GAMEDAY: AFLW Rd 05 vs Gold Coast

[BDA 22,755]

24 minutes ago, Meggs said:

drop Parry, for one of the young talls or Ali Brown.

Agree. she's had 5 games. Time for a change

[WERRIDEE 5,479]

Were not playing well not gonna win the premiership the way we are going but there is still time to hit our straps.

[Whispering_Jack 30,130]

MELBOURNE 0.3.3 2.4.16 4.7.31 5.8.38

GOLD COAST SUNS 0.0.0 1.0.6 2.0.12 4.2.26

GOALS

MELBOURNE Harris 2 Fitzsimon McNamara D Pearce

GOLD COAST SUNS Drennan Hampson Howarth Stanton 

[old dee 23,791]

Last night I decided to give the girls game another go. Hmm doesn't seem to have changed much since my last visit. Admittedly it is based on one game   But the standard has not changed much. Last night it was barely country league seconds standard. There were two Suns players who were 20 kg overweight. There is IMO only one reason it is on TV and that is AFL political correctness. 

[D4Life 2,474]

29 minutes ago, old dee said:

Last night I decided to give the girls game another go. Hmm doesn't seem to have changed much since my last visit. Admittedly it is based on one game   But the standard has not changed much. Last night it was barely country league seconds standard. There were two Suns players who were 20 kg overweight. There is IMO only one reason it is on TV and that is AFL political correctness. 

There was a quarter in games against Tigers & Saints where the team moved the ball well and skills were good, last night in congestion skill level was poor. 
Demons trying to play a high skill level of game, and when skills are poor, makes the team look bad.

As coach I would play with a goal keeper minding the goalsquare, as a lot of scrubby kicks go through below head height for goals, I would also ensure two defenders stay in back half of ground, as easy goals come through on break away into empty defence, when all players chasing a kick at other end of the ground.

Reminds of the way the mens team defensive unit used to sit too high up the field. Once you keep defensive structure in place throughout the game, you become much harder to score against!

Just getting defensive structure in place would give Demons a chance at flag. As Harris provides a great target in forward line, she also should get more frees, as constantly manhandled!

[rjay 24,928]

38 minutes ago, old dee said:

Last night I decided to give the girls game another go. Hmm doesn't seem to have changed much since my last visit. Admittedly it is based on one game   But the standard has not changed much. Last night it was barely country league seconds standard. There were two Suns players who were 20 kg overweight. There is IMO only one reason it is on TV and that is AFL political correctness. 

I agree on the standard, it's not great footy.

Good women's sport (Golf, Tennis, Soccer, Hockey, Basketball etc) doesn't have the power and overall athleticism of the mens games, but it usually has a nice flow, the basic skills are all there. AFLW doesn't have this yet...

...but  I don't think it's on the tele because of political correctness. There are fans that will watch their clubs no matter what and there are TV stations in need of content to fill spots.

[old dee 23,791]

19 minutes ago, rjay said:

I agree on the standard, it's not great footy.

Good women's sport (Golf, Tennis, Soccer, Hockey, Basketball etc) doesn't have the power and overall athleticism of the mens games, but it usually has a nice flow, the basic skills are all there. AFLW doesn't have this yet...

...but  I don't think it's on the tele because of political correctness. There are fans that will watch their clubs no matter what and there are TV stations in need of content to fill spots.

I would love to know how it rates. Even with "my" team playing I was struggling to maintain interest. I guess you cannot please everyone. 

[John Crow Batty 8,863]

The womens game is improving albeit slowly. Far more athletic girls playing than a few years ago. Then there were a lot of enthusiastic plodders. The competition won’t fully mature for another decade when the 6-8 year olds that are now taking up the game come of age. Even the mens game took decades to fully mature. There were grossly overweight  players playing up until the 1970’s. Who remembers Mick Nolan? 

Edited February 6, 2022 by John Crow Batty

[BDA 22,755]

2 hours ago, old dee said:

Last night I decided to give the girls game another go. Hmm doesn't seem to have changed much since my last visit. Admittedly it is based on one game   But the standard has not changed much. Last night it was barely country league seconds standard. There were two Suns players who were 20 kg overweight. There is IMO only one reason it is on TV and that is AFL political correctness. 

