THE MONKEY OFF OUR BACKS by Meggs

[Demonland 70,305]

The Crows have dominated us in recent history. A 2021 preliminary final shellacking, a wipe out (for 3 quarters) in last season’s Round 4 clash at Norwood Oval and then, of course, we lost the April 2022 Season 6 Grand Final. 

So the Dees had a Point to Prove on Friday night at Glenelg Oval, and they certainly did!

The TV coverage began “the Adelaide Crows, looking to heap further misery on the Melbourne Demons…” well NO, this Demons team had a different outcome in mind 😊

Yes, there were doubts from posters  and pundits about whether Melbourne could handle the strong midfield bodies of Marinoff, Hatchard, Randall and Jones et al.  Well, it turns out the Dees have some fantastic midfield-monsters of their own in Purcell (22 possessions), West (25), Hanks (17) and Paxy (24) and this Fab-4 more than matched their more celebrated counterparts. 

Hatchard (24) was the best of Adelaide’s midfielders. Captain Chelsea Randall (17) was next best, and she was outstanding in defence, matching up well on Tayla Harris, and instrumental when moved to the midfield. 

Other than our mids, Harris  displayed her impressive power and strength throughout the night and kicked a super important long bomb. 

Gabby Colvin’s injury replacement in young tall Talia Gilliard, demonstrated outstanding poise with her marking, spoiling and long kicking.

Melbourne had more of the footy with 267 disposals to 195, including 123 handballs to 70. Our handball skills continue to improve and form an integral part of our attacking game plan, and exponents Eliza West and Tyla Hanks possess Clarry-like hands. 

Coach Mick Stinear was full of praise for the debutants Johnson, Chaplin and Ivey.  Matthew Clarke, the Adelaide Coach, acknowledged the Dees were better in general play with Crows - 16 in hard ball gets and - 80 in uncontested possessions, unsustainable if you want to win. He also noted our strong ability to flick the ball around with handball to get out of pressure moments.

It was a perfect start to Season  7 and the Dees are now considered the new flag favourites (noting that the other “big 3” team Brisbane played on Sunsay and beat GWS Giants comfortably).

Q1

Adelaide began the game displaying incredible strengthat the contest and put the Dees on the back foot.  Ash Woodland’s opportunist early goal was reward for Adelaide’s manic pressure. 

The good news was that the Dees were absorbing the onslaught and showing calmness and willingness to counterattack, plus the Crows were not scoring. 

On one particular Dees counterattack, forward Kate Hore tried to centre the ball to Daisy, and it kept bouncing around and eventually went through the big sticks.  

Goal review technology may well have adjudicated that it was touched off the boot however in AFLW it is the goal umpire’s call.  So, a lucky one for Melbourne. 

Inaccuracy in front of goals is a long-term source of frustration for Dees supporters so it was unfortunate that the 1st quarter finished with Hore, Bannan, Heath, and then Hore again all missing gettable opportunities. 

A slight lead at quarter time 1.4.10 to 1.0.6. of 4 points.

Q2

Unfortunately Kate Hore missed another goal opportunity from straight in front early in the quarter. 

The match continued to be a frenetic high pressured game.  Both teams playing aggressive footy which was great to watch.  The tackling was awesome. 

With a seconds left to play, Fitzy grabs a loose ball,throws it on her boot kicking to a contest.  Sarah Allan wins the ball but then Bannon does just enough so her kick falls short to Tayla Harris who goes Bang! kind of Trac -like, from 40 metres.  A team-lifting goal !

Ten points up a half-time 2.5.17 - 1.1.7.

Q3

Enter Chelsea Randall into the midfield to begin the third quarter and she has an almost immediate impact.  Crows go forward and Ash Woodland kicks her 2nd goal.

Daisy goes off for treatment for a corky.

With 8:53 left on the clock Ash Woodland kicks another clever goal (her third) and the Crows take a 1-point lead. It’s game on!

The Dees lift and our superstar Hanks with her great footy nous and goal sense makes something out of nothing with a check-side six-pointer.  Dees up by five.

Birch takes a nice goal saving mark. 

The Dees’ hands under Crows’ pressure continue to impress.  Sammie Johnson getting involved. Daisy is back on.

Sammie Johnson takes a mark and kicks to the square where Lauren Pearce takes a strong mark from 10 metres out, directly in front.  In a comical moment, Pearce then proceeds to kick the ball into the woman on the mark. The ball ricochets to her namesake Daisy, who snaps it through the big sticks and meanwhile,the Crows defenders are furiously claiming it was touched. 

Eleven points up at ¾ time

Q4

First up was a ripper goal from Grand Final hero, Adelaide’s Danielle Ponter, who slammed through her goal in traffic. Impressive stuff. The Crows are a great side what a super contest. From the restart Anne Hatchard streams from the centre and launches her kick deep.  Heath tries to clear but is run down by Ponter in the pocket. Her free kick is an excellent shot but slams into the right hand post.  A lucky break for the Dees.  Upby 4.

Next up Harris tries to steamroll her way from halfback which ultimately failed but it sends an uplifting message to all her teammates.

Harris again, moments later, clunks a beauty at half forward but her kick falls short and wide.

The Dees are really fighting now.  All night our hands under pressure have been awesome. Hore makes a great tackle, winning a free near the boundary. Kate lobs the ball to the top of the square and Zanker, who hasbeen quiet tonight, takes a strong uncontested mark and goals. Dees by 11.

Fitzy misses a left foot snap for a point. 

Madi Gay is great at halfback, a good move Mick.

Paxy is then awarded a free kick with 39 seconds remaining and converts nicely from 35 metres out.  Moments later the siren sounds and the Dees have won 26:44.

Let’s get behind and support this fantastic group of women, they are playing awesome footy. 

The perfect start to Season 7. 

Go Dees!!!

MELBOURNE 1.4.10 2.5.17 4.6.30 6.8.44

ADELAIDE 1.0.6 1.1.7 3.1.19 4.2.26

GOALS

MELBOURNE Hanks Harris Hore Paxman Pearce Zanker

ADELAIDE Woodland 3 Ponter

BEST

MELBOURNE West Paxman Purcell Harris Hore Lampard

ADELAIDE Hatchard Randall Woodland Thompson Biddell Newman

INJURIES

MELBOURNE Nil

ADELAIDE Nil

REPORTS

MELBOURNE Nil

ADELAIDE Nil

CROWD TBA at ACH Group Stadium, Glenelg

NEXT WEEK

Round 2 vs North Melbourne on Friday 2 September, 2022 at 5:00pm