Bulldogs’ tale inspires women’s chase
FORMER Manunda Hawk Tiarna Ernst will draw inspiration from the Western Bulldogs drought-breaking 2016 men’s premiership when the AFLW club tries to claim their first flag this Saturday afternoon.
Premiership winning Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge sat down with the AFLW squad recently and Ernst expects to speak with some of the men’s team in the lead-up to their grand final against the Brisbane Lions.
“I am sure our AFLW coaching staff will call on that experience from the 2016 premiership team,” Ernst said.
“Luke sat down and had an amazing chat with us a couple of weeks ago. He spoke about how we needed to apply ourselves every week to get the best out of ourselves.
“We all really responded to that and I would not be surprised if they do something like that on Friday just before the grand final and use that experience from the boys.”
Ernst’s Bulldogs beat Melbourne Demons on Saturday night to remain in first place and book their spot in the decider to face Brisbane.
The Mossman State High School graduate had played much of her career in the ruck but has shifted to defence in 2018, a role she enjoys.
“It has allowed me to focus on being purely a backman, instead of doing both, which has been great,” Ernst said.
“That may have been an issue for us last season, we were not versatile enough as a team but this year there was a big push for different girls to move around and play different positions.
“That has been one of the reasons we have been successful this year, the depth of talent and versatility have been key.”
Ernst is confident the Bulldogs will be able to perform on the big stage even if star captain Katie Brennan is banned following her two-game rough conduct suspension.
Ernst will face fellow Far North juniors Leah Kaslar and Breanna Koenen in Saturday’s second ever AFLW decider.