I’m looking forward to the ‘21 season. We have bought in host of new talent whilst losing just one of our top 10 in last years B n F (Elise O’dea)

We have a good range of talent across the ages; Zanker, Birch, Hanks and Heath are the up and comers who could all become ten year players whilst learning from our experienced leaders in Daisy, Karen Paxman and Shelly Scott.

We have a top ruck in Pearce and some exciting talent in the Irish women, McEvoy and Goldrick, who will only get better with a season under their belts. 

The Club also seems to have identified this year’s uncompromised draft to load up in going for height and pace. Nice to see one of them (McNamara) making her mark already taking out the 2km over the perennial winner in Paxman (see article below)
 

From afar we look to have some good depth. Give us a half decent run with injuries and I think we can give the competition a shake. Go Dees! 

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/834138/mcnamara-shines-in-time-trial-as-unique-pre-season-begins

According to the club website, O'Dea, Newman and co are still at the club. It's only been three months since the trade period - you'd think someone could find a few minutes to update the website in that time.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/aflw

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/834178/aflw-training-gallery-november-5

Does anyone know if the club spread the AFLW payments to our women over a 12 month period or just over the training and playing period?

I don’t know why I need to know this, but I can’t find an answer online, and it’s bugging me.

4 hours ago, Neil Crompton said:

Does anyone know if the club spread the AFLW payments to our women over a 12 month period or just over the training and playing period?

I don’t know why I need to know this, but I can’t find an answer online, and it’s bugging me.

The Irish girls that come over for a few months get paid while they're here. Suggests that the rest of the list is paid during the season as well. I don't know for definite. Let me know if you confirm for sure.

I guess this falls under 2021 preseason!

A few weeks back I caught a replay of the All-Ireland Ladies Championship, featuring of course our Irish players in Goldrick, McEvoy and Magee for Dublin. The Dubs had an impressive comeback win to clinch their fourth straight title.

It was interesting to see Goldrick and McEvoy in their natural element. I only really know the basics of the game, but it was clear that Dublin is a very professional outfit.

Goldrick in particular was super impressive. She came to the fore when the game was in the balance, and was awarded the player of the match. The commentary was in Gaelic so I had no idea what they were saying mostly but there was one passage of play where I could understand a few words being repeated: "Magee" and "physical". I get the sense she's going to enjoy the full tackle in AFLW.

I believe they were meant to travel straight after Christmas so hopefully all goes smoothly with that and quarantine. Obviously they are match fit, but it's going to be a quick and steep adjustment back to footy. The VFLW's alignment with the AFLW season could be very handy in this regard.

Now I'll make my annual promise to try to check out some pre-season training. I saw the girls going round at Gosch's while driving by but will try to get a closer look and report back!

Here are highlights ( with English commentary!):

 

Sinead Goldrick ( 7),  Niamh McEvoy ( 14), and Lauren ( Speccie) McGee (8) are our girls.....

McGee gets a yellow card in the last 30 seconds, but if she was playing AFL would get a crowd cheer instead.....Goldrick shows her AFL level skills multiple times, and there is no doubt about the fitness of any of the girls, in this game they run all the time.

On 12/28/2020 at 8:56 PM, george_on_the_outer said:

Here are highlights ( with English commentary!):

 

Sinead Goldrick ( 7),  Niamh McEvoy ( 14), and Lauren ( Speccie) McGee (8) are our girls.....

McGee gets a yellow card in the last 30 seconds, but if she was playing AFL would get a crowd cheer instead.....Goldrick shows her AFL level skills multiple times, and there is no doubt about the fitness of any of the girls, in this game they run all the time.

Yeah, I'll admit it was frustrating to watch them pulling up for tackles that would be fine in AFLW. It also felt like it was kind of subjective where the line was, but maybe I was biased!

Season 2021 kicks off against Adelaide at Casey Fields in a fortnight, so not long to wait now.

I hear the Irish girls are still in Brisbane quarantining, so hopefully they get down here soon and get in some AFL practice.  Would love to see Goldy line up against the Crows, she’s so fierce and full of run as evidenced in the Dublin v Cork Final and in 2020 AFLW.

Apparently the girls had an intraclub hitout last week and there is a practice match this weekend at Geelong. 

Of the newbies I understand Bannan and McNamara are shaping as likely Round 1 inclusions.

An offseason improver could be Jackie Parry who has really worked on her strength and all the girls are super impressed with the new facilities at Casey for AFLW.

