PECKING ORDER by Meggs

Looking good

It’s Week Two of Pride Round and the Demons will don their specially designed guernseys at the Field of Dreams this Saturday. Sure, we’ll be looking good — but don’t expect a celebration just yet. With finals looming, it’s business first.

With only three matches remaining, the ladder is tighter than a contested stoppage. Melbourne (7-2) sits third, clinging to a Top 4 spot with Brisbane, Carlton, and Adelaide breathing down our necks. Sydney (5-4) is perched in ninth, just outside the eight, but with a real shot at finals. This is a clash with consequences — a true test of the pecking order.

The Match-up

The Demons return to our happy hunting ground Casey Fields, where we’ve won 78% of our matches. But recent form has been patchy. A shock loss to Fremantle last week has raised eyebrows — and perhaps a few voices in the review room. Mick Stinear will be demanding a response.

He’ll also be keen to get one over his old mate Scott Gowans. The pair are one-all in their coaching duels, and this third meeting could be their sliding doors moment — a result that shapes the road to November.

Sydney, meanwhile, are flying high after a 39-point demolition of Carlton. The Swans have rediscovered their strut, led by the midfield brilliance of Montana Ham, Laura Gardiner, and Tanya Kennedy.

Montana Ham was electric last week, earning 9 coaches votes. And draftee Zippy Fish has started her AFLW career brilliantly, averaging nearly 22 disposals per game — she takes the kick-outs too.

Ally Morphett looms large in the ruck and will test Loz Pearce and the Demons’ stoppage structures.

Melbourne starts favourites ($1.53) largely because of home ground advantage.  The Swans will be coming for us; we need a lift in #demonspirit this week.

Selection this week

But the big news? Chloe Molloy is out with back soreness. The Swans’ talisman and spiritual leader will be sorely missed. Without her, Sydney’s forward line loses its spearhead — and Melbourne’s defenders breathe a little easier.

The Demons’ injury list is finally easing (or is it?). Tayla Harris, tough as teak, is expected to play despite bruised ribs. Shelley Heath (finger), Saraid Taylor (hamstring), and Sarah Lampard (calf) are all listed as tests and hopefully return. Irish star Blaithin Mackin is just a week away, and Georgia Gall’s ankle injury isn’t as bad as first feared. Meggs counts 26 fit players — a selection headache, but the good kind.

Meggs’ musings

Expect the leadership group — Kate Hore, Tyla Hanks, Maeve Chaplin, Eliza McNamara, Paxy Paxman, and the returning Sarah Lampard — to set the tone.

Kate, in particular, has extra motivation. She’s locked in a goal-for-goal race with North Melbourne’s superstar Jas Garner, both sitting on 96 career goals. The race to the ton is on.  

Could this be the week our skipper hits the ton first? You wouldn’t bet against her at Casey.

This match could go down to the wire. The Swans are scrapping for a finals berth. The Dees are desperate to lock in a double chance. It’s a hen fight at the Field of Dreams — and the winner takes a significant step up the ladder.

Because in Season 10, it’s all about the Pecking Order.

C’mon Dees!  

Tip: Melbourne by 13.  Dees to bounce back, dazzle in rainbow, and clip the Swans’ wings.

THE GAME

Round 10: Melbourne v Sydney, Saturday 18 October 2025 at 1:05pm (AEST) at Casey Fields, Melbourne – Wurundjeri/Boon Wurrung

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall: Melbourne 0 wins | Sydney 0 wins

At Casey Fields: Melbourne 0 wins | Sydney 0 wins

Coaches: Stinear 1 win | Gowans 1 win

MEDIA COVERAGE

Foxtel, Kayo, Binge, AFL Live Official Listen App

THIS WEEK’S TEAMS (to be loaded when available)

MELBOURNE

B [28] Saraid Taylor, [171 Tahlia Gillard

HB [18] Sarah Lampard, [13] Maeve Chaplin, [23] Sinead Goldrick

C [22] Elizabeth McNamara, [5]Tyla Hanks [4] Paxy Paxman,

HF [12] Ryleigh Wotherspoon, [6] Alyssa Bannan, [24] Megan Fitzsimon

FF [7] Tayla Harris, [29] Eden Zanker

FOLL [15] Lauren Pearce, [30] Shelley Heath, [10] Kate Hore

I/C [1] Georgia Campbell [19] Laela Ebert, [33] Lily Johnson, [11] Molly O'Hehir [43] Jemma Rigoni

EMG [32] Gabrielle Colvin [3] Alyssia Pisano, [18] Denby Taylor

IN Shelley Heath, Sarah Lampard,  Saraid Taylor
OUT Gabrielle Colvin (omitted), Georgia Gall (ankle), Denby Taylor (omitted)

SYDNEY SWANS

B [26] Lara Hausegger, [20] Brenna Tarrant

HB [17] Ash Van Loon, [8] Alice Mitchell, [9] Lucy McEvoy

C [23] Zippy Fish, [10] Cynthia Hamilton, [12] Lulu Pullar

HF [29] Tanya Kennedy, [30] Alexia Hamilton, [16] Sarah Grunden

FF [2] Holly Cooper, [7] Ally Morphett

FOLL [27] Giselle Davies, [31] Laura Gardiner, [18] Montana Ham

I/C [11] Jas Grierson, [41]  [15] Paris McCarthy Darcy Moloney, [13] Caitlin Reid, [6] Ruby Sargent-Wilson

EMG [3] Kiara Hillier, [21] Amelia Martin, [19] Rebecca Privitelli

IN Giselle Davies
OUT Chloe Molloy (back)

Injury List: Round 11

Melbourne

Tayla Harris — ribs / Test

Shelley Heath — finger / Test

Sarah Lampard — calf / Test

Saraid Taylor — hamstring / Test

Georgia Gall — ankle / TBC

Blaithin Mackin — calf / 1 week

Grace Beasley — knee / 3 - 4 weeks

Olivia Purcell — knee / Season

Jacinta Hose — knee / Inactive

Aimee Mackin — knee / Inactive

Sydney Swans

Imogen Brown — back / 1 Week

Chloe Molloy — back / 1 week

Sofia Hurley — quad / TBC

Maddy Collier — ankle / Season

Julie O’Sullivan — ACL / Season