TRADITIONAL RIVALS by Bewitched

February 19, 20179 yr

There is no greater "traditional rivalry" in women's football in the early days of the game at its highest level than that between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs. The two clubs virtually single-handedly lifted the profile of the game in recent years to a level where the new national competition under the aegis of the AFLW could even be contemplated.

Melbourne won all of their early exhibition games until the very last one in 2016 when it copped a bit of a hiding so it was fitting that the Demons would finish on top in their first encounter for premiership points yesterday at Whitten Oval.

And what could be more fitting than for the skipper Daisy Pearce to be the star of the game in her team's 14 point win in the first male/female AFL double header in a game that saw her team go to a 2 - 1 record and enter the top four for the first time in the history of the competition?

It was the Bulldogs that controlled proceedings early but Harriet Cordner from the famous Melbourne family making history with a late goal to put the team within a couple of points at quarter time. It was then Daisy's turn to take over in the midfield and the Demons dominated the second quarter with the wind at their backs. Goals to Deanna Berry and Alyssa Mifsud saw them to a 14 point half time lead, an advantage they held at the end of the game.

The Bulldogs fought back early in the third quarter but two goals to Mifsud restored the advantage and the team's scored one each in the final term. Full marks to the strong Demon midfield of Daisy Pearce, Karen Paxman and Elise O'Dea who kep their team on top for most of the game and to Mifsud for her three exciting goals.

Melbourne's prospects of contesting the AFLW grand final will be enhanced if it can overcome Carlton at Casey Fields on Saturday.

Melbourne 1.1.7 3.5.23 5.7.37 6.7.43

Western Bulldogs 1.3.9 1.3.9 3.4.22 4.5.29

Goals

Melbourne Mifsud 3 Berry Cordner Hickey

Western Bulldogs Clarkson Gardner McLeod Wildes

Goals

Melbourne D Pearce Mifsud O'Dea Hickey Paxman Mithen

Western Bulldogs Blackburn Kearney Scott Wildes

Injuries

Melbourne L Pearce (shin)

Western Bulldogs Nil