Last Saturday’s crushing loss to Fremantle, after being three goals ahead at three quarter time, should be motivation enough to bounce back for this very winnable Round 5 clash at Windy Hill.

A first-time venue for the Melbourne AFLW team, this should be a familiar suburban, windy, footy environment for the players.  

Essendon were brave and competitive last week against ladder leader Adelaide at Sturt’s home ground.

A familiar name, Maddison Gay, was the Bombers best player with a game-high 23 disposals showing off her intercepts and precise kicking.

The only Bomber to earn a coaches vote in the 33-point defeat.  

Watching Essendon, they have a good midfield with another Madison, Prespakis, Georgia Nanscawen, Steph Cain and quick players such as ex Blue Georgia Gee and Sophie Van De Heuvel.  

Former Casey player Steph Wales is a developing mobile ruck but has only limited support.

The Demons and Bombers have won only one game each this season and sit 14th and 15th on the ladder respectively.

An understatement that Friday’s clash is a ‘must-win’ game for both teams.

Selection this week

The injury list expanded with additions of Grace Beasley (ACL), Eden Zanker (Knee) and Blaithin Mackin (Calf).  Paxy Paxman and speedster Jemma Rigoni are listed a ‘test’so both could be available.

The Club announced that ex Port Adelaide player Lily Johnson will debut for the red and blue.  She has trained with the backs and looked promising in her preseason work.

With limited options available expect anyone fit to be seriously considered for selection.

Essendon has been missing their talisman captain Bonnie Toogood for several weeks but by comparison the Bombersare close to full strength.

Meggs view

Mick hinted that this season, the workload is not being shared effectively amongst his playing group.  

Eliza McNamara played her best game for the Dees last week and has been excellent all year, as has Sinead Goldrick. Together with Kate Hore they continue to work so hard to lift their team.

Maeve Chaplin has been a real stalwart in defence and her attack, intercept marking and kicking have been highlights.  Hanksy improved her output last week and Campbell is slowly grasping the number one ruck mantle.

With Edo out, youngster Georgia Gall becomes our primary lead up forward holding out her dukes, with Alyssia Pisano buzzing around crumbing for goals.

Wotherspoon is wasted at half forward.  She is strong and battle-ready, give her some midfield rotations Mick.

Essendon will be highly competitive on Friday, but Melbourne has aces such as Hore and Hanks.  

If enough Demon teammates step up, share the burden, win the contests and execute skills under pressure, we will win this.  

Melbourne to defuse the Bombers this week.  Go Dees!

Melbourne by 13 points

THE GAME

Round 5: Melbourne v Essendon Friday 27 September 2024 at 2:05pm (Melbourne time)

Windy Hill, Melbourne - Wurundjeri

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 1 win Essendon 0 wins

At Windy Hill Melbourne 0 wins Essendon 0 wins

The Coaches Stinear 1 win Wood 0 wins

MEDIA 

TV - Fox Footy, Kayo.  

Mobile – AFL Live Official App

THE LAST TIME THEY MET - Season 7 Round 9

Melbourne 7.8 (50) defeated Essendon 1.3 (9) at Casey Fields, 23 October 2022

MELBOURNE 2.2 4.2 7.5 7.8 (50)

ESSENDON 0.0 1.3 1.3 1.3 (9)

With momentum building towards a Top 2 finish, the Demons’ superior skills, and 4-quarter effort produced a solid 41-point win in tricky windy conditions.

Coach Mick Stinear was pleased with his team’s intensity and competitiveness.  He praised defenders Shelley Heath, young key back Tahlia Gillard and the emerging defender Maeve Chaplin.

Paxy led the way with a goal and 24 disposals (10 of which were contested), while Kate Hore kicked 3 goals and Alyssa Bannan kicked 2.

GOALS

MELBOURNE Hore 3, Bannan 2, Paxman, Zanker

ESSENDON Phillips

BEST

MELBOURNE Paxman, Heath, Gillard, West, Hore

ESSENDON Philips, Prespakis, Vogt, Marshall

INJURIES

MELBOURNE Nil

ESSENDON Nil

CROWD 1,518 at Casey Fields

THE TEAMS 

MELBOURNE  

B Colvin Gillard
HB Chaplin Heath Goldrick
C McNamara Hanks Fitzsimon
HF Gall Hore Wotherspoon
F Bannan Pisano
FOLL Campbell Mithen Lampard
I/C Hill Johnson Paxman Taylor Watt
EMG Casey D'Arcy Madigan

IN Johnson Paxman

OUT B Mackin (calf) Zanker (knee)

ESSENDON

B Clarke Van Loon
HB Van De Heuvel Gamble Morcom
C Keaney Prespakis Gaylor
HF Bannister Gee Gay
F Alexander Scott
FOLL Wales Nanscawen Cain
I/C Jacques Radford Vogt Walker
EMG Dyke Williamson Adams

NO CHANGE 

Injury List: Round 5

Melbourne

Paxy Paxman Foot Test
Jemma Rigoni   Groin Test
Saraid Taylor   Calf 1 - 2 weeks
Olivia Purcell Face 3 - 4 weeks
Lauren Pearce Wrist 4 weeks 
Blaithin Mackin Calf 3 - 5 weeks
Eden Zanker Knee TBC
Grace Beasley ACL Season
Tayla Harris Shoulder Season
Jacinta Hose ACL Season
Aimee Mackin  ACL Season

Essendon

Emily Gough Calf 2 weeks
Bonnie Toogood MCL 2-4 weeks Brooke Brown Calf 3 weeks

Now that is what I call an injury list.

