https://twitter.com/MelbourneAFLW/status/1651755240922968064?s=20

On 4/28/2023 at 11:58 AM, Demonland said:

 

https://twitter.com/MelbourneAFLW/status/1651758064?s=20

...and in the meantime, the Premiers front up as 2022 Victorian Sport Awards Team of the Year finalists on 7 June.

Something else they're 2023 favourites in, surely.

Edited May 19, 20231 yr by Timothy Reddan-A'Blew

Pre-season starts today! A bit of news here and there-

Interview with Lily Mithen, commenting on the upcoming season, the stability of the list and the next group of leaders:

https://www.womens.afl/news/119677/dees-go-from-hunters-to-hunted-as-flag-defence-starts

Another article notes that:

"Melbourne's Irish sisters Blaithin and Aimee Mackin won't hit Australian shores until mid-August, as they represent their County Armagh in the All-Ireland Championship".

Some interesting info here about the state of things regarding training times. https://www.womens.afl/news/119682

West Coast and Melbourne began having a daytime training session last year, with most other clubs now following. More players are now in part-time rather than full-time work/study, as a result of the pay increase last season and the focus on recruitment of younger players.

Thanks to Kev's training reports, I'm also aware that in the past few weeks a couple of AFLW players have joined the men's training for a few sessions. I have no idea if this is happening at other clubs but wouldn't be surprised if it's another example of Melbourne leading the way and using a 'one-club' approach.

Max Gawn on AFLW season length (still TBA for season 2023):

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-fans-want-more-gawn-backs-frustrated-aflw-players-call-for-longer-season-20230527-p5dbqu.html

And here's a not especially surprising stat:

 

Edited May 29, 20231 yr by Dees_In_October

Mini rant coming up

Yesterday the AFL announced the dates for next years SA Gather Round. This is at a time when the AFLW season is yet to be finalised, even though the players are in pre-season training and the first game is slated to start in just over two months. 
Imagine being an AFLW player who has a second job but you can’t tell your employee what days you’ll need off (no fixture) or how many (no fixture length). 
They also don’t know how much they’ll be paid let alone the type of finals system they’ll be playing under

After not even having a ground booked for the Grand Final last season you’d think the AFL may have been shamed into getting their [censored] together but unfortunately no. 
There is now even talk of a players strike if this isn’t sorted soon https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-10/lack-progress-expanded-schedule-threat-aflw-strike/102465960 and you can understand the frustration 

Pull your finger out AFL and treat the comp and these women with the respect they deserve 

20 minutes ago, FarNorthernD said:

Pull your finger out AFL and treat the comp and these women with the respect they deserve 

It seems the AFL are treating it as though the players should be grateful to have a comp...

1 hour ago, FarNorthernD said:

Mini rant coming up

Yesterday the AFL announced the dates for next years SA Gather Round. This is at a time when the AFLW season is yet to be finalised, even though the players are in pre-season training and the first game is slated to start in just over two months. 
Imagine being an AFLW player who has a second job but you can’t tell your employee what days you’ll need off (no fixture) or how many (no fixture length). 
They also don’t know how much they’ll be paid let alone the type of finals system they’ll be playing under

After not even having a ground booked for the Grand Final last season you’d think the AFL may have been shamed into getting their [censored] together but unfortunately no. 
There is now even talk of a players strike if this isn’t sorted soon https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-10/lack-progress-expanded-schedule-threat-aflw-strike/102465960 and you can understand the frustration 

Pull your finger out AFL and treat the comp and these women with the respect they deserve 

The AFL seems to have no shame whatsoever.

Imagine the uproar if this was the case with the men's comp?

What does it say to the women?

The grand final venue decision was pretty stupid last year.

The laws of the game and how they're applied, the match review process and suspensions, the Hawthorn investigation, a new stadium in Hobart when there's already one there and taking huge amounts of money from betting companies is all just a big mess.

The club's spend a lot of time working on improving culture yet they're governed by an organisation that seems to be run like a gold coast bucks party.

Btw That's so cool that some of the women are training with the blokes.

Looking forward to seeing another flag this year if the granny isn't held in Nevada as some sort of cross promotional betting agency exhibition match.

On 5/19/2023 at 12:54 PM, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

...and in the meantime, the Premiers front up as 2022 Victorian Sport Awards Team of the Year finalists on 7 June.

Something else they're 2023 favourites in, surely.

Pipped by the Anglesea SLSC (deserved recognition, including on behalf of all the SLSCs and LSCs).

However, this:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://sport.vic.gov.au/news/articles/neale-daniher-ao-recipient-of-2022-outstanding-contribution-to-victorian-sport-award%23:~:text%3DNeale%20Daniher%20AO%20recipient%20of%202022%20Outstanding%20Contribution%20to%20Victorian%20Sport%20Award,-Share%20this%20page%26text%3DCongratulations%20to%20football%20legend%20and,Contribution%20to%20Victorian%20Sport%20Award.&ved=2ahUKEwiF3tzg79D_AhWds1YBHQXtA6cQFnoECAwQBQ&usg=AOvVaw0Y36Fj8E4emUShLArkz0AN

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-19/aflw-season-length-still-being-negotiated-incoming-afl-chief/102497688

This from Andrew Dillon is particularly galling as an excuse for not adding an extra two H&A games this season (which is what the AFLPA is asking for):

"But we also want to have a three to five-year vision about how we expand the competition."

