Thanks @Dees_In_October really appreciate your reporting. 

The Wales rucking twins, Lucy and Stephanie, have impressed at VFLW level and wondered whether you think we might recruit one to understudy Lauren?   Gillard seems like a natural tall back, reads the play well like a defender and has good kicking skills.  Campbell is being developed as as a forward.  Zanker is often thrown into the role but is better as a mid onballer.  Parry has gone.  

21 hours ago, Meggs said:

Thanks @Dees_In_October really appreciate your reporting. 

The Wales rucking twins, Lucy and Stephanie, have impressed at VFLW level and wondered whether you think we might recruit one to understudy Lauren?   Gillard seems like a natural tall back, reads the play well like a defender and has good kicking skills.  Campbell is being developed as as a forward.  Zanker is often thrown into the role but is better as a mid onballer.  Parry has gone.  

Yeah, both have put together some good games, with Lucy particularly influential in the ruck. I agree we ideally need Gillard, Zanker etc. taking or developing in the positions you mention.

In terms of back-up rucks, there's also Caris, who did play games earlier this year. It's a gamble. It seems unlikely there'll be a serviceable ruck available to us in the draft. So a ruck/depth defender whose game is a known entity could be a smart choice.

19 minutes ago, Dees_In_October said:

In terms of back-up rucks, there's also Caris.

Yes, Meggs forgot about Caris.  Both Caris and Lucy Wales average 12 disposals per VFLW game and Maggie is ahead on hitouts (is anyone taller than her?) but Lucy averages more marks, tackles and scores per game.

On 6/14/2022 at 7:44 PM, Meggs said:

Yes, Meggs forgot about Caris.  Both Caris and Lucy Wales average 12 disposals per VFLW game and Maggie is ahead on hitouts (is anyone taller than her?) but Lucy averages more marks, tackles and scores per game.

I remember when Gillard was drafted they said that would make her close to tallest in AFLW at the time. She and Caris are both 190cm.

This being Lucy's first year in VFLW, those are some good signs. Both Wales are basketballers as well. It seems they haven't come through footy pathways like NAB league etc.

We got hammered by 67 points out at windy hill. We now play St Kilda in the prelim.

2 hours ago, dl4e said:

We got hammered by 67 points out at windy hill. We now play St Kilda in the prelim.

That's a thrashing when you consider most games are very low scoring affairs. A worry that we can't even kick one goal a term.

Essendon are playing all their AFLW players. Clearly desperate for a trophy.

Yawn!

Didn't get a chance to check out the Semi Final before someone spoiled the score for me! Which didn't exactly motivate me to watch...

ESSENDON              1.1       7.3       9.6       11.10 (76)

CASEY                      0.3       0.3       0.3       1.3 (9)

GOALS: Dowler

DISPOSALS: Grant, Brown 15, Chaplin 14, Harasimiuk 13, Hogg 12, S. Wales 11

BEST: Chaplin, Grant, Hogg, Brown, L. Wales, Harasimiuk, S. Wales

 

Here's the MFC report for a game I think most will be quick to move on from!

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1153019/vflw-dees-fall-short-of-bombers

Indisputable that Essendon are a strong team building towards AFLW, while Casey fielded a side to reflecting its VFLW program. As predicted, it looks like the lack of forward targets to generate set shots (a theme of the season) was shown up here and Essendon were clearly superior around the ball and with more firing power up forward.

 

NEXT: Prelim Final v Southern Saints, ETU Stadium Port Melbourne, 4:05pm, Sunday 26 June. This is to win the chance to meet Essendon again in the Grand Final.

More info re the Wales twins in case you missed it @Meggs

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1150993/two-sets-of-two-inside-casey-s-twin-stars

Disappointing that Eliza West and others have been pulled from the Casey side. It basically ensures that a team that has been very strong all season will be noncompetitive in the most important games of the season.

Casey's best VFLW season yet has come to an end, going down to the Southern Saints in the Prelim Final.

 

CASEY  1.0.6 1.06 1.1.7 2.3 (15)

SOUTHERN SAINTS 1.2.8 3.3.21 5.5.35 5.5 (35)

GOALS: McCrossan Mitchell

DISPOSALS: Chaplin, Wales 19, Hogg 17, Johnson 16, McCrossan 14

BEST: Chaplin, S.Wales, Hogg, Grant, Johnson

A disappointing end to the season, but the loss was certainly not due to lack of effort, exemplified by Johnson's astounding 15 tackles. But it was what the Dees were able to achieve with the ball compared to their opponents that proved a challenge.

Casey started well, dominating the first quarter and hitting the scoreboard via some good crumbing and a nice snap by McCrossan. The Saints hit back late in the first, and the game turned in their favour, as they showed better composure with a wet footy despite plenty of pressure from Casey.

Chaplin was again a big contributor, while Grant did her best against a talented forward line. Hogg and Johnson lead from the front as usual. S. and L.Wales both fought hard while Mitchell made the best of limited opportunities, rewarded with a late goal.

 

Stats Stand-outs

S.Wales - 19 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 12 hit outs

Chaplin - 19 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 8 clearances

Hogg - 17 disposals, 4 clearances

Johnson - 16 disposals, 15 tackles, 2 clearances

McCrossan - 1 goal, 14 disposals, 6 tackles

Mitchell - 1 goal, 12 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles

Fairchild - 11 tackles

L.Wales - 22 hit outs

 

NEXT: The AFLW draft is Wednesday 29th, so best of luck to all Casey ex-Dees in the mix. This season has seen several players recruited from Casey and snatched up from the fringes of Melbourne's list. By the time finals rolled around for VFLW, there'd been a fair bit of talent gone from the team. That's the nature of the competition, and it was great to see so many players get an opportunity at VFLW level, several for the first time. The development happening at the club is clearly of a good standard and the year-on-year improvement despite a disjointed 2020 and 2021 has been solid. Onwards and upwards!

On 6/20/2022 at 7:45 PM, Dees_In_October said:

More info re the Wales twins in case you missed it @Meggs

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1150993/two-sets-of-two-inside-casey-s-twin-stars

Lucy has been selected by Hawthorn AFLW at pick 22 and Stephanie by Essendon at pick 32.  Good selections those. Expect them to do well.