BEST OF THE REST by Meggs

[Demonland 72,524]

Meggs' Review of Melbourne's AFLW Season 9 ...

Congratulations first off to the North Melbourne Kangaroos on winning the 2024 AFLW Premiership.

Roos Coach Darren Crocker has assembled a team chock-full of competitive and highly skilful players who outclassed the Brisbane Lions in the Grand Final to remain undefeated throughout Season 9. A huge achievement in what was a dominant season by North.

For Melbourne fans, the season was unfortunately one of frustration and disappointment but there were some positives to celebrate.

A tough draw, a slew of injuries to key players, an exodus of quality, battle-hardened teammates, and a bevy of young recruits conscripted prematurely, culminated in a lowly percentage (87.9%), and missing finals, finishing ninth. The best of the rest.

One positive of the season was the exposure of young players to the real thing. Georgias Gall and Campbell, Ry Wotherspoon and Alyssia Pisano all garnered valuable match day experience. While recruits Grace Beasley and Denby Taylor looked promising and well-suited in the red and blue.

Other positives to celebrate were the cohort of rising stars who had personal-best seasons (see below) and foundation coach Mick Stinear’s contract extension to 2025.

The following are some reflections on Season 9, 2024.

Offseason trades and 2023 draft

A significant cull by stalwart Demon recruiter Todd Paterson jettisoned eight players as part of a list refresh.  A raft of higher draft picks was yielded in the exchanges. The jury remains sequestered on whether it was a successful trading period.

While two retired, six other players went on to play a total of 62 games for rival clubs in 2024. This was quite an experience drain, especially in midfield and defence.

Melbourne went to the draft with 5 picks (5, 12, 24, 29, 55).

Todd chose Alyssia Pisano, a small forward (8 games), Ry Wotherspoon a forward utility (10), Jac Hose, a ruck recovering from an ACL (0), Jemma Rigoni a father/daughter selection (0), and Delany Madigan a defender (1) who has been delisted after one season.

Interestingly Melbourne did not select available defenders Lucy Cronin (Pies) or Mikayla Williamson (Hawks) who both excelled in defence in 2024 and earned rising star nominations. Young Dog Elaine Grigg at pick 6 was another who excelled in her first year.

The Demons off-season recruits included US College Basketball star Grace Beasley (3), ex-Port Adelaide small utility Lily Johnson (5) along with injury replacement players Grace Hill (8) for Hose and Denby Taylor (7) for A Mackin.

The newbies played a total of 42 games.

Ex-Dees making their mark in rival colours

To recap: Eliza West and Casey Sherriff were traded to Hawthorn, Maddi Gay to Essendon, Libby Birch to North, Charlotte Wilson to Gold Coast and Jordie Ivey to Collingwood VFLW.

Westy took the competition by storm, averaging 22 disposals and 8 tackles in her 13 games. She was instrumental in her new team’s rise to second position on the ladder alongside the deputy Sherriff. Birch is now a 3-time premiership player. The regularly injured Maddie Gay (while a Demon) suddenly played every game for the finals-bound Bombers this year and became their key defensive architect. Wilson and Ivey were solid defenders for their teams.

The ‘fixed-ya’

When AFLW published its 2024 fixture in May 2024 it was obvious that the handicapper had given MFC a really tough draw. It ended up even harder as the teams we played did better than expected and teams we didn’t play did worse

A post-season article by AFL media confirmed that the Demons had the hardest fixture:

It was a kind of fixed-ya fixture. Thank you, AFL.

The Nadir

Practice match losses to lowly Carlton and an improving Port Power, the aforementioned ‘tough draw’ and long-term injuries to Aimee Mackin (season) and Liv Purcell had lowered our confidence meter for the season opener at Sleepy Hollow. Equally, the Cats practice match form was patchy.

On game day, Kate Hore was the clear standout and starred along with Blaithin Mackin for a nail-biting 2-point win. Sadly, a Tayla Harris shoulder injury ended her season.

Thence came reality checks at Casey against the reigning premiers and the eventual premiers. Then came long term injuries to Lauren Pearce (broken wrist) and Paxy (foot). More bad news ensued with Grace Beasley doing her ACL at training to be out for the season.

