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AFLW: PF vs Adelaide

Demonland
in AFLW Melbourne Demons

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Well, a disappointing way for the season to end! But all credit has to go to Adelaide who were simply too good in every facet of the game and completely outplayed us. They never looked in doubt. In many ways, it was a reversal of our effort against them a month back. They responded to that as you would expect of a two-time premiership team.

Too many of our players failed to get into the game and we just couldn't take a trick. The luck we'd had the last four rounds (much of which we admittedly created through sheer grit and determination) abandoned us and Adelaide showed no mercy. It took so much to get there that you could kind of sense a flat performance would eventually trip us up.

Felt for McNamara and Randall - not a nice way to end your season. And we all lose by not getting to see Randall in the Grand Final.

All that said: what a season! Like others have commented, as disappointing as it was to lose in such a fashion, I'm still so proud of how far this team came this season and the spirit they played in couldn't be faulted. No one would have had us in the Prelims at season's beginning. Few would have had us in the finals. Some of the predictions were very dire! I'll admit I was iffy!

While it's still too soon to say if our draft strategy has paid off, it feels like the right move. Of those that left, the hardest to replace probably turned out to be Cordner, somewhat expectantly but mostly due to Downie's injury. This is a credit to the players who stepped up and the continued development of our youngsters.

We equalled last year's effort - and actually surpassed it given the season being three games longer. Three or four players who would have been in our bottom six or on the fringes last year stepped up to cement places in the team. The debutants made their mark, with Bannan and MacNamara playing every game, and Magee improving well beyond what her first game might have suggested. The much-anticipated (well, by me!) break-out season of Zanker was great to witness - the sky's the limit from here if the work is done. Same goes for Hanks who achieved some deserved recognition. Shout-out also to Lampard, whose return from an ACL during this season was perhaps not spoken of much but she really built into the season.

Next year...is an eternity away. It seems even longer than usual, despite the fact that it is actually closer due to the lengthened season. There are many questions:

  • The season structure is (if I recall correctly) meant to expand to 10 H&A rounds - will that happen and will it impact when the season is started/how much overlap there is with the men? I've heard talk of starting in November.
  • Will Daisy play on? The vibe I get is yes at this stage but things can change quickly. Other retirees/trades etc.? You'd wonder about Cunningham's role going forward. Downie? Does McEvoy make the trip again? Things must become difficult for Sloane now, after that third ACL and now 28.
  • Will we be as proactive in the trade and draft period this year? Personally I feel we'd be better off targeting some proven performers rather than going the draft route again although further expansion is a ticking time bomb as well. We still need that big marking forward we so sorely lack and more depth down back. Who might we move along? Emonson?
  • How much will we need to improve on this season's output to be finals contenders again? Sides like North, Freo and Carlton who were very strong in 2020 came into 2021 as favourites but didn't improve enough and were exposed.
  • Can Port Adelaide enter the comp soon? ?

Looking forward to the Grand Final and celebrating what was undoubtedly the best season of AFLW so far. Funny to think how lots of us raved about that Melbourne v North game at a locked-down Casey mid-season as the best game in the comp history so far - since then I reckon there's been about 5 games of equal quality or excitement-factor.

Onwards and upwards. It might be a while before I muster the will to trek to Casey Fields again but hopefully I'll get along to a VFLW game or too at some stage to check out what's happening at that level - at this stage the Casey girls sit 5th of 12 teams, with 3 wins and 3 losses.

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    The rhetoric around Adelaide is starting to [censored] me. All the talk about how they were a certainty to beat us and are hot favourite for the flag.

    Anyone who watched us play them in the home and away will know that we destroyed them in that game. They were never in it. And kicking straight in the prelim would’ve had us in the game.

    I hope it’s nagging at the girls just as much.

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    Has it been reported anywhere how Eliza McNamara is after that clash with Crows Captain Randall?  Hope she is going well. Media only reporting on Chelsea.

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    On 4/14/2021 at 8:03 PM, P-man said:

    The rhetoric around Adelaide is starting to [censored] me. All the talk about how they were a certainty to beat us and are hot favourite for the flag.

    Anyone who watched us play them in the home and away will know that we destroyed them in that game. They were never in it. And kicking straight in the prelim would’ve had us in the game.

    I hope it’s nagging at the girls just as much.

    After another's brain fade with our forwards we badly need to go searching fir a classy big and medium forward. I mean a real footballer who kicks well and on both feet !!

    I think Krystal Petrovski was  badly missed fir her crumbing and lacy skills,

     Need a definite KP player fir CHB or FB also.

    Great season though and many stepped up.

    Alrjough Mick Stinnear made good decisions about recruits and the changes made after our mid season slump CN we afford another forward debacle 3 games out of 11. 
     

    Still haunts Us when we kick badly or face windy away conditions we are badly coached and not skilled enough up firward to kick enough goals 

    Think our  3 losses We kicked 4.30 or similar and history Needs to be changed! 

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