Avg. games experience of teams as selected:

Melbourne: 50.7

Geelong: 43.0

Selected players averaging 15+ disposals at 65%+ disp. eff. in 2025:

Melbourne: Hanks (24.0, 66.7%), Hore (21.2, 65.2%), Chaplin (18.9, 72.6%), Paxman (16.7, 65.%), Heath (16.0, 66.9%)

Geelong: Bowen (20.8, 69.4%), A.McDonald (19.8, 72.4%), Webster (15.5, 69.4%)

Played all 12 H&A games for the Dees in 2025:

11 players: Bannan, Chaplin, Ebert, Fitzsimon, Hanks, Harris, Hore, McNamara, Paxman, Pearce, Zanker

In 2024 we had 9 players (from 11 H&A games); 2023 13 (10); 2022B 14 (10).

Fun fact: The clash between Hawthorn v. North Melbourne is the last remaining match-up to feature in the AFLW, so soon the set will be complete. Until the Devils show up in...TBA.

1 hour ago, Dees_In_October said:

Her luck has turned!

Hopefully nothing too serious for Molly though...

Geelong v Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium, 7.15pm AEDT

GEELONG

In: Nil
Out: Nil

MELBOURNE

In: D.Taylor, G.Gall
Out: J.Rigoni (omitted), M.O'Hehir (injured)

The team:

B: S.Taylor, Gillard

HB: Mackin, Lampard, Chaplin

C: McNamara, Hanks, Paxman

HF: Fitzsimon, Harris, Wotherspoon

F: Bannan, Zanker

FOLL: Pearce, Hore, Heath

IC: Ebert, Mahony, D.Taylor, Campbell, Gall

11 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Just consulted with our expert in all things W, Craig. He said Mick has only missed one game, the Freo one in Perth. He did hand the reins over to Shae for the Hawks game at Frankston but he’s listed as the coach so he’s technically only missed one game.

I know I bang on about it but Mick is a huge asset for our club and I wish he was used in some capacity as part of the men's team.

He's built a fantastic culture with the Ws

6 hours ago, Brownie said:

I know I bang on about it but Mick is a huge asset for our club and I wish he was used in some capacity as part of the men's team.

He's built a fantastic culture with the Ws

100% @Brownie. So glad you’re recognising Stinear. I love the way he will quickly move the magnets if things aren’t clicking or the opposition coach is nullifying our strengths. His pressers are always positive and he never makes excuses.

The way Daisy speaks of Mick is especially endearing. Given Daisy’s marrow deep character, that says much.

TV commentators will often provide each coach’s message after breaks between quarters. The Dees players respond accordingly revealing great respect to their coach.

It is interesting this team’s chemistry and performance is so strong when under the same issues with the Board & CEO as the men’s team. That speaks volumes for Stinear.

It does appear Stinear has put much more focus on player character than the men’s side. The players he has moved out in previous years has raised eyebrows at times. But there’s no denying the chemistry of this team, cruelled by the loss of pivotal cog Purcell.

Despite a bruising encounter in the energy-draining heat last week, if I’m judging the character of this team correctly, they will have finals intensity from the get-go. This should prove too much for the Cats who get off to a fast start when they win. That’s the watch out.

8 hours ago, Brownie said:

I know I bang on about it but Mick is a huge asset for our club and I wish he was used in some capacity as part of the men's team.

He's built a fantastic culture with the Ws

Mick is worth banging on about, no doubt about it. But I differ with you on the suggestion that he should be used in the men’s. Why would we (self)-sabotage our W team by taking away the only coach they’ve ever had, and a fantastic coach at that, to see him in a lesser role at the men’s?

4 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Mick is worth banging on about, no doubt about it. But I differ with you on the suggestion that he should be used in the men’s. Why would we (self)-sabotage our W team by taking away the only coach they’ve ever had, and a fantastic coach at that, to see him in a lesser role at the men’s?

Ghosty you probably understand the coaching structure and capacity of the club much better than I do from afar.

I'd never want to see him step away from the Women's team, I just wonder from a culture and strategy point of view, he could potentially help the blokes while still undertaking his Womens coaching role once their season ends?

He is incredibly strong in both aspects.

Both culture (team first), where we seem to have had problems with the blokes and game strategy and game day changes where Goody and his team also seemed to struggle.

He just seems to have built something so solid, why wouldn't we leverage his expertise. Maybe in a consultancy type role with the men's team perhaps?

Another example could be where Mick could have been used in selecting our new coach (nothing against Kingys selection).

I don't know his capacity over the whole footy year or his renumeration.

Is there capacity for him to work with Kingy early in 2026? Before the women return for their season?

I'd love to see him more recognised and utilised by this club so that we as a club get the most out of a very talented and capable person.

I'd be gutted if he got poached by another club if he did look to develop his coaching career and credentials in the future.

