SLIP SLIDING AWAY by Meggs

[Demonland 73,139]

It was a sweaty, slippery night at Cazalys Stadium, a tough slog with low scoring and missed opportunities. 

The Hokball Hawks hung on to win by a goal and sit second on the ladder, relegating the disappointed Demons to, almost certainly, finals spectators.  

We had to win this match.

When news broke of late withdrawals of talisman Kate Hore and key back Gaby Colvin, expectations plummeted, and Demon fans despaired.  The bad news was the signature song of 2024, a season that’s breaking us in two as we watch it slip away.

Narrm began Indigenous Round brightly. A Tyla Hanks sublime kick to Georgia Gall in the first quarter was well marked and she goaled to open the scoring.  A promising start.

The hot and humid conditions slowly exhausted the players and footy became more slippery as the match went on. Ambitious handballs and pressured kicking were not helping our connection nor our chances of scoring.

The Hawks really got on top in the second and third terms, missing several chances to extend their lead.  

A match highlight was Hawks and Tiwi Islander player Mattea Breed’s brilliant flying mark-of-the-year contender in the third quarter.

To change it up, Mick moved Eliza MacNamara into the midfield which gave the team more drive. Liz alongside our key playmakers Hanks, Goldrick, B Mackin, Purcell and Fitzsimon were critical in keeping the margin to only eight-points at the last change.

Two key Hawks were later praised by Mick Stineaer in ruck and ex Casey VFLW player Lucy Wales who took 9 marks and 21 hit outs and veteran defensive sweeper Tilly Lucas-Rodd.  He could also have mentioned Westy’s 6 clearances and game-high 25 disposals or young superstar Jas Fleming, Emily Bates or Kashy.

In the end the chances were not taken and Narrm failed to bridge the gap. While payers and spectators are understandably crestfallen, we all know it was not due to a lack of effort.  

The Hawks were the better team.

Goldie is good

Sinead Goldrick has played outstanding football for Narrm this year.

Thursday night against the Hawks was no different with her 20 possessions, familiar attack on the ball and lots of run and carry.

Worryingly, Goldie was taken from the ground in the final quarter looking groggy from a head knock after Emily Bates kneed her with both knees.  No free from the umps?

Earlier Goldie had been dumped by Mackenzie Eardley in a nasty dangerous tackle but on that occasion, she jumped straight back up to take her free kick   

We hope Sinead is Good as Gold(ie).

All we need is a Miracle

Essendon looks set to pip Narrm, Geelong and St Kilda into a finals berth.  Expecting the Saints to lose to Brisbane next week and Narrm to defeat Collingwood.

Essendon have played 3 matches against fellow top 8 teams, losing each game whereas Narrm has played 7 matches against Top 8 teams winning 2.  

The Bombers will likely defeat the Blues next week and end on 26 points with Demons on 24 points.  

Essendon will have defeated us and 5 of the bottom 7 teams to make it. 

The Narrm wins have been against superior quality: Adelaide, Richmond, Geelong, St Kilda and only 2 of the bottom 7 teams.   

The Demons hierarchy could not be happy to miss out on finals once again to the uneven AFLW fixture.

Season 2024 is up to the footy gods now. We beat Collingwood and hope the Bombers blow an engine.

For the Dees

Alyssa Bannan, who some were critical of early in the season,has really turned it around with some exciting footy. She looked our most dangerous forward and kicked 1 goal 3 behinds.

Youngster Ryleigh Wotherspoon, who hails from Mackay, looked right at home in the tropical conditions. Ry was a solid contributor tonight, one of her best games so far.

Coaches and Next Week 

Mick Stinear and the playing group were shattered with the loss.  He was proud of the way they fought out the game but acknowledged that the better team won on the night.

He expects Kate Hore and Goldie to be chipper for next week.

Daniel Webster said his team produced a high-level performance against quality opposition and was rapt with the win. He praised the hard stuff that Eliza West does and her work getting hands on the ball and setting up teammates.

The Demons next play Collingwood at Ikon Park on Saturday while the Hawks take on Richmond at Punt Road on Sunday. 

Good luck Dees!

NARRM 1.0.6 1.1.7 2.2.14 2.5.17

HAWTHORN 2.0.12 3.2.20 3.5.23 3.5.23

GOALS

NARRM Bannan Gall 

HAWTHORN Fleming Hipwell McDonagh

BEST

NARRM McNamara B Mackin Hanks Bannan Goldrick Purcell 

HAWTHORN Fleming West Lucas-Rodd Wales Bates Ashmore

LATE CHANGES

NARRM Kate Hore (quad) and Gabby Colvin (concussion) replaced in selected side by Saraid Taylor and Lily Johnson

HAWTHORN Nil

INJURED

NARRM Goldrick (head)

HAWTHORN Nil

REPORTS

NARRM Nil

HAWTHORN Nil

CROWD 2,602 at Cazaly Stadium