THE FORTRESS by Dees in October

[Demonland 73,139]

It was back to the couch for me this week, and I sat down just in time to hear that we had a late out in Lampard (due to illness), to be replaced by Brown, who I'd just seen running around in the VFLW for Casey. As the commentary helpfully informed us, Brown had already clocked up 9.4km in that game. Then again, GWS were coming off a two-week break during which many of their players had Covid – there's always someone worse off than you!

The coin toss went our way, and Daisy opted to kick with the wind. At this point, recalling that I wanted to keep an eye on milestones, I note that this was Mithen's 40th AFLW game and Hanks's 30th, with some 50-game milestones looming.

FIRST QUARTER

For reasons that should be clear to anyone who witnessed this game, I've decided to include a "Goals We Should Have Kicked" running commentary herein, just to really drive home our key weakness. To get the ball rolling, GWSHK #1 came courtesy of Paxman in the first few minutes. Finding herself in plenty of space after receiving the ball from Daisy, she had ample time to make sure of it, but no. Still, the Dees' pressure was on-song from the get-go, with Zanker wrapping up two Giants at once in a tackle, and Paxman and Hanks combining to nullify a Parker sidestep. Mithen made the most of a free kick on the boundary to hit up Harris right where she wanted it. Unfortunately, this was GWSHK #2 as Harris slammed it into the woodwork from directly in front.

The Giants faced an uphill battle in trying to clear against the wind, falling into that common trap of playing too close to the boundary. Another goal opportunity soon arose after Daisy used her nous to allow prior opportunity before going in for the kill. She kicked truly, and the Dees finally had some reward for their control of the game. The Giants then had their first real look forward but were halted by repeat efforts from Heath on Staunton and a goal-saving tackle by Colvin. West and Mithen linked up to clear the ball to Bannan on the wing who took it and JUST WENT! Five bounces later … and she was caught in two minds between passing and having a shot, but wow, it was exciting stuff. Soon after, Mithen gave Hore some silver service, providing her good mate an easy chance after an uncharacteristic drought in recent times. Hore converted, and Melbourne took a fourteen-point lead into quarter time.

SECOND QUARTER

West had a red-hot start to the second, receiving the tap from L. Pearce, getting the clearance and then following up with a tackle at half-forward that earned her a free kick, which she wasted. Still, the Dees were able to prevent an easy exit, thanks in part to the tenacious pressure of Fitzsimon, with six tackles already to her name. The Giants scrambled a chance off an unlucky out-on-the-full free kick from Colvin's shin, but the Dees defence hung in there. A kick off the ground from Paxman somewhat fortuitously turned into another fast break as Bannan took possession and rushed it to Parry, fresh off the bench. With an absolute paddock in front of her, Parry bought some time then sent the ball to a dangerous spot, where a terrible bounce eluded Scott and another chance went begging. A familiar frustration began to build, with no score midway through the second.

Then Hore popped up with a stylish dribble kick, only to be denied on the last line. Some equally desperate defending was then required at the opposite end by McNamara and Brown to chase down a promising Giants thrust forward. While the Giants were able to put together more forward entries with the wind, few were deep or dangerous, and they remained scoreless to halftime. Luckily for them, Melbourne hadn't been able to manufacture many real chances either, with the quarter a bit of a stalemate. Some welcome comic relief arrived in the form of Harris accidentally kicking the ball into the boundary umpire, knocking his whistle clean out of his hand, with profuse apologies ensuing.

THIRD QUARTER

The second half began with the ball camped in the Giants' forward fifty and the Dees struggling to find clean possession. Eventually, Parry stopped the rot by bombing the ball in the direction of Harris, who was well defended by Randall. Unfortunately for the latter, Harris had her covered once the ball hit the deck. In the resulting chain, Hanks took a risky kick inboard, which McNamara made the best of. A free kick to Fitzsimon eventually resulted, but the youngster set the trend for the quarter, missing to register GWSHK #3 from directly in front. Immediately after, Zanker almost became a contributor as well, though I'll give her a pass since it wasn't an easy miss, more of shot that should have been centred.

