RUN UNBEATEN by Meggs

Posted September 18, 20231 yr

The Demons withstood a spirited challenge from the Western Bulldogs in the 10th anniversary of the Hampson-Hardeman Cup to run away with it in the last quarter and take their unbeaten run to 12 wins on the trot, an AFLW record.

The Doggies were tenacious and their losing score of 6.5.41 was the highest score against Melbourne since their last loss against Brisbane in Round 4 on 18 September 2022.

With the sad passing of AFL football legend Ronald Dale Barassi, champion player and coaching maestro, and Friday night’s shattering 2-point semi-final loss to Carlton by the men’s team, we Demon supporters needed something to lift our spirits.

Meggs hopes our star AFLW team’s 42-point, entertaining, hard-fought victory at the Field of Dreams, Casey Fields, was cathartic for you too.

Our key leaders Kate Hore and Tyla Hanks continue their weekly displays of sublime footy nous and skill execution. Improvement builds across the entire playing group and our depth of personnel and elite fitness levels are the envy of the league. Coach Mick mentioned there is some work to do on our defence. Some would agree.

The Bulldogs were terrific with their endeavour, led by star captain Ellie Blackburn and trailed by only eight points midway through the third quarter. Melbourne’s system, fitness and ability to execute our trademark run and carry game style saw the Dees win easily in the end. It was a physical game and the notorious Casey windy conditions made skill execution difficult.

Melbourne had 16 players with more than ten possessions displaying the even spread of contribution whereas by comparison the Bulldogs had only ten players.

Too many positives to mention everyone but a few:

Eliza McNamara is building nicely in her comeback from injury. Loz Pearce has started this season very strongly and her ruck support, young Campbell, looks promising. Tayla Harris had a terrific game and Macken keeps learning, starting at a few centre bounces.

The Dees remain second on the ladder after three games on percentage and take on the Hawks away next week. Melbourne will start favourite, but the problem with building a winning streak is the implied pressure of an unbeaten run.

In terms of the game:

Q1 From the outset such intensity from the Bulldogs.The Dees win a contested ball in the centre and then execute their trademark run and carry. Harris Hore, Purcell and finally Hanks involved, who side steps and pinpoint passes to Mithen. Lily goes back and goals for Melbourne’s first score.

Moments later Hore gets high-tackled in front of goal and kicks our second from her freekick.

Next Mackin kicks deep inside the 50 to Bannan, who instinctively moves to her right to score but is then tackled by two ferocious Dogs, her shot goes wide but now she’s down in pain. Sadly, Bannan’s day is done.

On the last play of the quarter Eliza Mac puts Hore under pressure with her handball and Deanna Berry picks it up and slams it through from 40 metres. Nice goal, she had missed with her two previous attempts.

¼ time: Dees 2.3.15 Dogs 1.2.8

Q2 Again, real intensity from the Bulldogs. Ellie Blackburn leads her team well.

Halfway through the quarter Hanksy wins a free and passes to Paxy in a better position who goals.

Repeated forward entries and Sherriff kicks a nice opportunist’s goal.

Dogs keeping up the effort and stalwart Kirsty Lamb kicks a lovely left foot goal from a throw in.

Mick has moved Heath on to Ellie B. Tough gig.

Young Rylie Wilcox takes a ripper mark over Eliza Mac and kicks a nice goal.

½ time: Dees 5.7.37 Dogs 3.3.21

Q3 The Bulldogs team intensity continues.

Kirsty Lamb, without looking, kicks a miracle goal and it’s a 10-point game.

Harris kicks long to Gay who goals.

Gillard drops a mark she should have taken, McLoed then runs into an open goal and it’s an 8-point game.

From the ensuing centre bounce the Dees win the clearance and Zanker gets on the end for a quick reply. We make it look easy at times.

Some more magic from our new forward, Maddi Gay, who gives and gets from Sherriff to kick a rippa goal on the run, her second for the day.

Some more confusion from our backs allows McFarlane to run on to a bouncing ball and kick a Dogs goal. ¾ time: Dees 8.7.55 Dogs 6.5.35

Q4 Lily Mithen kicks a nice goal on the run to begin. That’s 2 today. Go Lil.

Next Eliza MacNamara kicks a ripping inside 50 low drop punt to hit Kate Hore, lace out.

It’s Tayla Harris’ turn to pinpoint Zanker inside 50. Edo bananas a goal on her leftie.

Dogs are tiring, the team intensity has waned. Dees running away with it.

Hanksy finds Paxy who long bombs her second goal. The siren sounds and it’s a convincing 42-point win. Three zip in 2023.

Coaches and next week

Melbourne Coach Mick Stinear was pleased with the win in tricky conditions. We were able to execute our run and carry game to put on good score. He noted there were defensive lapses during the match, with the Dogs scoring more freely than he would have liked. He said Alyssa Bannan has a sprained ankle. Optimistically she’ll be right for next week, at worst 1-2 weeks.

Bulldogs coach Nathan Burke was proud of his team’s four-quarter effort and intensity around the contest. He feels Melbourne are the best team going around by a fair way. He highlighted that pre-season injuries have affected the Dogs overall match fitness but sees promising signs ahead.

Next week, the Demons take on the Hawks at Kinetic Stadium (Friday, September 22 at 5:05pm).

MELBOURNE 2.3.15 5.7.37 8.7.55 12.11.83

WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.2.8 3.3.21 6.5.41 6.5.41

GOALS

MELBOURNE Gay Hore Mithen Paxman Zanker 2 Hanks Sherriff

WESTERN BULLDOGS Lamb 2 Berry McFarlane McLeod Wilcox

BEST

MELBOURNE Hanks McNamara Hore Pearce Gay Paxman

WESTERN BULLDOGS Blackburn Lynch Lamb Pritchard Wilcox

INJURIES

MELBOURNE Bannan (ankle) Gay (hip)

WESTERN BULLDOGS Wilcox (knee)