NAB AFLW Round 4

Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans
Saturday 5 September, 12:35pm AEST
Mission Whitten Oval, Footscray • Wurundjeri/Boon Wurrung
Broadcast: Fox Footy / Kayo / Binge

Join us this Saturday as we honour and celebrate the rich contribution from First Nations people to the game we all love.

Don't miss this special afternoon of footy and culture!

Key Match Timings

Gates open: 11:30am
Team entry: 12:35pm

What's on at the Kennel

• Indigenous artist Alisha will be showcasing and selling her artwork, while creating a live piece throughout the pre-match
• Get involved at the boomerang painting station
• Visit the Bump Health activation on the concourse
• Grab a giveaway, including AFLW bucket hats, heat press patches, team posters and player face masks
• Enjoy the inflatables on the hill (weather permitting)

Getting to Mission Whitten Oval

It’s never been easier to get to the ground with more trains than ever heading to West Footscray Train Station thanks to the new Metro Tunnel. The platform is less than 100 metres from the gate.

Plan your journey ahead of time using the PTV Journey Planner.

Please note that that there is limited on-street parking.

Gate Entry

The primary public entry points are:

• Gate 1 – Located near Barkly Street
• Gate 3 – Located at Cross Street 

Please note: Gate 2 is reserved for VIPs, staff, and accredited individuals only.

AFLW members can enter via Gate 2, for easy access to the Bulldogs Social Members Lounge, located on Level 2.

Accessibility Information

Mission Whitten Oval has the following facilities available to all visitors:

• Multi-faith prayer room
• Parent room with changing facilities
• Changes Places facility suitable for individuals with high support needs
• Elevated disability viewing spots located around the venue

People with accessibility needs are encouraged to access the venue via Gate 2 (Whitten Avenue via the Café/main reception).

Not an AFLW Member?

The best way to support the Club is to Go All In On W - sign up as a W member today!

Score access to every home game & bring a friend for free! That's two tickets to six home games for only $39. 

AFLW Round 4

Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans
Saturday 5 September, 12:35pm AEST
Mission Whitten Oval, Footscray • Wurundjeri / Boon Wurrung
Broadcast: Kayo/Fox Footy (check broadcast guide)
Admission: Tickets available here

We're proud to offer complimentary entry to our First Nations community for this weekend's Dogs v Swans game at Mission Whitten Oval. Get your tickets here.

One Club. Two Teams. Add AFLW to your existing Bulldogs AFL Membership for just $29! Click here to learn more.

LAST TIME WE MET 

Week 5, 2024
Western Bulldogs 5.9 (39) def. Sydney 5.2 (32)

A spirited Western Bulldogs outfit recorded their first back-to-back wins since 2022 when they defeated Sydney by seven points.

The Dogs were diligent in defending at the contest, at times giving away free kicks for overzealous tackles, but doing a stunning job of worrying the Swans into poor ball use.

Jess Fitzgerald continued her impact in the midfield with 18 disposals and eight tackles, while Brit Gutknecht finished with 15 disposals, five tackles and a goal.

THE LINE-UP 

WHAT IT MEANS

- Dylan Bolch, afl.com.au

The Bulldogs were dealt their first loss of the season in round three, falling to the seemingly invincible North Melbourne down in Tasmania. The Dogs did plenty right that day though, which will no doubt have filled coach Tam Hyett with plenty of confidence that her side are a finals chance in 2026. Isabelle Pritchard and Jess Fitzgerald continue to toil away in the midfield, while Britney Gutknecht is quietly putting together a strong campaign.

PLAYER TO WATCH

If you haven't seen much of Emma McDonald play, do yourself a favour and keep a close eye on the exciting Bulldogs talent. A powerful key forward who blends athleticism with incredible forward craft, McDonald is capable of taking the game away from an opposition on any given day. She's a strong mark, nice kick for goal and isn’t afraid to chip in defensively either.

THE Western Bulldogs have broken Sydney's undefeated streak for the season with a 27-point win on a windy Saturday afternoon at their home of Mission Whitten Oval. 

A seesawing affair, the Swans kicked four in a row in the second and third terms but the Dogs held their nerve, ramming home six goals to finish 9.6 (60) to 5.3 (33) in the second week of AFLW Indigenous Round. 

Firecracker Rylie Wilcox finished with a career-high three goals, while teammate Emma McDonald bobbed up in the final term with three of her own.

Co-captain Izzy Pritchard led the way with 23 disposals, nine clearances and four tackles. Celebrating her 75th game on Saturday afternoon, Elle Bennetts was everywhere, finishing with 20 disposals, three tackles and 477 metres gained with 100% game time.

Chloe Molloy was a shining light for the Swans, scoring three goals off 14 possessions. Tanya Kennedy made a successful return from a pre-season back injury, finishing with a whopping game-high 12 tackles. 

Young star Zippy Fish held up her end of the bargain, with 25 disposals and 546 metres gained, although she came off worse for wear late after running into the goalpost.

The result leaves both sides at a promising 3-1, giving the Bulldogs in particular some confidence.

Fearless Wilcox opened proceedings with two goals, her second an opportunistic slide through the pack helped along by a lucky bounce or two. 

Not to be outdone, Chloe Molloy sold some candy and snapped, the wind guiding the ball through to open the Swans’ ledger, before Pritchard extended the lead after scoring from stoppage.

Sydney tightened up its game in the second quarter, in particular around clearance and contested possessions. The side scored the only two goals of the quarter to reduce the half-time margin to four points.

Both goals resulted from the Swans taking their chances, with star Montana Ham throwing the ball on the boot out of a pack and co-vice-captain Sofia Hurley snapping on the run.

The Swans brought the pressure to the start the third, with the Dogs trying to kick into space and get out the back while the defence held up well.

It was a Molloy masterclass in the third quarter. Slipping a tackle and scoring to put the Swans in front for the first time of the afternoon, a deep entry by Fish then found her again out the back to extend their lead and wrestle momentum away from the Bulldogs.

Repeat forward 50 entries for the Bulldogs built relentless pressure before a scramble in the goal square led to a Jasmyn Smith goal, and it was party time for the Dogs from there.

Up next
The Bulldogs head to Kennedy Community Centre in Dingley next Saturday to take on Hawthorn at 1:05pm. A Sydney derby awaits the Swans at their home of Henson Park against GWS Giants on Sunday at 2.35pm.

WESTERN BULLDOGS            3.2   3.4   4.4    9.6     (60)
SYDNEY                                   1.0   3.0   5.2    5.3     (33)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Wilcox 3, McDonald 3, Pritchard, Smith, Carruthers
Sydney: Molloy 3, Hurley, Ham

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Pritchard, Edmonds, Bennetts, Wilcox
Sydney: Fish, Kennedy, Hurley, Ham

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Cann (nose)
Sydney: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Sydney: Smith (wrist)

Crowd: 2,142 at Mission Whitten Oval