Smarting from the Kangaroo hiding, Mick fired up his troops for the clash at Fremantle Oval and we led by 3 goals at ¾ time. Sadly, we could not sustain it and went goalless as the Dockers piled on 4 goals and to add insult to injury, Blaithin Mackin hurt her calf and Eden Zanker her knee. Cursed!

Round 5 was a Bomber dee-capitulation. Our worst loss in history, 65 points. A busted nose for Lize Mac and plenty of bruises and hurt feelings to go around. A dismal display to witness.

The Demons had lost 7 of their past 8 games and Mick Stinear’s win loss record was taking a battering.

Return from the Void

Where to from now? Mick and his coaches huddled and emerged with a simplified game plan and agreed to place individual players in their optimum position. Maeve Chaplin in a post-season interview confirmed there was a change of game plan.

It was a good move as the Dees slowly roared back to life with four straight wins over Giants, Crows, Saints and Tigers with Alyssa Bannan looking dangerous around goals.

The penultimate game was the must-win match in Cairns against the high-flying Hawks. Of course, the injury curse struck yet again with Kate Hore, a late withdrawal with a sore quad.

Tyla Hanks brilliantly led the team as we battled hard in hot and humid conditions. We lost by 6 points and with it the chance to secure a finals place.

A 47-point drubbing of Collingwood next week made us feel better, but it was not the finish to the season we were hoping for.

Maevo named in the AA squad

Melbourne FC had one inclusion in the AFLW All-Australia 42 player squad.

Maeve Chaplin, who put together a career-best season in 2024. In 11 matches Maeve averaged 13.6 disposals at 78.7% efficiency (team-high), 4 rebound 50s, 6.7 intercepts (10th in the league) and 2 intercept marks per match.

A unique journey, Maeve was overlooked in two drafts and then was signed as a replacement player only to be delisted and then drafted again in that same year 2022.

Don’t forget she was a S7 2022 premiership defender.

We love Maevo and what she brings every week.

Player movements 2024

The Trade Period opens on Thursday 5 December 2024 and closes 11 December.

AFLW is reporting that superstar Tayla Harris is Collingwood or Hawthorn bound. The Hawks pick 14 would be tempting. A high-quality draft awaits.

Heart and soul warrior Lily Mithen is said to be considering a tempting offer to move to Gold Coast in a deal which could land the Dees pick 2. GCS have No. 1 draft pick Havana Brown in their academy.

The 2024 Draft (AFLW’s first fully national draft) is being held on Monday 16 December 2024. The calibre of players available is the strongest on record and the Demons will, by the sounds of it, have some high picks.

Todd, please recruit some skilful contested footy mids with strong bodies and footy nous.

Zippy Fish from East Fremantle is one impressive player (in name at least) and who knows who else Todd has in mind for the early pick. There are several excellent midfielders available. For a later pick we could consider 2-km time trial dynamo Oakleigh Chargers’ Sarah Poustie.

Meggs wrote about Charlotte Brewer who impressed in a game with Casey VFLW. She has Demon connections via her grandfather Ross and current Casey VFLW coach Matt.

Choose wisely Todd!

Personal-best seasons

Several players had their best ever seasons at Melbourne which is worth celebrating.

We congratulate Maeve Chaplin on her AA nomination. Maevo started brilliantly in the practice matches and assumed the Demon defensive ‘generalissima’ for the entire season. Libby who?

Eliza McNamara is an endurance queen who was able add four-quarter contested footy to her game in 2024, racking up career-best possession numbers (22.2 per game) and averaging 392 metres gained.

Sinead Goldrick has always been a pleasure to watch but in 2024 she was crucial in everything she did both in defence and midfield and kicked 3 goals to boot.

In last year’s season Demonland review, Meggs argued that ‘Fitzy (should) be played on the ball where she has done well in VFLW. You want the ball in her hands because she has good skills and makes good decisions.’  Well in 2024 Mick sent Fitzy into the middle and she recorded career-best possession numbers (13.6 per game, up from 7.8). Her one-percenters are a feature. It would have been a good coaches review for her for sure.

