HEARTBREAK by Dees in October

[Demonland 73,140]

This game serves as a culmination of the early era of the competition, from the foundation being laid by the original eight teams, followed by the expansion to fourteen. Melbourne and Adelaide have won the most games across that period (36 and 37 going into this game, respectively), so were worthy opponents in the last contest before the final expansion. There was a strong sense that Melbourne would need everything to go right to win in hostile territory but that our best could be good enough to beat the best.

Congratulations to Mick Stinear, coaching his 50th AFLW game in the 2022 AFLW Grand Final.

FIRST QUARTER

Getting to the first bounce of this Grand Final was an achievement in itself, after a season of dodging Covid, match rescheduling and immense pressure on players and staff alike to keep the season alive. As usual, I was hoping for us to avoid early scoreboard carnage, aware that getting blown away was a distinct possibility. Still, Adelaide settled quickly and immediately forced Melbourne to play on their terms. Our players looked uncertain in their ball movement, continuing to kick long to the outnumber and attempt forward fifty entries that were far too shallow. Hanks was on Phillips in the middle, while Heath took over when she went forward, and they covered her well early. Yet, with the ball living in Adelaide’s forward line, the backline was working overtime. As expected, our players’ effort at the contest was not lacking, including a brave mark by Mithen, however the disposal of many looked shaky.

With five minutes to play in the first, Birch gave away an unnecessary free kick, causing a literal facepalm on my behalf. No doubt she was trying to set a physical standard, but this was the wrong time and place for it. A goal line mark added insult to injury and the Crows were on the board via Hewett, who’d come in as the back-up ruck for the suspended McKinnon. Previous Adelaide efforts as a comparison, suffice to say, we’d done well to hold up defensively to this point.

SECOND QUARTER

Gay limped off early in the second, looking gone for all money, a huge blow considering she’s been on Hatchard and already struggling to quell the eventual BOG’s influence. Hatchard upped the ante further and Adelaide dominated play, with their extreme intensity around the contest paying dividends through their subsequent hard work to spread once each contest was won — not to mention their superior defensive running and positioning. They rarely dropped intercept marking opportunities in midfield, leaving Melbourne little room to pounce for fast breaks and the Dees rarely chose the alternate avenue of kicking to grass. The result was forward entry after entry for the Crows, and it was all that Melbourne could do to hold on.

The only glimmer of hope was that their inaccuracy (a little-known theme of their season) would finally come back to bite them. Along these lines, the Dees were let off by two Adelaide misses. Yet we made little in-roads in terms of scoring opportunities of our own, playing predictably going forward and failing to find a rhythm that would allow us to successfully break the lines, as the handball chain repeatedly fell apart under pressure. Harris was completely outnumbered, and her teammates showed little composure to find other options. Meanwhile, the tension of the Crows’ attacks built until Phillips found space (with three Demons closing for the smother, but not rapidly enough) and snapped her 50th AFLW goal.

Bannan (who has now kicked almost a third of her goals in finals) got Melbourne on the majors list late, as she intercepted an ill-advised kick across goal by an Adelaide defender. That made the margin a respectable ten points at the break, although it certainly felt like more.

THIRD QUARTER

A goal to Ponter from a too-easy centre clearance extended the margin to 16 points, and things were looking grim. Daisy had been swung to defence, where she attempted to steady the ship, and Gay had risen from the ashes late in the second quarter.

Melbourne wrested back some momentum, off the back of pressure and faster ball movement, though they never gained full control. Mid-way through the third, Adelaide’s Charlton and Allen were both forced out of the game after a head collision, which likely had some impact on Melbourne’s resurgence.

Still, our team’s will to get back into the contest showed maturity, particularly against such an experienced team (they’ve played in one less grand final than we have finals). Players like Mithen, West, Purcell and Hanks upped the pressure around the contest, and won more of the footy, and we able to trap it forward for longer periods. This eventually led to a mark to Harris and a goal to Hore, who broke free to squeeze one home in the out-the-back fashion that was the likeliest scoring mode. A chance to Mithen soon after went begging with a kick that she’d like have again. However, despite Melbourne continuing to push throughout the rest of the term, the Crows backline showed why their defensive unit is the cornerstone of their success.

FOURTH QUARTER

Could Melbourne overcome the nine-point deficit to snatch an unlikely victory? All signs pointed to no, but there was no point losing hope now and our players certainly didn’t — previous come-from-behind victories have instilled belief. Things looked positive as we got the ball forward quickly and appeared livelier. Apparently, the plan was to throw Sherriff forward to get some pace going. Unfortunately, injury soon put paid to that. From there, it was a desperate struggle, but Adelaide was more than up for the fight. Gay battled valiantly, doing everything possible to spur the Dees on—and out-do the influence of Hatchard by hitting the scoreboard, but was unable to finish.

A chance beckoned in front of Goldrick late, but a split second of hesitation saw that shut down. With caution thrown to the wind to find any path to victory, defensive structure was out the window and when the Crows were finally able to release the ball from their backline, it was all over. Luxuriating in the kind of space they’d denied us all game, they neatly found free targets down the open side until Ponter took advantage of Colvin losing her feet to dash away and seal Adelaide’s third premiership.