Yeah, that's literally what the players and fans have been crying out for since at least 2019. A plan that lays out how many games will be added year on year, not just a wishy washy end goal. Yet now that lack of a plan is suddenly a reason to hold back on adding a couple of games? Right.

10 H&A rounds in an 18-team competition is frankly ridiculous. The longer it continues, the wider the gulf will become between the best and the rest. Which will lead to more intervention in the draft and trading rules to artificially bring the best back to the pack. Really these are just snowballing problems from the AFL's previous obsession with getting to 18 teams ASAP...

Just like the Grand Final venue was flagged as a potential problem MONTHS before they finally made the last-minute decision, the need to get started on these negotiations ASAP was also raised by many straight after last season, foreseeing the current situation. Likely it's more complex being a joint negotiation and needing to wait for TV rights to be sorted, but still. Completely foreseeable.

In better preseason news, I tuned in to watch some Gaelic footy on the weekend, hoping to catch a look our new recruit in Aimee Mackin. And, of course, to see Blaithin in her native sport. Their team, Armagh, were dominant for much of the game before holding off a fast-finishing Laois. Blaithin was a key player in the scoring chain and got a couple of points herself - she loves to have a crack from long range, which is definitely something I see in coming into her Aussie Rules game as she gets more experience. Aimee is coming back from injury and was only subbed into the game near the end. She definitely has a presence and is clearly spoken of with respect by the commentators, which is saying something as they're very understated in how they call the game, it's quite refreshing actually!

Meanwhile the rest of the squad were at preseason camp down at Lorne. The winners of some kind of trail running challenge that involved dress-ups were the "pig" team comprising Hore, Purcell, Wilson and Zanker. No surprises - that's a highly competitive bunch.

Great to see Guy Rigoni's daughter Jemma already running around with the AFLW Demons. He told me 5 yrs ago she was one to watch. Has the desire, skills and toughness.

3 hours ago, dworship said:

Great to see Guy Rigoni's daughter Jemma already running around with the AFLW Demons. He told me 5 yrs ago she was one to watch. Has the desire, skills and toughness.

Glad to hear this, after some games for Casey this season. Gets a mention here:

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2023/07/05/aflw-u18s-surprise-packets-allies-vs-vic-metro/

Good interview with Tyla Hanks - future captain, I reckon!

https://www.womens.afl/news/120478?_ga=2.32986622.1772807141.1688720886-182446412.1688720886

1.07 – The only girl at Nar Nar Goon Auskick

5.42 – The stacked 2018 AFLW Draft

7.23 – Adjusting to playing against women as a small player

10.52 – AFLW Rising Star win in 2021, Hanks' third season

13.10 – That Bunnings ad

14.37 – Developing belief and leadership

17.30 – Season seven premiership

22.20 – The influence of Mick Stinear

24.45 – Life beyond Daisy Pearce

28.00 – Juggling AFLW with teaching year 11 PE

30.27 – Leadership with Hanks

Just remembered to check the Gaelic results. Armagh was knocked out last weekend at the Quarter Finals stage. So that's a shame, but maybe frees up the Mackins to join AFLW preseason a little earlier than otherwise.

Love this. Makes sense to maximise resources like Choco and if we can do it across the club, why not:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CvTYgjshREF/?img_index=1

I’m on my way to Casey Fields right now. Why? Well, I’m glad I asked. 😁

The AFLW team photo shoot takes place this morning and although I’ve never played footy in my life, I get to be in it! Yay! 🥳

❤️💙

Couple of updates from the socials the last few days:

- Eliza McNamara has been cleared to play in the practice match this Saturday, completing her recovery from that nasty spinal fracture last year

- Sammie Johnson is back training after giving birth earlier in the year and could be ready to go in 3-4 weeks

- The Mackins have arrived from Northern Ireland

 

Tickets are on sale for all 10 H&A rounds this Thursday, 10am for members, 2pm for general public:

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1398353/tickets-on-sale-aflw-countdown

Photo day and training pics here:

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/albums/1398876/aflw-gallery-from-photo-day-to-the-track?modal=true&type=gallery&playlistId=1398876&playlistSize=10

Practice match report from the MFC website:

MELBOURNE has triumphed in its first hit-out of the 2023 pre-season. 

The Dees travelled to IKON Park on Saturday to face the Blues in their opening practice match of their pre-season campaign, sealing a win at 5.5 (35) to 2.2 (14).

Newly appointed captain Kate Hore kicked three goals in the match-sim and was quick to show her leadership on-ground, while winger Eliza McNamara was also in-form on return from her season-ending injury in 2022. 

Tyla Hanks and Megan Fitzsimon both made scoreboard impact kicking a goal apiece, with Charlotte Wilson and Sinead Goldrick impressing down back. 

Defender Shelley Heath reviewed the initial hit-out and said that despite a shaky opening quarter, the group was able to hit some rhythm in the second half. 

