41) – F. Taylor (48) – M. Styles (50) – R. Saulitis (56) – Z. Hamilton (62)

Essendon

B: M. Ford (42) – D. Ryan (51)
HB: G. Azzopardi (67) – B. Plummer (57) – G. Brooker (10)
C: L. Thompson (74) – C. Bernardi (47) – I. Porter (70)
HF: S. Orritt (68) – T. Davidge (77) – A. Melnikas (64)
F: E. Chaston (61) – T. Gilcrist (58)
R: L. Prince (44) – A. McDonald (53) – A. Jordan (62)
INT: M. Robinson (80) – M. Klaumanns-Moller (75) – S. Ford (45) – S. Johnston (79) – O. Manfre (43)

CHANGES

Western Bulldogs have lost Keeley Hardingham and Cleo Buttifant for the clash with Paula Pavic also out of the side. Coming into the contest are ruck Leah Swain, as well as the dangerous Renee Saulitis and Emmalyn Nekrep.

For the Dons, a massive five changes have take place, highlighted by losing Sophie Molan and Kayla Peake to injury as well as Madison Ibrahim who will play in an AFLW practice match for Melbourne. The five ins are Marli Klaumanns-Moller, Marnie Robinson, Olivia Manfre, Isabelle Porter and AFLW-listed Grace Brooker.

ANALYSIS

The inclusion of Swain will provide important height for the Dogs in what should be a fascinating midfield battle. Essendon has the experience edge with former AFLW talents Christina Bernardi and Abbey McDonald in there, while Brooke Plummer will provide crucial run out of defence, and ex-Pie El Chaston ever a target inside 50.

The Bulldogs have Stephanie Asciak and Jaimi Tabb who are proven VFLW performers, while Brooke Barwick is gaining much needed experience ahead of her second season in the red, white and blue. Mary Sandral and Imogen Milford are the marking targets the Dogs have and where they can really control the game, with Maddison Ford and Plummer likely to have big matchups.

Calder Cannons top-ager Taylah Gilcrist will represent the Dons again and has been named forward after playing in defence for the Cannons last weekend. Western Bulldogs will look to their own experience in Mali McLeod and Naomi Ferres to steer the ship, while Zara Hamilton has been a terrific mid-season inclusion.

PREDICTION

There is definitely more on the line for the Bombers so it should put them into favourites here. Western Bulldogs should feel confident if they can win the midfield battle, but either way expect a lower scoring contest with plenty of defensive acts.

ROUND 14 FIXTURE

Friday, August 1:

Carlton vs. Box Hill Hawks @ Ikon Park, 7:05pm
Western Bulldogs vs. Essendon @ Whitten Oval, 7:05pm

Saturday, August 2:

Williamstown vs. Collingwood @ DSV Stadium, 10:05am
Port Melbourne vs. Casey Demons @ ETU Stadium 10:05am

Sunday, August 3:

Sandringham Zebras vs. North Melbourne Werribee @ Trevor Barker Oval, 9:45am
Geelong vs. Darebin Falcons @ KFC Oval, 1:05pm