BLOODY BLUES by Meggs

[Demonland 71,111]

The conclusion to Narrm’s home and away season was the inevitable let down by the bloody Blues  who meekly capitulated to the Bombers.

 

The 2024 season fixture handicapped the Demons chances from the get-go with Port Adelaide, Brisbane and Essendon advantaged with enough gimme games to ensure a tough road to the finals, especially after a slew of early season injuries to star players cost wins and percentage.  

 

As we strode confidently through the gates of Princes Park knowing an easy killing of Pies awaited, in our hearts and minds, we were resigned ourselves to the likelihood of finishing ninth.

 

Indigenous Round kicked off with a traditional dance and a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri man Colin Hunter Jnr prior to the first bounce.

 

Following the tragic news of the death of 11-year-old Auburn South Primary schoolboy Jack Davey, the Melbourne players wore black armbands in remembrance of the young Demons supporter.

 

Both the warm sunny Saturday afternoon and the Demons demolition of the hapless Magpies helped boost our collective Narrm spirit as our wonderful girls really turned it on.

 

Oh, and how we could have used Kate Hore in FNQ last week! Kate consistently demonstrates she is a superstar of the competition and such a wonderful leader of our footy club.  She’s an entertainer too, kicking three classy goals to be AFLW All-time leading goal scorer with 81 goals.

 

Eliza McNamara starred again breaking through 30 disposals for the third time this year. Some are calling for her All-Australian recognition, Meggs agrees.

 

The Pies did get to within 7 points early in the second quarter but from there on, it was one-way traffic.

 

For the Pies, experienced pair Brit Bonnici and Ruby Schleicher persistently plugged away. Stalwart fullback Stacey Livingstone playing her last game was sent forward in the final quarter and scored a point to a few cheers.

 

Rhi Watt stunned TV audiences announcing her retirement during a boundary line interview.  She was carried off post-match in style with lots of smiles and a few tears.

 

Our ninth-place finish should not diminish what has been achieved in 2024. We are really proud of how the playing group rebounded from the low point to finish in positive win/loss territory.

 

Mick Stinear has an elite nucleus of experienced players from which to build on.

 

You could tell at Ikon Park that the Demon fans really love this team and that the playing group is already steeled for a red-hot crack in 2025.

 

For the Dees

 

It was a day to execute the game plan, and it worked splendidly at times.  

 

At ground level, Hanksy and Kate’s passing are elite.  It's wonderful to witness.

 

Apart from the regular stars, we have seen solid improvement this year in a number of players.

Chaplin has proven to be a stellar defender, Fitzy has had her best season by far, talls Gall and Campbell have grown in confidence and fan favourite Banno has really turned it on in the second half of the season.

 

Lots to like.  

 

Coaches and next week

 

Mick Stinear was proud of his team’s effort.  He was particularly pleased with the improved connection and reward for effort.  

 

He said the group would be watching the Essendon v Carlton game together later evening.

Spoiler alert: Carlton’s two best midfielders were late withdrawals and Essendon won by 6 goals.

 

Mick felt the early season loss of core mids Loz Pearce and Liv Purcell hurt our chances.  He praised the impact of Rhi Watt both on and off the field and she will be missed by everyone at the Club.

 

Sam Wright said it was a tough season with so many injuries and the lack of continuity.  He is optimistic that improvement will come from game system education and an improved ability to retain the ball in the forward half.  

 

That’s all folks! 

 

Go Dees!

 

NARRM 3.3.21 7.3.45 10.6.66 11.8.74

 

COLLINGWOOD 1.2.8 2.2.14 3.2.20 4.3.27

 

GOALS

 

NARRM Hore 3 Bannan 2 Campbell Fitzsimon Gall Hanks Pisano Zanker

 

COLLINGWOOD Bonnici 2 Barnett Butler

 

BEST

 

NARRM Hore McNamara Hanks Purcell Zanker Fitzsimon

 

COLLINGWOOD Bonnici Schleicher White Brazzale Cronin Cann

 

INJURIES 

 

NARRM Nil

 

COLLINGWOOD Nil

 

REPORTS 

 

NARRM Nil

 

COLLINGWOOD Nil

 

CROWD 1,854 at Ikon Park

 

POSTSCRIPT Meggs will return after the finals with a 2024 Season Review. He tips North to win the flag.

 

 

[spirit of norm smith 16,163]

Thanks Meggs.  Yes looking forward to the end of season review.  
 

It was a season of two halves …  a season that could have descended into darkness but emerged with some blue skies ahead.  
 

So much to work with … we must retain the key players and continue to develop the youngsters.  We have the nucleus again of a premiership team.  This season was a reset due to departures and injuries.  Go Dees in 2025. 

[BDA 22,688]

Bloody injuries!

brilliant second half of the year but injuries and fixtures did us ultimately

plenty of positives though. Really looking forward to Pisano Campbell and Gall developing further and hopefully Beasley can recover and show us what she can do. Tayla back will be huge as well.

Go Dees.

[rjay 24,809]

32 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Chaplin has proven to be a stellar defender

Talking in another thread about AA chances I forgot Chaplin...she must be in the discussion.