MISSED IT BY THAT MUCH by Meggs

[Demonland 46,320]

Congratulations to Daisy’s Dees on a huge 78-point one-sided win against West Coast in challenging windy and wet conditions at Casey Fields.  
 
The banner celebrating Sarah Lampard’s 50 games was a victim of the wind, but nonetheless Lampy received a warm round of applause from the parochial crowd in attendance.
 
Melbourne has the double-chance and is excited about its chances in the Season 7 AFLW finals. If this means the Grand Final is played at Metricon and the Demond make it, then they will be ready. Finishing the home and away season in second position was a great result.
 
So why does a 78-point win feel like a 1-point loss?  

Well, scoring that extra point would have secured the minor premiership and theoretically,  a home grand final.

Missed by that much.
 
After Brisbane demolished Collingwood by 45 points on Friday night, most pundits and supporters regarded Melbourne’s chances of being minor premiers as a longshot. The Coach did too.
 
However, the defensive set up proved impassable. It has been great for several weeks, and this is the fourth match in a row where Melbourne has kept the opposition scoreless in the first term.  
 
West Coast only scored a single point for the entire match, the equal lowest score in AFLW history (It was still one too many!). They had a miserable 14 inside-fifty entries for the match.  
 
The girls were excellent and unrelenting.  Tayla Harris’s ruck work and long kicking were outstanding. Purcell, West, Mithen, and Paxman were again really strong around the contest and spreading well.  
 
And a big shout out to @Deearmy during that last quarter.  There was wild cheering for each goal, and urging of the team to score in those final desperate minutes. Alas, it was not to be, missing by a miniscule 0.3%.  
 
Let’s not dwell on it.  The truth is, there were several gettable shots they missed over the day (and in recent weeks). It was windy all day and it rained heavily during the main break.  Tough conditions to score big.  
 
Q1

Five minutes in, Paxy kicks the first major of the day.   
 
Lampy is getting some early touches in her milestone game.  
 
The Dees are dominating but not making the most of their chances.  
 
Finally, Meg Fitzsimon nails a great snap on her left.  Her team rally around her.
 
Next, Purcell snaps truly in traffic after some nice work from Paxy. This game is all one-way traffic.  
 
At quarter time Melbourne 3.5.23 to West Coast 0.0.0 (Melb 251.6% v Bris 282.4%)
 
Q2

West Coast playing much better to start the second quarter with the first four inside fifties. Melbourne defends strongly.  
 
It’s great to see Maddison Gay out there. Her experience, toughness and skillset will be important against the top teams in finals.
 
Bannan kicks the first second quarter goal after Tayla Harris marks and handballs to her in the goal square.
 
Zanker juggles a contested mark then goes back and kicks a beauty from 40 metres.
 
Sheriff hits the post. Bad luck Casey.
 
We keep attacking for the remainder of the quarter but are unable to convert our opportunities.
 
Here comes the rain.
 
At half time Melbourne 5.8.38 to West Coast 0.1.1. (Melb 251.6% v Bris 282.4%)
 
Q3

It’s slippery out there now, still windy and the lights are on.  And the PA doesn’t work!
 
Melbourne continue their domination and Kate Hore marks and makes no mistake from directly in front.  
 
To us supporters standing at the Clyde end, a clever Daisy Pearce snap on the run appears to be a goal. However, the goal umpire immediately calls it a behind. Replays seem to support the view that it was probably a goal.  
 
Blaithin Mackin runs on to a perfectly weighted handball from Hore and kicks an impressive goal. All her team mob her as they know it’s her first career goal. Well done B.
 
At three-quarter time Melbourne 7.12.54 to West Coast 0.1.1. (Melb 268.5% v Bris 282.4%)
 
Q4

While the match result is a foregone conclusion, interest turns to whether the Dees can score 26 points to secure the minor premiership.  
 
Hanks marks and kicks the first of the last.   Closely followed by Kate Hore converting a free kick with a banana from the boundary line.  The tempo is rising as Melbourne plays on at all costs.
 
Fitzy, on her non-preferred foot, hits up Zanker whose set shot delivers another goal.
 
Harris is having a great last quarter. Her booming kick from halfback sets up an opportunity for Shelley Heath to run on to and she slots the goal.
 
Loz Pearce snaps for a point and we are into the final minute.
 
Daisy marks within range of goal but unwittingly centres the ball instead of trying to score and it’s cleared by West Coast.
 
The final siren sounds and it’s a 78-point thumping victory to Melbourne and the double chance.
 
Melbourne 11.13.79 to West Coast 0.1.1. (Melb 282.1% v Bris 282.4%)
 
The Coaches and next week:

Melbourne Coach Mick Stinear was really content to achieve a top 2 finish and the double chance.  He admitted the minor premiership was not a key coaching focus.
 
He wanted the players to continue to be in the moment. It was a strong defensive  performance again.  Mick praised Libby Birch for her game, said Sinead Goldrick did really well and that Maddi Gay was excellent in her return from injury.  
Michael Prior was not particularly glowing about his charge’s efforts. The gap was huge he said.  He will be gobsmacked if young star Ella Roberts does not win a Rising Star nominee this week.  He also flagged that post-season exit meetings will be brutal for some of his players.
 
The Demons play reigning premiers Adelaide on Friday Night in the Qualifying Final at Ikon Park which we  hope continues to be a happy hunting ground for them.

Come along if you can and support our women.
 
Go Dees!!!

MELBOURNE 3.5.23 5.8.38 7.12.54 11.13.79

WEST COAST EAGLES 0.0.0 0.1.1 0.1.1 0.1.1

GOALS

MELBOURNE Hore Zanker 2 Bannan Fitzsimon Hanks Heath Mackin Paxman Purcell

WEST COAST EAGLES Nil

BEST

MELBOURNE Paxman Purcell Birch Hore Mithen

WEST COAST EAGLES Thomas Roberts McCarthy Lakay

INJURIES

MELBOURNE Nil

WEST COAST EAGLES Swanston (hamstring)

REPORTS

MELBOURNE Nil

WEST COAST EAGLES Nil

CROWD 726 at Casey Fields