It wasn’t a very good game last night. We’ve played well in spells this year but we haven’t really found our groove yet.

There’s been definite improvement skills wise over the past few years but the comp is expanding too quickly imv. It’s diluting the overall quality. And more teams joining next year. I guess the rationale is more teams more interest but I’m not sure its such a good idea

I’d prefer to watch a higher quality game but personally whichever team is wearing red and blue I’ll support them. It’s not like we haven’t sat through some god awful football served up by the blokes for long enough

I think your point about the condition of some of the players is valid. Part-time or not they should be more mindful of diet and nutrition and present in better shape for the season. Whatever about skills and experience you do have control over your conditioning. Speaks to a lack of commitment

Who knows whether its political correctness of not. Some of the rubbish on primetime TV nowadays leaves me scratching my head

Anyways, hope you can get along to some games this season OD

[old dee 23,791]

17 minutes ago, BDA said:

It wasn’t a very good game last night. We’ve played well in spells this year but we haven’t really found our groove yet.

There’s been definite improvement skills wise over the past few years but the comp is expanding too quickly imv. It’s diluting the overall quality. And more teams joining next year. I guess the rationale is more teams more interest but I’m not sure its such a good idea

I’d prefer to watch a higher quality game but personally whichever team is wearing red and blue I’ll support them. It’s not like we haven’t sat through some god awful football served up by the blokes for long enough

I think your point about the condition of some of the players is valid. Part-time or not they should be more mindful of diet and nutrition and present in better shape for the season. Whatever about skills and experience you do have control over your conditioning. Speaks to a lack of commitment

Who knows whether its political correctness of not. Some of the rubbish on primetime TV nowadays leaves me scratching my head

Anyways, hope you can get along to some games this season OD

100% agreed on crap TV. 

[D4Life 2,474]

2 hours ago, rjay said:

I agree on the standard, it's not great footy.

Good women's sport (Golf, Tennis, Soccer, Hockey, Basketball etc) doesn't have the power and overall athleticism of the mens games, but it usually has a nice flow, the basic skills are all there. AFLW doesn't have this yet...

...but  I don't think it's on the tele because of political correctness. There are fans that will watch their clubs no matter what and there are TV stations in need of content to fill spots.

Your spot on re good Women’s sport, golf and Tennis in particular, great skills. 
As mentioned by another poster, it typically takes a decade for things to pick up, also moving from semi professional to professional makes a big difference.

[D4Life 2,474]

Looking at game highlights 3 of the 9 goals bounced in the goalsquare before going through, I would definitely have a goalkeeper type role in the square!

[rjay 24,928]

1 minute ago, D4Life said:

it typically takes a decade for things to pick up

I'm expecting this will be the case 'D4Life'...it's why the game gets congested now and the spectacle is not so good.

Once they can hit targets better by foot and hand the game will open up.

[58er 6,439]

24 minutes ago, BDA said:

It wasn’t a very good game last night. We’ve played well in spells this year but we haven’t really found our groove yet.

There’s been definite improvement skills wise over the past few years but the comp is expanding too quickly imv. It’s diluting the overall quality. And more teams joining next year. I guess the rationale is more teams more interest but I’m not sure its such a good idea

I’d prefer to watch a higher quality game but personally whichever team is wearing red and blue I’ll support them. It’s not like we haven’t sat through some god awful football served up by the blokes for long enough

I think your point about the condition of some of the players is valid. Part-time or not they should be more mindful of diet and nutrition and present in better shape for the season. Whatever about skills and experience you do have control over your conditioning. Speaks to a lack of commitment

Who knows whether its political correctness of not. Some of the rubbish on primetime TV nowadays leaves me scratching my head

Anyways, hope you can get along to some games this season OD

Who cares about the lacking fitness you allege . Perkins  has always been that weight and played in a Crows  premiership side. 
She was the biggest danger to our backs and ruck of all their players and contributed as always. 
That doesn't diminish the game. The AFLW practices diversity so how can they refuse Sarah to play.