Best and Fairest

In the AFLW Best and Fairest, Demons scored 32 votes (2023:46).

Kate Hore earned 12 votes (2023:12), Tyla Hanks 8, Blaithin Mackin 4 (first ever votes), Alyssa Bannan 3, Liv Purcell 2, Eliza McNamara 1 (first ever votes), Paxy Paxman 1, and Eden Zanker 1.

The Demons Best and Fairest will be held on 9 December 2024 with Meggs tipping our talisman captain Kate Hore to win the B&F once again.

Expect Goldie and Maevo who both played outstanding footy in both halves of the season to be thereabouts, with Hanksy and Eliza Mac to complete the top five.

Melbourne FC has written a piece on some of the top-performing Demons of the season and is copied here:

Alyssa Bannan

A fan-favourite Demon, Bannan was back to her brilliant best this year. The 22-year-old’s speed and infectious energy inside 50 was a spectacle to enjoy throughout 2024. She finished as the team’s leading goal-kicker for the season, kicking 12 majors across her 11 games including a four-goal haul during Week 8.

Blaithin Mackin

Mackin started the season as one of the top performers across the league before injury halted her rise. Her ability to take on the contest and bring the ball forward was an important part of her game. Minus the match in which she was injured, Mackin averaged 17 disposals, and 371 metres gained. Could her early impact be enough to push her high in the count?

Eliza McNamara

2024 was a season that put McNamara’s name on the map. Lining up for Melbourne along the wing, the 22-year-old produced career-best numbers and made regular impact during games with a relentless attitude at the contest. She averaged 22 disposals, seven intercepts and five marks.

Kate Hore

As expected, the Melbourne skipper embraced her second season at the helm. With a dual role, lining up in the midfield and forward line, Hore influenced in many ways. From performances that saw her lead the charge inside 50 to displays of strength in the contest, she continued to be a consistent contributor for the red and blue.

Maeve Chaplin

In a breakout year for the Demon, Maeve Chaplin well and truly made her mark in Melbourne’s defence. The young defender was a powerful strength coming out of the backline. She averaged 6.7 intercepts (10th in the league) and 13.6 disposals, with a disposal efficiency of 78.7% (a team high).

Sinead Goldrick

This season, fans got to see even more of Goldrick’s explosive and exciting talent, spending time in various positions across the ground. Her speed and aggressive attack went from strength-to-strength this year as she averaged 16 disposals and six intercepts, also taking her opportunities inside 50, kicking three goals.

Tahlia Gillard

Gillard’s 2024 saw her, once again, lead Melbourne’s backline at just 20 years old. The tall Demon has become an unstoppable force with another year of experience under her belt, now cemented as one of the best lockdown defenders in the league. This season saw her average six intercepts and a league-high six spoils.

Tyla Hanks

A dependable Demon since her first season at the club back in 2019, Hanks provided a level of stability in Melbourne’s midfield this year. The hard-working and crafty Demon led by example as the club’s vice-captain, averaging 18 disposals, five tackles and four clearances.

Thank you, readers,

Well, that’s all for Season 9.

It has been such a pleasure writing about this wonderful team and if you’ve got this far, thank you so much for reading.

Meggs wishes everyone all the best for the festive season.

Lots to get excited about in 2025 with both our men’s and women’s footy teams.

Go Dees!

MEGGS

[Whispering_Jack 30,328]

Great work Meggs ... not just the review above but for all your hard work throughout Season 9.

Hate making excuses but fixed-ya is the word that best covers the season for us. What a stitch up.

And still, we came close to participating in the finals.

2025 is looking good for both our Mens and Womens teams.

[spirit of norm smith 16,487]

Meggs. Clear and correct summary.   Agree totally.  👏👏👏👏👏

[Craig T 182]

While the draw was a joke, I believe it was the injuries more than the draw that hurt us.  We've ALWAYS had a tough draw (other than 2017-2018 when the fixture was fairer) and it's never really stopped us being one of the top sides.

That said, it will be interesting to see what draw we get for 2025.  We should be given a middling draw, but if, say, that means we get three of the 2024 top six I bet we get North, Adelaide and Brisbane, not Freo, Port and Hawthorn. 😠