STATS & STAND-OUTS

Melbourne equalled or beat Adelaide in almost every metric (disposals, disposal efficiency, inside 50s, contested and uncontested ball, marks, tackles, tackles inside 50, intercepts, clearances and hit-outs) — we even won the free kick count (22 to 11)! But there are stats and then there are stats. Adelaide was a class above inside 50, with 41% to 26% inside 50 efficiency and had 9 to 4 marks in that part of the ground. Yes, Melbourne piled on the pressure inside 50, with 14 tackles to 6, but that’s more telling of the style of football in each team’s respective offensive area — clean and precise for the Crows and a mad scramble to get on the board for the Dees. And there’s only one stat that matters at the end of the day.

Best for Adelaide were the tough and hard-running Hatchard (BOG medal, 26 disposals, 9 marks, 5 clearances), the dynamic and accurate Ponter (2 goals, 23 disposals), and the relentless Marinoff (21 disposals, 7 tackles).

Goldrick (20 disposals, 4 clearances, astronomical second efforts) had her best performance for the Dees, showcasing her trademark doggedness, plus some moments of real skill and class. Paxman was prolific (18 disposals, 7 marks, 4 clearances) but could have been more impactful. Colvin (12 disposals, 4 tackles) again made some impressive defensive stops though at other times was beaten. Birch (15 disposals, 5 marks) had some disappointing moments, though she never gave up under the pressure of numerous repeat entries, while Lampard was less prominent than usual in setting up play across half-back.

After being completely stymied in the first half, Daisy fought her way into the game in the second, with 16 disposals and 2 clearances, plus the unquantifiable leadership and culture-shaping that will be her eventual legacy. Mithen (13 disposals, 5 tackles) was courageous and willing to take risks but was let down by her decision-making and disposal, while players like Purcell and West took some time to get going in a high-pressure environment. Hanks (10 disposals) was down on her usual output, likely kept busy trying to counter the star-studded Crows midfield. Gay was limited by injury but was brave and determined.

Scott and Zanker were quiet, while Sherriff also had little involvement before being injured. Harris was completely overwhelmed by the class and discipline of Adelaide’s backline structure but had little help of decoys or aerial support. McNamara (17 disposals) and Bannan (1 goal, 4 marks) played with desperation and a good level of composure, while Fitzsimon, Purcell and West fought out the match hard; all will be better for the experience. L Pearce (9 disposals, 4 clearances, 9 hit outs) had a solid contribution, but the Crows were wise to her trademark plays and stifled her repeatedly.

Notably, Erin Phillips acknowledged in her post-game interview that it was the hardest, toughest contest she’d endured on a footy field. This wasn’t lip service paid in a planned speech but her raw and honest direct reaction. Our players can hold their heads up in that regard. Still, they will not be satisfied.

Great credit must go to Adelaide. We rightly refer to their ‘state team’ status compared to the intense competition for players in the Victorian pool. Yet, having the top talent isn’t the only part of success. Players need to be developed, supported and moulded into a team structure and Adelaide have certainly done that. Having said that, bring on Port Adelaide!

THE FUTURE IS NEAR

So, what next? Looking back to look forward, in the face of expansion in 2019, Melbourne rolled the dice, showing the door to several solid contributors and fan favourites to recruit youth with potential in Bannan and McNamara. We went searching for physical stoppage power in players like Purcell and West, striving to match up against teams like Adelaide. And we took a punt on Harris to level-up our forward line. Has the choice to ‘build on the run’ paid off? At certain stages of this season, it looked like all the puzzle pieces might be there, but when it counted, the Crows were able to send those pieces flying.

The second 2022 season might offer unexpected opportunities after what shapes up to be a massive league-wide shake-up through expansion. Our players now have Grand Final experience against the benchmark of the competition, which many were denied previously due to just falling short of finals (or no finals series existing, or the ludicrous conference system—never forget!). Crucially, our improvement this season was driven mainly by the continued rise of young players.

Is this the last we see of Daisy? Or Scott? Will Goldrick return to Gaelic footy, never to return? Of the rest, who will look to greener pastures in the expanding competition, lured by better playing opportunities, financial reward, plus all-important career and lifestyle factors? Our club has put its best foot forward in creating a women’s programme capable of attracting and retaining talent. The teams that stay together plus recruit creatively—to capitalise on stability and experience, plus make the best of a shallower draft pool—will have good prospects as the next phase unfolds. Go Dees!

MELBOURNE 0.0.0 1.1.7 2.2.14 2.4.16

ADELAIDE 1.1.7 2.5.17 3.5.23 4.5.29

GOALS

MELBOURNE Bannan Hore

ADELAIDE Ponter 2 Hewitt Phillips

BEST

MELBOURNE Goldrick Paxman Gay L Pearce Colvin

ADELAIDE Hatchard Marinoff Ponter Martin Allan

INJURIES

MELBOURNE Gay (knee) Sherriff (arm)

ADELAIDE Charlton (head knock) N Allen (head knock)

REPORTS

MELBOURNE Nil

ADELAIDE Nil

CROWD 16,712 at Adelaide Oval

NEXT Season 7 of AFLW, likely a late-August 2022 start date.

THE LAST WORD When the ultimate victory is earned, how sweet it will be.