MELBOURNE's first match-play of the AFLW season is just days away, with an intraclub match slated for Wednesday, July 16 on Gosch's Paddock at 11am.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1830740/aflw-intraclub-demons-first-hit-out

36 minutes ago, Kev said:

MELBOURNE's first match-play of the AFLW season is just days away, with an intraclub match slated for Wednesday, July 16 on Gosch's Paddock at 11am.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1830740/aflw-intraclub-demons-first-hit-out

It will be great to get a look at the new girls.

Interesting scheduling: our AFLW season launch is on tomorrow night. An early night and not much partying due to the intra-club the following morning. For the players, that is. That doesn’t apply to us guests 🍷 🥳 🍺

A good game was played, 8 sets of 7 1/2 minutes each, no time on.

Blues started with the first two, Hore and Hanks as mids, getting the clearances. They were able to hold in it the forward 50.

Dethridge turned the game, got the reds two clearances and got them back into the game. Two goals each, then the Blues kicked away.

Hanks went off, and the reds started to even up the possessions, late in the third (6th).

Hore turned the game again in the 4th (7th, 8th), as Dethridge gave her room to work in at stoppages, then she went forward, marking off leads and finishing well. I think the final score was about 9 goals to 5.

Paxman (wing), McNamara (other wing), and Hanks ran circles around them for Blues. They have a great connection, often finding the central corridor and connections into the 50.

I thought Gall and Campbell played well.

Harris played with smarts as a forward, creating one on ones, some good straight leads to mark. She moved into the backline in the 4th, and her long kicks got the reds moving. The three stay at home forwards for reds were all Casey players, and they struggled to get their hands on it.

Hore remained the outstanding player with great composure and feel for the right decisions, she rotated through the mid and forward lines.

Fitzsimmons was energetic giving plenty of options and endeavour up front.

Pisano got plenty of ball, with her look alike Mahony doing similar roles as high forwards.

Zanker played well as forward, leading well and finishing with good goals. She rotated into the mid late in the game.

Purcell worked into the game, she brought high energy when the reds fell behind.

Johnson ran the wings well, often getting overlaps for the reds. She really wants the ball and works hard to get space.

Rigoni playing of the halfback area, she is confident, fast, and solid, though needs to be smarter with her decisions

O'hehir moves well, is tall and was prominent early in the game, but fell out of it.

Pearce got the engine room humming.

Lampard was in and out of the game as was Beasley.

Chaplin played well with some carving runs out of the backline.

Bannan worked hard, but had the fumbles, though a very difficult match up.

Ebert showed some skill with ball in hand, though was in and out of the game, similar to some of the other new and emerging players.

Our regulars had so much cohesion, the newbies need to find their rhythm with them.

They ran it out well, but looked a bit tired coming into the 3rd quarter (5th).

Skills were good, with a connection between the regulars a feature. We finshed our goal kicking well, and had some very fast ball movement end to end. They also worked hard to hold the ball in the forward area. The Blues set up a wall very well.

The women looked happy with their match.

Addit: Apologies, Beasley, number 16 didn't play, I confused her with Ebert, number 19.

Edited July 17, 2025Jul 17 by FarNorthernD

Just wondering if anyone got down to the Friday training session and has anything to report on Hanks?