SLIDING DOOR MOMENTS by Whispering Jack

The much anticipated clash between the two original AFLW rivals, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs turned into a disappointing affair with the Demons running out easy 64 point winners at Casey Fields on Sunday.

The one-sided nature of the game for the in Hampson-Hardeman Cup would have been considered highly unlikely a few weeks ago when the Bulldogs were sitting undefeated after the opening four rounds. But they faced their first sliding door moment when things went awry for them against North Melbourne in losing what was a close tussle for three quarters in Week 5. They have now lost three in a row, their percentage is below 100 and they are outside of the top eight.

Sunday’s game was played in breezy conditions and the home side got the early break with an opportunist goal to Tayla Harris. The Bulldogs defended strongly against the wind to restrict the Demons to one further point for the opening term despite the fact that they held an overwhelming 12 - 1 advantage in inside 50 entries.

When Sarah Hartwig goaled in the opening minute of the second quarter, it was time for another sliding door moment. The Bulldogs were down by a single point and they had almost a full term with the wind behind them. If things went well, they could establish a decent lead by half time and then, who knows?

Again, things went badly wrong for them.

Undeterred, the Demons went into attack despite the breeze. They regained their composure immediately, the defence led by Libby Birch, Shelley Heath and Sinead Goldrick were impenetrable and the team was first to the ball. They ran in waves moving the ball with class by hand or by foot and soon they were back on the scoreboard. Goals flowed to Alyssa Bannan and Eliza West and but for some poor kicking for goal they would already have been home and hosed by half time.

Just before half time, another possible sliding door moment occurred. Karen Paxman, easily best on ground to that stage, was involved in a friendly fire head clash with ruck Lauren Pearce. It was a fierce crash with both of them going full tilt at the ball. Would the Bulldogs grab the opportunity to come back while the two vital cogs in the Demon lineup came off for concussion tests?

No need to worry.

In their absence the Demons went further ahead with a goal after siren from Eden Zanker courtesy of a Sarah Lampard pass. Paxman and Pearce were cleared of concussion although latter’s place in the ruck was assumed by Harris while the former continued on her merry way after the break. The Demons had scored an unanswered 3 goals 7 against the breeze and the doors were closed to a Bulldog revival. The half time inside 50 count said it all - 23 to 3.

The smashing continued unabated with West and Olivia Purcell controlling the midfield, Bannan marking and kicking goals at will, Harris controlling the air and Kate Hore kicking one in her 50th game.

The 64 point winning margin put the Demons within close range percentage wise of Brisbane and Adelaide who meet next week while Melbourne travels to Metricon Stadium for a Saturday evening assignment against Gold Coast who snuck into the top eight this week and will be desperate to stay there.

MELBOURNE 1.1.7 4.8.32 6.9.45 10.13.73

WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.0.0 1.0.6 1.1.7 1.3.9

GOALS

MELBOURNE Bannan 3 Harris Zanker 2 Duffy Hore West

WESTERN BULLDOGS Hartwig

BEST

MELBOURNE Paxman West Goldrick Purcell

WESTERN BULLDOGS Blackburn Ferres Edmonds Grant

INJURIES

MELBOURNE Paxman (head knock) L Pearce (head knock)

WESTERN BULLDOGS Nil

REPORTS

MELBOURNE Nil

WESTERN BULLDOGS Nil

CROWD 2,154 at Casey Fields