She was better than any of our forwards last night than Taylor/Pearce who are forming a threat to the opposition.

Pity the other forwards can't join in the symmetry or kick straight.

[BDA 22,755]

5 minutes ago, 58er said:

Who cares about the lacking fitness you allege

so you don't think conditioning matters

[DeeSpencer 25,708]

3 hours ago, old dee said:

Last night I decided to give the girls game another go. Hmm doesn't seem to have changed much since my last visit. Admittedly it is based on one game   But the standard has not changed much. Last night it was barely country league seconds standard. There were two Suns players who were 20 kg overweight. There is IMO only one reason it is on TV and that is AFL political correctness. 

Last nights game was rubbish. Don’t make decisions based on one game. Right now we’re playing similar footy to the men in 2020.

Seek out some of the footy the women played late last season. Or even watch the 2nd quarter against Richmond a few weeks ago.

Its on tv because it’s popular. Or at least popular enough to invest in for the future.

Personally Id move to the league to spring and go back to 8 teams, 14 rounds. Unaffiliated with afl clubs. 1 per state, Geelong or Ballarat, Frankston, Darebin and Western. The standard would then be condensed to elite players who have both athleticism and skills.

Instead the afl have rapidly expanded to 14 teams and soon to 18 teams. Even good teams like us have an Irish woman with no idea and a basketballer with under 20 games of footy in her life. Plus 33+ year olds battling to keep up. I think we’re 20 years away from having enough talent for 14-16 teams, yet alone 18.

They all get trained how to run, chase, tackle and pressure because that’s easy to do. Very few of them have natural marking, kicking and evasive skills because they get developed at an early age and we’re only seeing the first generation of proper junior development come in to the league now.

[DeeSpencer 25,708]

1 minute ago, BDA said:

so you don't think conditioning matters

Tony Lockett was making a lot more cash than Tex Perkins is now in the 90’s, in a far more professional league. Not many people dared to challenge him on his fitness.

And Stewie Dew tore the 2008 grand final apart, dismantling a super team.

The demons girls are close to if not 100% super fit athletes. Tex came in and did a role for us a couple of years ago. But overall our girls are incredible athlete and Eliza Mc is a machine. Her 6:59 2km time trial stands up pretty well too I think. 

Im sure Tex’s coaches, the fitness staff and more than anyone Tex herself would love to be fitter. But I actually find her a little inspiring that she gives it a crack even when she must struggle with her diet and preparation.

The game would actually be a far better viewing product if more of the women weren’t in elite shape to chase and tackle all day and instead had the footy skills of Perko. 

[58er 6,439]

4 minutes ago, BDA said:

so you don't think conditioning matters

Yes of course but OD is old school about most things. He never even acknowledged the wind difficulty of last night. 
Seriously I don't want seriously overweight players in MFC but the oppo can please themselves. 
The  latest ad Daisy is on from Nab on jumpers for the girls deliberately features one girl similar  to Sarah Perkins but that ad is meant for any girls who play not for AFLW  who have their jumpers etc provided by the AFL Clubs.

Our game was contested and congested and too many ball ups  are occurring.

The wind at Casey interferes with the standard of the game but mostly gives us a very large home ground advantage if we kick reasonably straight.

Girls can improve but Coach has it all to do again like last year if we are to get anywhere near a Flag.

[58er 6,439]

7 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Tony Lockett was making a lot more cash than Tex Perkins is now in the 90’s, in a far more professional league. Not many people dared to challenge him on his fitness.

And Stewie Dew tore the 2008 grand final apart, dismantling a super team.

The demons girls are close to if not 100% super fit athletes. Tex came in and did a role for us a couple of years ago. But overall our girls are incredible athlete and Eliza Mc is a machine. Her 6:59 2km time trial stands up pretty well too I think. 

Im sure Tex’s coaches, the fitness staff and more than anyone Tex herself would love to be fitter. But I actually find her a little inspiring that she gives it a crack even when she must struggle with her diet and preparation.