Go Demons

I'm at the game now and Judd McVee and sitting next to knuckles is Harley Reid. Will provide more updates after the match. 

14 minutes ago, Storm Boy said:

I'm at the game now and Judd McVee and sitting next to knuckles is Harley Reid. Will provide more updates after the match. 

Pick 5 should get it done

This is embarrassing. So many basic errors. I know we have injuries but what is happening?!

And the good news is we’ve got Adelaide away in the next couple of weeks.

our corridor gameplan is suicidal

Shelley Heath looks in real trouble

the injury gods really have it in for us

 

chaplin takes the ball, one step and is pinged. the way HTB is adjudicated i reckon its better to let the oppo take possession and tackle them.

💔Heath should have been kicked earlier.  Instead took too long and was crunched by 2 players.  And no free kick !!! Looks in trouble with her shoulder. 

X ball movement is slow and turnovers 😭😭

X no forwards  no Harris no Zanker  no movement  Bannan is lost   Dees kick it to Georgia Clarke for bombers !! Wotherspoon is just a rookie  

X  Prespakis is dominant for bombers  - any tag ?? 

X Paxman is a shadow of her prior self 😭

Chaplin 👍🏻Gillard 👍🏻 Goldrick 👍🏻

Bombers 38 Dees 7 

Melbourne AFLW has 8 players that would be in best 21 out !! We are playing rookies and depth players.  Hard to see us winning any more games this year with this injury list.  Only 6 weeks of regular season to go.  
injury list is:
Saraid Taylor   Calf 1 - 2 weeks💔
Olivia Purcell Face 3 - 4 weeks💔
Lauren Pearce Wrist 4 weeks 💔
Blaithin Mackin Calf 3 - 5 weeks💔
Eden Zanker Knee TBC💔
Grace Beasley ACL Season ❌
Tayla Harris Shoulder Season❌
Jacinta Hose ACL Season❌
Aimee Mackin  ACL Season❌

injuries or not our kicking game is deplorable. ridiculous boundary kick across goal with neary a dee in sight.

This really is rubbish. Dumb passes, poor decisions, some players nowhere (.bannan). Very disappointing.

16 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

 

Melbourne AFLW has 8 players that would be in best 21 out !! We are playing rookies and depth players.  Hard to see us winning any more games this year with this injury list.  Only 6 weeks of regular season to go.  
injury list is:
Saraid Taylor   Calf 1 - 2 weeks💔
Olivia Purcell Face 3 - 4 weeks💔
Lauren Pearce Wrist 4 weeks 💔
Blaithin Mackin Calf 3 - 5 weeks💔
Eden Zanker Knee TBC💔
Grace Beasley ACL Season ❌
Tayla Harris Shoulder Season❌
Jacinta Hose ACL Season❌
Aimee Mackin  ACL Season❌

Add Shelley Heath shoulder 

Macca busted nose

Fitsy maybe concussed

Season over

Gall's effort is disappointing. A couple of very half hearted attempts so far.

Edited September 27, 2024Sep 27 by BDA

Not many weeks ago, we looked sadly at how far the other trailblazer, the Bulldogs, had fallen.

If the final siren went now we fall to second last.

With the Bulldogs - and Collingwood - now above us.

Mick's presser will not be comfortable viewing.

Stinnear is looking lost !! 

Edited September 27, 2024Sep 27 by spirit of norm smith
H

chaplin has been our best player. goldy having a dip as well.

We are missing lots.  but....

Our ball handlings skills have really dropped off.  Confidence? 

Just missing or fumbling the ball is really hurting us, if we were as clean as were the last few years it could at least match with the players we have missing.

Transition year after the clean out and the massive injury list. 
Fingers crossed we'll be in the other pool for next season on the fixture.  
Does anyone know if we have a good draft hand for the girls, as its supposed to a good one.

 

Hanks?😬

Hill. Free possession.  30 metres out in defence. Handballs to teammate who was already surrounded by 2 bombers. Teammate got smashed. Turnover. Goal.  Please !!!!! 

Edited September 27, 2024Sep 27 by spirit of norm smith
H

After round 5… injury list is:

+ Eliza McNamara. Broken nose. TBC 

+ Shelley Heath. Shoulder. TBC 
Saraid Taylor   Calf 1 - 2 weeks💔
Olivia Purcell Face 3 - 4 weeks💔
Lauren Pearce Wrist 4 weeks 💔
Blaithin Mackin Calf 3 - 5 weeks💔
Eden Zanker Knee TBC💔
Grace Beasley ACL Season ❌
Tayla Harris Shoulder Season❌
Jacinta Hose ACL Season❌
Aimee Mackin  ACL Season❌

 

injuries have crippled our chances this year. We need to get a few players back otherwise we'll be lucky to win another game.

on the bright side, we'll have some great picks in the draft.

a.k.a. 'Haymes All The Goal'🥺...

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/1665910/wotherspoon-in-tune-with-dazzling-dribbler?videoId=1665910&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1727411263001