ZANKER’S BLITZ by Meggs

Posted 2 hours ago2 hr

Melbourne’s response to last week’s heartbreak was emphatic, as the Demons

delivered a statement win over West Coast at a windswept Casey Fields.

All of the pre-match hype surrounded the coach’s box matchup of Mick Stinear up against his apprentice, Daisy Pearce along with the gloomy weather forecast.

In the end, it was less about tactical chess and more about Melbourne’s relentless execution.

With rain looming, the DeeArmy and early birds snapped up the best undercover viewing spots.

Daisy was warmly welcomed back onto the oval, a familiar figure now in unfamiliar colours.

Last week’s narrow 2-point loss by Melbourne at Alberton Oval had motivated the Dees’ senior players to redeem themselves and put on a show for their former captain, Daisy.

From the first bounce, Melbourne looked locked in, hungry, and united.

West Coast simply couldn’t stem the Demon onslaught which, in the end, was a 50-point drubbing with our early midfield clearance dominance leading to deep inside fifties (47, 25) and piling on goals.

Eden Zanker (9 marks) was unstoppable kicking five goals by half time, and the Demons

had scored ten unanswered goals by 3/4 time. Surely, ten coach’s votes are heading her way?

Tayla Harris continued her stellar 2025 season, kicking two goals and being dynamic around the ground and at ball ups.

Lauren Pearce bounced back from her quiet game against Matilda Scholz to dominate Lakay and remind the competition how good she is.

Fortress Casey Fields once again proved a happy hunting ground for the red and blue.

Although the weather was typically blowy in the first half it was gentle thereafter.

Happily, the rain stayed away until the match had concluded but it certainly caused

plenty of havoc on the Monash on the trip home.

The match

The dangerous forward group was on song for three quarters.

WCE co-captain Charlie Thomas defended well (26 disposals, 406 metres gained) but was unable to stem the scoring flow. Ella Roberts and Abbygail Bushby were excellent for the Eagles.The Dees midfield dominated clearances early with Pearce (20 hitouts, 6 clearances),

Tyla Hanks (18 disposals, 3 clearances), Kate Hore, Megan Fitzsimon, Maeve Chaplin, Shelley Heath, and milestoner Eliza McNamara all shining.

The Eagles won the last quarter three goals to nil to salvage some pride for next week.

The big win sees Melbourne second on the ladder with 5 wins 1 loss and a percentage of 243.2% and some more winnable games ahead.

Match moment

Young small forward and high draft pick Alyssia Pisano appeared to gain early confidence with clean hands in several fast passages of play. Her moment came in the third quarter when she positioned herself well to receive and then expertly kick a post-high goal in heavy traffic.

More of this please, Alyssia!

Milestone

Midfield dynamo Eliza McNamara, celebrating 50 games of AFLW, was in everything all day to be amongst the best players on the ground (24 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles).

Our number 22 is so courageous, competitive and consistent. When Lize smiles we smile with her. Congrats. Nice post-game interview too.

Meggs’ musings

Fresh out of rehab, Goldie and Gillard slotted seamlessly back into defence, true pros both. Sinead’s energy and pressure a real feature. So great to have them both back.

And with a full complement of defensive troops in situ, Mick Stinear allowed Maeve Chaplin to join the mids for some action and she certainly impressed.

All the first and second year players, Wotherspoon, Pisano, Ebert, O’Hehir and Mahony contributed well and are building confidence.

Melbourne’s skip, Kate Hore, added two more goals and sits atop the all-time AFLW goalkicking tally with 93 goals.

The upcoming four matches, Suns (at Casey), the injury-ravaged Bombers (Ikon), Dockers (Perth) and Swans (Casey) are all winnable games.

Coaches and Next Week

Meggs could not find a Mick Stinear post-match interview. Daisy Pearce said their start was really disappointing coming up against an experienced side like Melbourne and were given a lesson (particularly in the first half).

We certainly did Dais’ 😊😊.

Next week: Gold Coast at Casey Fields, Friday 1:05pm.

A five-day break and then back at the Ede Field of Dreams. Let’s stay focussed, Dees.

MELBOURNE 4.3.27 7.7.49 10.11.71 10.13.73

WEST COAST EAGLES 0.2.2 0.3.3 0.4.4 3.5.23

GOALS

MELBOURNE Zanker 5, Harris 2, Hore 2, Pisano

WEST COAST is rEAGLES Gibson, Lakay, Wakfer

BEST

MELBOURNE Zanker, McNamara, Hanks, Fitzsimon, Pearce

WEST COAST EAGLES Bushby, Roberts, Thomas, Wakfer, Britton

INJURIES