"We started off a bit slow," Heath said. 

"We had to get use to playing alongside each other again, we were trying out our game style and had lots of different types of playing coming in and out.

"But after that first quarter, we eventually found our feet and started to play the way we wanted." 

Heath highlighted the work of her teammates, in particular the efforts of young Demon Georgia Campbell who impressed in her various roles across the ground. 

"Georgia did really well in her new role in the ruck," Heath said.

"I thought she competed really well, laid tackles, offered plenty of follow-up at ground level to her ruck work, took a good couple of marks and I think overall she's really stepping well into that ruck position."

I’m on my way to the Dees AFLW Season Launch. The last time I partied with these girls I ended up with a broken foot (platforms/uneven ground/drunk af). There will be NO REPEAT of such silliness tonight… I’m not wearing platforms. 😂

On 8/14/2023 at 5:53 PM, WalkingCivilWar said:

I’m on my way to the Dees AFLW Season Launch. The last time I partied with these girls I ended up with a broken foot (platforms/uneven ground/drunk af). There will be NO REPEAT of such silliness tonight… I’m not wearing platforms. 😂

How did it go WCW? News? Vibe? Did you leave the night injury free?

2 minutes ago, FarNorthernD said:

How did it go WCW? News? Vibe? Did you leave the night injury free?

The vibe was incredible… the confidence and positivity was almost tangible. The girls are itching to get the season underway and their collective energy was highly infectious.

The jumper presentation was so much fun. The girls were cheered loudly as they came on stage to (very proudly) receive their guernsey.

Kate spoke so well (as she always does) as did Katie, our new captain, and Hanksy, our new VC, our Club is in great hands! Daisy wasn’t there but the love for her was. Everyone spoke glowingly of her with the praise she so genuinely deserves. Mick, as humble and unassuming as always, instilled this insane feeling of assuredness and you can see why the girls all love and respect him. 

We watched clips of some of the action from last season, as well as an awesome presentation on what the Demon Spirit means and how it’s what spurred the girls on to the ultimate glory last season. 🏆❤️💙

The win over Carlton on Saturday in the first praccy match of season 8 elevated the mood even more.

This Saturday’s praccy vs Hawthorn is at Casey at 2:05pm. First time playing the Hawks, it’ll be interesting to see how it goes.

We’ll be putting on a BBQ before the match, because death, taxes etc.  😁 

It would be AWESOME to see as many people as possible there to support our amazing girls!!!

Personal injury report: no broken bones this time, but a hangover that’d drop a horse. 🥴 

Further on the point of this Saturday’s W practice match at Casey…

Our girls deserve the love and support of all of us. They are incredibly talented and passionate and give it their absolute all each and every match. They won us a premiership! Support in the form of spectators is priceless. Yeah, the season proper doesn’t kick off ‘til September but running out this Saturday to a decent sized crowd of supporters would mean everything to them.

Personally I travel to Casey on PT which takes a little over three hours, one way. Not complaining by any stretch, I choose to be there for the girls, they deserve our support as much as the boys do. My point is, if you’ve got nothing on this Saturday arvo and you live relatively close to Casey Fields, please consider attending. ❤️💙

Edited August 15, 20231 yr by WalkingCivilWar
Realised I could’ve saved my self some keystrokes by just posting the above pic 🙄

37 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Further on the point of this Saturday’s W practice match at Casey…

Our girls deserve the love and support of all of us. They are incredibly talented and passionate and give it their absolute all each and every match. They won us a premiership! Support in the form of spectators is priceless. Yeah, the season proper doesn’t kick off ‘til September but running out this Saturday to a decent sized crowd of supporters would mean everything to them.

Personally I travel to Casey on PT which takes a little over three hours, one way. Not complaining by any stretch, I choose to be there for the girls, they deserve our support as much as the boys do. My point is, if you’ve got nothing on this Saturday arvo and you live relatively close to Casey Fields, please consider attending. ❤️💙

Loved those photos on insta of you and the girls WCW.

Exciting (too short) season ahead.

Link to the Livestream would be cool if anyone sees it buried on the AFL site.

On 7/31/2023 at 3:36 PM, Dees_In_October said:

Love this. Makes sense to maximise resources like Choco and if we can do it across the club, why not:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CvTYgjshREF/?img_index=1

Totally agree.

I'm a firm believer that Mick Stinnear should be heavily involved with the blokes as well.

The culture he's built with our women's team is sensational 

1 hour ago, Brownie said:

Loved those photos on insta of you and the girls WCW.

Exciting (too short) season ahead.

Link to the Livestream would be cool if anyone sees it buried on the AFL site.

We had so much fun with them. They’re so easy-going and have all the time in the world for us. Sometimes with the men’s events you kinda know they’re engaging because they have to, and that’s ok. But with the girls there’s none of that; they genuinely enjoy hanging with us. So proud of this group of champions. ❤️💙

PS: you’re right about Mick. He has this amazing relationship with the players, they adore him. He’s getting the very best out of them and they’re all so buoyant and confident. It was such a great experience to see them all together in that environment. Love ‘em all.