HEAD TO THE G by Meggs

[Demonland 73,230]

After knocking off reigning champs Adelaide by 18 points last week, the Dees next encounter is a massive clash at the ‘G on Friday night against the highly rated North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos.

The 5pm match is a curtain-raiser to the AFL Qualifying Final between Melbourne and Sydney and Meggs would encourage all Dees supporters to get their early and support our women.

This game promises to showcase two of the more skilled teams in AFLW.  Both teams are strong at the contest and play an attractive attacking game style. 

At Norwood Oval last week, our midfield of West, Purcell, Paxy and Hanks was awesome. However, North has a strong midfield depth too. Players like Jammin Jazzy Garner, the prolific Ash Riddell, young Mia King (3rd in the 2022 Rising Star), Ellie Gavalas, and top ruck Emma King are well credentialled.  They have ex defender Randall, who is now a winner up forward kicking 3 goals last week in their R1 defeat of Gold Coast (40:14), and skipper, Emma Kearney, a defensive general.  Question: will Shelley Heath tag Kearns again? 

To recap the offseason, key changes to each teams list from Season 6 include:

MELBOURNE

• lost Parry and Scott to Geelong, Tarrant to Sydney, Simmons and Petrevski to WCE and Magee went home to Ireland.  McNamara and Colvin are out for the season.

• new players who debuted in Round 1 were utility Ivey from Geelong, and recruits from Casey VFLW Chaplin and Johnson.  Other new players yet to play a game are sharpshooter Duffy from Fremantle, key back Wilson from Carlton and young Irish Gaelic player Mackin. 

NORTH

• lost Kashy, Duffin and Gilroy to Hawthorn, Bannister to Essendon, and Bateman to WB

• gained Irish duo O’Shea and Wall

Most of our established stars played well last week, with only Bannan and Zanker relatively quiet. Tahlia Gillard, in only her 4th game, looks at home in defence and a more than handy replacement for the injured Gaby Colvin.  Here’s hoping Kate Hore found her kicking boots during the week, we’d all love to see a big game from her. 
No injuries from our last game. Goldie’s knee is likely to keep her out until Round 3 or 4. 

Dees Coach Mick Stinear was really pleased with our start to the season, especially our performance under the physical pressure of Adelaide.  Let’s hope they do it again tomorrow. 
At our spiritual home, amazingly our third game at the ‘G this year, we should get the job done.

Melbourne by 21 points
 
THE GAME

Melbourne v Kangaroos at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, on Friday 2 September 2022 at 5:00pm (Melbourne time)
 
HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 3 wins North 1 wins
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground Melbourne 0 wins  North 0 wins
The Coaches Stinear 2 wins Crocker 0 wins
 
MEDIA

TV live on 7mate and Kayo. Check your local guides.

Radio - check your local guides.
 
THE LAST TIME THEY MET 

Melbourne 4.3 (27) defeated Kangaroos 2.5 (17) at Casey Fields, 26 February 2022

The Dees jumped to 2nd on the ladder following this Round 8 clash with North Melbourne.  Three 50 metre penalties resulted in 2 Demon goals after half time which had a big say in our win.  Birch, Goldrick and Gillard were strong in defence while Paxy (28 possessions) and Mithen (27, six tackles) were prolific.  Most impressive for the Dees was Tayla Harris with her 2 goals and her mark of the year contender over Jas Ferguson.  Heath tagged Emma Kearney in another successful task-oriented assignment from coach Mick Stinear.  It was a good four-quarter effort, a tight, tough contest in typical windy conditions at Casey Fields, our home and fortress.

Injury List: Round 2

Sinead Goldrick - knee  | 1-2 weeks
Georgia Gall - foot  | 6-8 weeks
Gab Colvin - knee  | season
Eliza McNamara back  | season
Rhi Watt - knee  | season