Good luck to the new (8 member) leadership team led by Daisy and Paxy with Lily, Maddi,  Kate, Libby, Sarah and young Tyla Hanks who is only 20 yo.

The Age reporting the results from the practice match against Geelong ( no link available on-line):

"Karen Paxman suffered a corked quad in 2nd quarter after starring early.  Meg Downie an ankle injury in the 3rd quarter, diagnosed later as a sprain only.

Melbourne win 8.7(55) to Geelong 5.4.(34)

 

1 hour ago, george_on_the_outer said:

The Age reporting the results from the practice match against Geelong ( no link available on-line):

"Karen Paxman suffered a corked quad in 2nd quarter after starring early.  Meg Downie an ankle injury in the 3rd quarter, diagnosed later as a sprain only.

Melbourne win 8.7(55) to Geelong 5.4.(34)

 

I see the ladies are copying the men's team! Giving sides a first quarter start . Amazes me how often both teams don't seem switched on from the start.

Some more information from the AFL website. Karen Paxman's haircut reminds me of Nathan Carroll.

https://womens.afl/news/55794/practice-matches-pies-stun-roos-dees-and-lions-impress

The Cats were on fire early, booting four of their five goals in the first term, but struggled to maintain their intensity as the match progressed and the Dees kicked into gear.

Maddie Boyd was a dominant force up forward early, booting two goals, while developing Cats mid Becky Webster put in a solid performance and Denby Taylor was typically tough in her first game since an ankle injury ended her 2020 AFLW season in round two.

Rising Melbourne midfielder Tyla Hanks – already earmarked to spend much more time on the ball in 2021 – was her side's best, while Lily Mithen was strong rotating between the middle and forward.

Forward Jackie Parry, whose 2020 debut was delayed until round four due to a hamstring injury, found some space in attack, finishing with two goals.

The Dees picked up two minor injuries, with All-Australian captain Karen Paxman (who was excellent in the half she played) initially sending some anxiety around the ground with what was ultimately a corked quad, and defender Meg Downie finishing on crutches with a sprained ankle.

GEELONG   4.0   4.0   4.2   5.4 (34)
MELBOURNE   0.1   5.3   7.5   8.7 (55)

GOALS
Geelong: Boyd 2, A. McDonald, Clarke, Purcell
Melbourne: Parry 2, Paxman, Mithen, Hanks, Cunningham, Zanker

On 1/18/2021 at 3:06 PM, poita said:

Some more information from the AFL website. Karen Paxman's haircut reminds me of Nathan Carroll.

https://womens.afl/news/55794/practice-matches-pies-stun-roos-dees-and-lions-impress

The Cats were on fire early, booting four of their five goals in the first term, but struggled to maintain their intensity as the match progressed and the Dees kicked into gear.

Maddie Boyd was a dominant force up forward early, booting two goals, while developing Cats mid Becky Webster put in a solid performance and Denby Taylor was typically tough in her first game since an ankle injury ended her 2020 AFLW season in round two.

Rising Melbourne midfielder Tyla Hanks – already earmarked to spend much more time on the ball in 2021 – was her side's best, while Lily Mithen was strong rotating between the middle and forward.

Forward Jackie Parry, whose 2020 debut was delayed until round four due to a hamstring injury, found some space in attack, finishing with two goals.

The Dees picked up two minor injuries, with All-Australian captain Karen Paxman (who was excellent in the half she played) initially sending some anxiety around the ground with what was ultimately a corked quad, and defender Meg Downie finishing on crutches with a sprained ankle.

GEELONG   4.0   4.0   4.2   5.4 (34)
MELBOURNE   0.1   5.3   7.5   8.7 (55)

GOALS
Geelong: Boyd 2, A. McDonald, Clarke, Purcell
Melbourne: Parry 2, Paxman, Mithen, Hanks, Cunningham, Zanker

Anyone know who got the 8th goal - there's only seven goals listed in this report. The MFCW Twitter also only listed seven.

Completeness freaks need to know....

Paxman's hairdo reminds me of Clint Bizzell

4 hours ago, ManDee said:

Paxman's hairdo reminds me of Clint Bizzell

Ring the Club!!!

On 1/24/2021 at 1:00 PM, Supermercado said:

Anyone know who got the 8th goal - there's only seven goals listed in this report. The MFCW Twitter also only listed seven.

Completeness freaks need to know....

Ring the Club SMC 

1 minute ago, 58er said:

Ring the Club!!!

Sorry Posted in error