The Western Bulldogs will host the AFLW grand final at Ikon Park after they secured top spot on the ladder with a thrilling two-point win over Melbourne.
The Demons clung to a four-point lead as the clock ticked down at a blustery Whitten Oval on Saturday night, but Brooke Lochland snapped a superb goal with just over a minute left to secure a tense 5.3 (33) to 4.7 (31) win in front of 7593 fans.
The Dogs will play either Brisbane or Adelaide in the premiership decider, with the Crows needing to beat Collingwood at Olympic Park on Sunday to progress.
Regardless of who the Bulldogs play, the AFL announced the grand final will be held at Ikon Park on Saturday afternoon.
Outspoken Bulldogs president Peter Gordon called for the grand final to be played at Whitten Oval before Saturday night’s game, but relieved coach Paul Groves wasn’t fazed by the league’s decision.
“If it meant that we locked out 2000 or 3000 Western Bulldogs supporters because they couldn’t get in here, but they can come in and watch us at Ikon then I think that’s the right decision,” Groves said after the match.
“We want to fill it with as many Western Bulldogs people (as we can) – past players, fans, members, supporters or just someone who’s jumped on us because they don’t have a women’s team to support yet.
“We want you in red, white and blue next week.”
Gordon was adamant his club had earned the right to host the decider at Whitten Oval, but Ikon Park offers more than double the capacity to accommodate fans.
“We want to ensure AFLW members and fans have the opportunity to attend the first AFLW grand final to be played in Melbourne and Ikon Park offers a capacity of just over 20,000,” AFLW chief Nicole Livingstone said.
The Bulldogs have overcome some adversity to make it to the grand final for the first time.
They lost young forward Daria Bannister to a season-ending knee injury in round one, then the same fate befell No.1 draft pick Isabel Huntington a week later.
And star skipper Katie Brennan returned on Saturday night after missing three games with an ankle injury.
“We’ve just got such a group that are so connected that the next girl just steps up,” Groves said.
“You just try and back your girls in to have an impact.”
With the winner of the match guaranteed a spot in the grand final, Melbourne were in the box seat as the final siren approached.
“I’m shattered and disappointed for the group,” Demons coach Mick Stinear said.
“They put so much work into it.
“You’d like to think that commitment was worthy of another week in the competition, but it wasn’t to be.”
On another sour note for the Demons, Sarah Lampard left the game in the first quarter and will undergo scans to determine the severity of a knee injury.