Sadly, GWSHK #4 soon followed, via a miss from Hore in space and under zero pressure. Next up was GWSHK #5, this time from Hanks. At this point, the game should have been well and truly over. GWSHK #6 was probably the trickiest of the bunch, another flying shot by Bannan. In the last minute, the Dees pushed for a chance to get some scoreboard reward, with a neat switch via West, Mithen, Hanks and McNamara. Scott worked hard to gain a holding the ball free kick, which she mercifully converted, making it 1.5 for the quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER

The Giants clung on valiantly for the first few minutes before Melbourne took control, with a clear desire to have the scoreboard better reflect their efforts. A strong tackle by Bannan forced a forward stoppage, and L. Pearce and Zanker combined in a classy manoeuvre that allowed the latter to blast the ball towards goal. Harris's opponent gave away a soft one, and she slotted the resultant kick. L. Pearce began to take the ball easily out of the ruck, and the Giants' pressure slowly ebbed away, worn down by the persistent attack. The Dees had the wall built, causing repeat inside 50s. Fitzsimon, the recipient of one such re-entry, made a convincing show of lining up for goal only to adjust her kick to allow a loose-checked Harris to launch at it. With the subsequent goal, Harris took the lead in the season goalkicking (and third position on the all-time leaderboard).

The GWSHK list reared its ugly head again, with GWSHK #7 coming in the form of an out-on-the-full shocker by Scott (who'd received from an absolute shank from Hore). Thankfully, that was the end of it, with Hore finishing the Dees' scoring for the day with a trademark front-and-centre crumb. Melbourne then strived to keep their opponent scoreless, but it wasn't to be, with a goal to Doyle and then a point saving the Giants the ultimate embarrassment. To complain about this would be likely saying a murder should have been a massacre, but well, it really should have been.

STATS & STAND-OUTS

Melbourne was dominant in almost every measure. While it's easy to bemoan our lack of efficiency inside 50 (at 50%), when you look at the Giants’ efficiency of 18%, maybe it doesn't feel so bad. The free kick count was 27 to 12, with the Giants giving away plenty in their efforts to quell threats all over the ground.

Parker played an almost lone hand for the Giants with 23 disposals, but her game suffered from a lack of support on the outside. Mithen (22), Paxman and Hanks (21), and West (20) led the way for the Dees in a dominant midfield display. It was easily Parry’s best effort for the season with 16; now to do a bit more with them, and us Demonlanders will have to find a new scapegoat! Mithen, West and Harris had 4 marks apiece, while Fitzsimon (9), Heath (7) and West, Hanks and Bannan (6) piled on the tackles. L. Pearce and West led the clearances with 6 each. L. Pearce again paired her hit out and disposal efforts (14). Evidently, West was everywhere and is gradually learning her limitations; she needs handball options when only precision kicks are on offer.

Of course, credit must also go to the whole team's defensive efforts, which denied the Giants opportunities forward. It was a solid game in particular by Heath, who was undersized against the dangerous Staunton but held her goalless for the first time this season. Birch did the standard Birch things, Colvin had a good impact when needed, while Brown is to be commended for her two games in one day. Goldie just keeps at it from go to whoa.

Hore found some form with 2 goals. Bannan is just waiting to burst and worked hard all day. Scott was more involved and got on the board when the rest were struggling. Zanker certainly applied ample physicality. Harris got to the right places, and our players are increasingly finding her there. Deliver to her, and she'll get a mark, bring the ball down front and centre, take an opposition player out, or receive a free kick nine times out of ten

I've harped on about the goalkicking, but it really was awful at times. Apparently, the AFLW team will train at Casey one night a week from hereon in.

MELBOURNE 2.2.14 2.3.15 3.8.26 6.8.44

 

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 0.0.0 0.0.0 0.0.0 1.1.7

 

GOALS

 

MELBOURNE Harris Hore 2 D Pearce Scott

 

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Doyle 

 

BEST

 

MELBOURNE Mithen Hanks West Paxman Harris

 

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Parker Randall Dallaway Eva Dalton

 

INJURIES

 

MELBOURNE Sara Lampard (ill) replaced in the side by Alison Brown

 

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY  McKinnon (head knock)

 

REPORTS

 

MELBOURNE Nil

 

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY  Nil

 

CROWD  TBC at Casey Fields

 

NEXT ROUND The reigning premiers, Brisbane, 7.10PM, Monday 21st at Metricon Stadium.

 

THE LAST WORD It's make or break time as the competition heats up and the opposition gets tougher.