The game would actually be a far better viewing product if more of the women weren’t in elite shape to chase and tackle all day and instead had the footy skills of Perko. 

Good points DeeS 

[BDA 22,755]

7 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Tony Lockett was making a lot more cash than Tex Perkins is now in the 90’s, in a far more professional league. Not many people dared to challenge him on his fitness.

And Stewie Dew tore the 2008 grand final apart, dismantling a super team.

The demons girls are close to if not 100% super fit athletes. Tex came in and did a role for us a couple of years ago. But overall our girls are incredible athlete and Eliza Mc is a machine. Her 6:59 2km time trial stands up pretty well too I think. 

Im sure Tex’s coaches, the fitness staff and more than anyone Tex herself would love to be fitter. But I actually find her a little inspiring that she gives it a crack even when she must struggle with her diet and preparation.

The game would actually be a far better viewing product if more of the women weren’t in elite shape to chase and tackle all day and instead had the footy skills of Perko. 

I take your point. Wasn’t a comment specifically on the Dees women more a general comment. There are some in the league who I think could be better conditioned

Perkins is a very good player and uses her bulk to very good effect particularly in marking contests. But I think she’s the exception to the rule

[DeeSpencer 25,708]

9 minutes ago, BDA said:

I take your point. Wasn’t a comment specifically on the Dees women more a general comment. There are some in the league who I think could be better conditioned

Perkins is a very good player and uses her bulk to very good effect particularly in marking contests. But I think she’s the exception to the rule

Female elite athletes often look a lot different to men. Look at someone like Serena Williams. I’d say overall the fitness levels are very good.

Tex is the exception with her smarts but also I’d say there’d be only a handful of women with similar body types. None in the Dees team. None in the dogs-tigers game I’m watching now. None that I can recall in the lions. Maybe one you girl for the crows who had a lot of skills. It’s the least of the leagues problems.

Edited February 6, 2022 by DeeSpencer

[Dees_In_October 3,380]

6 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Female elite athletes often look a lot different to men. Look at someone like Serena Williams. I’d say overall the fitness levels are very good.

Tex is the exception with her smarts but also I’d say there’d be only a handful of women with similar body types. None in the Dees team. None in the dogs-tigers game I’m watching now. None that I can recall in the lions. Maybe one you girl for the crows who had a lot of skills. It’s the least of the leagues problems.

Agree completely. And one thing that's interesting to think about is that a lot of the sizes (i.e., really tall) and shapes (i.e., strong in the middle, muscles, anything larger than rake thing) that are of advantage in sport, particularly Aussie Rules, are physical features that have rarely been seen as an asset in modern society for women and girls, and that's understating it. I'm talking about the bog standard size and shape of many of the very best players in the league, not the anomalies.

Also...Perko has more footy smarts than probably 75% of the league. I'd have loved to have kept her - our forwards could learn a lot from her.

[Dees_In_October 3,380]

Not too shabby...

 

 

[Brownie 5,980]

18 minutes ago, Dees_In_October said:

Not too shabby...

 

 

Yep, I thought Lauren was clearly best on ground and made a huge difference to our mids getting their hands on the footy more often this week.

The team are in a funny place at the moment. Quite similar to the blokes early last year.

Doing enough to win games with little spurts of brilliance but definitely not consistent enough yet.

If they can string some of their good passages into a four quarter effort, they can still go close this year.

I thought Birch played really well down back. I'm loving watching MacNamara get better and better and Daisy and Harris are really starting to combine well up front.

As for the comments about the women being scrappy, yep of course they are but the standard is improving year on year. You can still appreciate our team going in hard and giving their all for the club. I still find them entertaining to watch and I think women's footy is going to be really important for growing our young supporter base over the next decade.

Go Dees

Edited February 6, 2022 by Brownie

[Balance Demon 92]

I agree with all of the comments regarding skills and game style. The other skill/strategy of the game is to move the ball forward when it is on the ground no matter what ever happens. That was one of the differences last week with Adelaide, who kept on forcing the ball forward and into the open. Brisbane did the same to the Pies. Our girls are like bee's to a honey pot.