THIS weekend\u2019s VFL Women\u2019s finals action kicks off with a do-or-die semi-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ramifications for this clash are pretty simple. Whoever wins will move onto a preliminary final next weekend for a spot in the grand final, while it is season over for the loser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Western Bulldogs vs Port Melbourne
1pm
Whitten Oval<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Western Bulldogs had been one of the most consistent sides in the regular season and had only lost one game since Round 5 heading into the finals. However last week they were unable to keep up with Williamstown in the qualifying final and faded away in the second half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Port Melbourne on the other hand have had an up-and-down back end of their premiership defence season, but will take a lot of confidence from the way the Borough were able to win last weekend. They really made the most of their chances and consistently kept the pressure on the Hawks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Today\u2019s clash is the fifth time these two sides have met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Port Melbourne leads the head-to-head count four to one, but crucially the sides have never met at the Whitten Oval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Last time these two met was back in Round 8, and that particular day the Bulldogs came away with a 33-point win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was tight at quarter time, but the Bulldogs kicked away in the second term and that was the difference as the Borough never really got going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crucially for the Bulldogs, they had a duo of AFLW stars kick a pair of majors each that day, but will not have access to their services this afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Western Bulldogs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In: <\/strong>Jorja Livingstone <\/p>\n\n\n\n Port Melbourne:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In: <\/strong>Ava Seton, Abbigail Rabot and Georgie Pruden <\/p>\n\n\n\n For the Bulldogs, their tall targets up forward are daunting, but struggled to really get involved in the game last week. If the likes of Mia-Rae Clifford<\/a>, Imogen Milford<\/a> and Jaimi Tabb<\/a> can get more involved in the match than they did last week, they could prove a problem for the Borough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking of Port Melbourne, the Borough are missing some key players this week, with last week\u2019s top goal scorer Jessie Williams<\/a> and key midfield Emily Harley<\/a> both out with injury. They do however still have Lauren Caruso<\/a> and regain Ava Seton<\/a> this week from suspension, so there is still a lot of strength in there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Out: <\/strong>Jaime Henry<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Out: <\/strong>Courtney Bromage, Jessie Williams and Emily Harley (all injured)<\/p>\n\n\n\nKEY PLAYERS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n