Anyways, I'd be keen to hear what you think about capacity and capability for someone like Mick to actually do some work for both teams.

3 minutes ago, Brownie said:

Ghosty you probably understand the coaching structure and capacity of the club much better than I do from afar.

I'd never want to see him step away from the Women's team, I just wonder from a culture and strategy point of view, he could potentially help the blokes while still undertaking his Womens coaching role once their season ends?

He is incredibly strong in both aspects.

Both culture (team first), where we seem to have had problems with the blokes and game strategy and game day changes where Goody and his team also seemed to struggle.

He just seems to have built something so solid, why wouldn't we leverage his expertise. Maybe in a consultancy type role with the men's team perhaps?

Another example could be where Mick could have been used in selecting our new coach (nothing against Kingys selection).

I don't know his capacity over the whole footy year or his renumeration.

Is there capacity for him to work with Kingy early in 2026? Before the women return for their season?

I'd love to see him more recognised and utilised by this club so that we as a club get the most out of a very talented and capable person.

I'd be gutted if he got poached by another club if he did look to develop his coaching career and credentials in the future.

Anyways, I'd be keen to hear what you think about capacity and capability for someone like Mick to actually do some work for both teams.

I guess utilising Mick in some capacity with the men’s between December, (or March for the season proper) and next June (when the W preseason starts) could be possible but It’d be a lot for Mick to take on, even if part-time. Maybe in some sort of consultancy role, so as he can continue to devote as much time to the W, and not take on too much during the M.

Edited Friday at 03:144 days by Ghostwriter

2 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

I guess utilising Mick in some capacity with the men’s between December, (or March for the season proper) and next June (when the W preseason starts) could be possible but It’d be a lot for Mick to take on, even if part-time. Maybe in some sort of consultancy role, so as he can continue to devote as much time to the W, and not take on too much during the M.

It suddenly occurs to me, what does Mick do for that other 5 or so months? I'm assuming he's full time during the pre-season and season, but I imagine not the off-season? I know there's a lot that happens unofficially during the off-season that isn't "counted" since players don't have contracted hours during that time, but does he have another job?

Just saw that former Demon Shelley Scott has announced her retirement. She won't be playing this weekend, but hopefully gets a send off from some former teammates at Kardinia Park, alongside other Geelong retirees captain Meg McDonald and Kate Darby.

15 minutes ago, Dees_In_October said:

It suddenly occurs to me, what does Mick do for that other 5 or so months? I'm assuming he's full time during the pre-season and season, but I imagine not the off-season? I know there's a lot that happens unofficially during the off-season that isn't "counted" since players don't have contracted hours during that time, but does he have another job?

Great question, DIO. Mick’s a lovely person and always has time for a chat (and a laugh - he has a great sense of humour) so when next we chat I’m gonna ask him 🙂

1 hour ago, Ghostwriter said:

Great question, DIO. Mick’s a lovely person and always has time for a chat (and a laugh - he has a great sense of humour) so when next we chat I’m gonna ask him 🙂

Thanks! He's a pretty cool customer 😁

5 minutes ago, Dees_In_October said:

Thanks! He's a pretty cool customer 😁

He didn’t bat an eyelid 😂

🥳 GAMEDAY!!! 🥳

A good ol’ fashioned thumping of the Cats tonight would be 🤌🏼 Thank goodness our percentage is so healthy.

I won’t allow myself to entertain the possibility of a loss. Therefore…

The Mighty Dees by any amount, ideally a lot. Maybe our two milestone gals together (38 points) 👊🏼

YEAH, THE DEEEES!

I’ll be there. Go Dees

I just realised something… we definitely won’t lose tonight for I’m wearing white jeans and whenever I wear white jeans to the footy we win (men’s and women’s). The reason I’m conscious of this is because also whenever I wear white jeans I spill food or drink on them and I sit on the train home stained with coffee/tomato sauce/Pepsi Max or like last time, soy sauce, and think to myself, well at least we won.

Y’all are very welcome 🤗

Got a feeling there’ll be a big crowd tonight. I’m seeing heaps of people already. 99% Cats fans but whatevs.

poor decision maggie mahony. zanker was free at the top of the square

I can't find this on fox...where is it?

Huge game tonight, just have to beat the dreaded Cats, Dees by 21 points.👍❤️💙

Need to lift. Pressure getting us again.

Edited Saturday at 08:253 days by Clintosaurus

good finish witherspoon

we're in a game here

Geez … need to lift !!! Average start against a lower team.

Look too top heavy with Zanker, Harris and Gall playing forward. Geelong waltzing the ball out. Forwards need to play in front, talls need to crash packs and get ball to ground.

Geelong look up for it but should drop off as the game goes.

Edited Saturday at 08:443 days by Dee Viney Intervention

bad shank tayla. poor set shot after a beautiful delivery from hanks