REDEEM by Meggs

How will Mick Stinear and his dwindling list of fit and available Demons respond to last week’s 65-point capitulation to the Bombers, the team’s biggest loss in history?  

As a minimum he will expect genuine effort from all of his players when Melbourne takes on the GWS Giants at Ikon Park this Thursday. 

Happily, the ground remains a favourite Melbourne venue of players and spectators alike and will provide an opportunity for the Demons to redeem themselves.

Injuries to star players such as Liv Purcell, Tayla Harris, Lauren Pearce, the Mackin sisters, and last year’s leading goal scorer, Eden Zanker are impacting performance through lack of connection and on-field leadership.

The Demons have trialled nearly all of its draftees and train-on players, but the experience drain is proving catastrophic. Including practice matches we have lost 9 of the past 10 games.  

Difficult end of season discussions around Mick’s coaching contract and the Melbourne playing list composition lies ahead.

The Demons have just one win and a percentage of 47.9% and sit 16th on the ladder.  GWS by comparison has one win and one draw with a percentage of 113.2%.

Unlike the Demons, GWS has been competitive in most games.  

GWS, with better form and only a couple of long-term injuries, will start favourites this week.  

Selection this week

The already season-destroying injury list has grown again this week.  

Paxy’s foot was visibly impacting her running at Windy Hill and will miss a week.

Indefatigable winger Eliza McNamara wore an errant elbow against the Bombers which broke her schnoz and will also miss one week.  

Another diminutive warrior Shelley Heath busted her shoulder but is remarkably listed as a test.  Gee Shell is tough.

Speedster Jemma Rigoni is available and will not surprise if the Number 43 debuts this week given Lize’s unavailability.

Sarah D’Arcy and Sophie Casey from VFLW were listed as emergencies last week.

Meggs’ view

We will miss MacNamara this week, she has been outstanding all year.  

Lize, B Mackin, Goldrick, Hore, Hanks, Paxy, and Chaplin have been consistently listed in our best players in matches this year.  The sense being there is not enough contribution from the balance of players helping out.

GWS has seasoned midfielders in Alyce Parker, Alicia Eva and Bec Beeson.  

Georgia Garnett and Zarlie Goldsworthy are dangerous forwards, while Tarni Evans kicked 3 goals for them last week.  They will keep our defenders busy.

Ex Dee and strong defender Kat Smith is the GWS Giants vice-captain and might run around chasing Alyssia Pisano.

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

Go Dees!  

Melbourne by 3 points

THE GAME

Round 6: Melbourne v GWS Giants 

Thursday 3 October 2024 at 7:15pm (Melbourne time) Ikon Park, Melbourne - Wurundjeri

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 5 wins GWS 1 win
At IKON Park Melbourne 0 wins GWS 0 wins
The Coaches Stinear 2 wins Bernasconi 0 wins

MEDIA 

TV - Fox Footy, Kayo.  
Mobile – AFL Live Official App

THE LAST TIME THEY MET - 2023 Round 2

Melbourne 15.9 (99) defeated GWS Giants 3.4 (22) at Manuka Oval, 10 September 2023

MELBOURNE 4.1 7.5 8.7 15.9 (99)

GWS GIANTS 2.1 2.1 3.3 3.4 (22)

Melbourne kicked the 3rd highest score in AFLW history to romp home against Greater Western Sydney (GWS) in Canberra by 77 points.

Giant Killer, Captain Kate Hore was awesome with 23 disposals, 420 metres gained, 6 tackles and 5 goals 2 behinds.

Coach Mick Stinear praised the versatility of the Melbourne playing group.  

The GWS coach was disappointed that the Dees slammed on 7 last quarter goals, creating a ‘sour ending’ to the night for his team.  He felt GWS was in the game at ¾ time.  Wishful thinking Cam.

GOALS

MELBOURNE Hore 5, Bannan 3, Purcell 2, Lampard 2, Zanker, Mackin, Mithen

GWS GIANTS Garnett, Doyle, Eva 

BEST


MELBOURNE Hore, Lampard, Hanks, Pearce, Purcell

GWS GIANTS Barr, Eva, Evans, Parker, Beeson 

INJURIES

MELBOURNE Nil

GWS GIANTS Nil

CROWD 2,028 at Manuka Oval

THE TEAMS 

MELBOURNE 

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



IN D'Arcy Madigan

OUT McNamara (nose) Paxman (foot)

GWS GIANTS 

B Randall Smith
HB Ransom Huntington Pease
C Srhoj Eva Brazendale
HF Evans Garnett Zreika
F Goldsworthy Mowbray
FOLL O'Dowd Beeson Parker
I/C Bradfield Davies Doyle Gaffney Grierson
EMG Miller Murphy Ramsdale

IN Gaffney

OUT Newman (knee)

Injury List: Round 6

Melbourne

Shelley Heath — Shoulder Test
Saraid Taylor  — Calf Test
Eliza McNamara — Nose 1 week
Paxy Paxman — Foot 1 week
Olivia Purcell — Face 2-3 weeks
Lauren Pearce — Wrist 3 weeks
Blaithin Mackin — Calf 3 weeks
Eden Zanker —  Knee TBC
Grace Beasley — ACL Season
Tayla Harris — Shoulder Season
Jacinta Hose — ACL Season
Aimee Mackin  — ACL Season

GWS Giants

Aliesha Newman — Knee 2-3 weeks
Indigo Linde — Calf 3 weeks
Cambridge McCormick — Ankle 4-6 weeks
Nicola Barr — Hamstring Season
Chloe Dalton — Back Season
Daisy Walker — Knee Season