7 hours ago, The Panglossian said:

I know I’m hopelessly biased, but I cant believe the diabolical run our girls get with the umpires every week.

When there’s a scrimmage in our backline near the goals , it’s inevitable that a dubious 50:50 free will be awarded to the opposition. Breathe on them, and it’s 50 metres.

Questionable frees are given against us all over the ground,when identical incidents aren’t penalised for the opposition.

Is it because our girls tackle harder, or more often? Do they backchat the umps and put them off side?

It’s not just the 2 finals( presumably with the better umps), but the whole season.

It has been a recurring issue for both men and womens teams.

I have suggested that the club invite the umpires to training or special sessions so we can correct our techniques.

We are obviously doing something wrong with the way we tackle or handle our opponents and the ball.Perhaps we position ourselves badly and obscure the fair sighting , or we move the ball on too quickly or too slowly, we must correct this.

Or there is some difficulty in seeing our necks heads and backs because of the colour of our jumper.

10 hours ago, The Panglossian said:

I know I’m hopelessly biased, but I cant believe the diabolical run our girls get with the umpires every week.

When there’s a scrimmage in our backline near the goals , it’s inevitable that a dubious 50:50 free will be awarded to the opposition. Breathe on them, and it’s 50 metres.

Questionable frees are given against us all over the ground,when identical incidents aren’t penalised for the opposition.

Is it because our girls tackle harder, or more often? Do they backchat the umps and put them off side?

It’s not just the 2 finals( presumably with the better umps), but the whole season.

I wholeheartedly agree.

I'd just like to see some consistency. So many paid against us in the last two weeks right in front of goal for them.

However, Mick did talk about the umpiring in his presser and summed it up really well.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/1930246/sf-post-match-media-conference-mick-stinear?videoId=1930246&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1763183577001

Three comments - some positives, a not so positive and a massive negative.

Positives:

I really, really enjoy watching our women play live.

I love the atmosphere and vibe in the crowd - passionate and footy focused but also celebratory.

It's awesome to see so many kids enjoying themselves and there's a cool sense of diversity in terms of mix of age and gender.

And I have to say I like that the game is done and dusted in a couple of hours.

I feel like a big factor in the positive energy in the crowd is the very evident cohevisness and shared warmth and love within the team - players and coaches alike (and there seems to he a real connection with the fans- kudos must go to the Demon Army for fostering this connection).

As an example, as is my won't I was watching the players at the 3 quarter time huddle thru my binos (I really like to see the body language of players and coaches, see who us paying attention to the coach, whose not, and its a bonus if I can read the messages on the whiteboards).

Heath looked completely stuffed and was having a laugh with some other players who came over to give her a pat on the back (I'm guessing something happened late in the 3rd involving Shelley?).

Stinnear came accross, said something and gave Heath a little shoulder hug and kissed the top of her head. Heath gave him a hug and beamed. It was all so natural and warm.

I watched the second half when I got home and was struck by the vision of Stinnear wiping away tears after the game. He loves his team and they love him.

Not so positive:

As i was watched the women playing a final in the red and the blue (side note - we have the best jumper and colour scheme by far) I reflected that they are representing my club, the club I've supported since I was five years old. And I was so proud of them. I really felt that sense of them being demons and being 'my' team.

But I also reflected that I don’t think the club has walked the talk on the commitment to the three teams, one club idea, and in particular fostering the connection between the men's and women's teams.

That's on the club, but to be honest I think Goody could have done more in that space, particularly in terms of building a connection between the men's and women's teams, and perhaps as importantly the two programs.

Massive negative:

The umpiring was appalling yesterday. Just appalling.

Because scores are lower, poor umpiring has an outsize impact.

Just look at yesterday- they got three goals from umpire error, nearly half the number of goals they scored (and one, the ridiculous reversal free against Paxy - which by the by was on my side of the ground and I happened to see with my binos: they simply ran into each other - broke a potential scoring chain for us).

I don't blame the umpires, I blame the AFL. There is zero exuse not to have the very best umpires officiating a final when there is no other football being played. None.

It is a reflection of the apathy the AFL has towards AFLW.

And on umpiring, make it a professional all year round job, with a mix of part and full time umpires.

The 'team' of umpires would officiate the men's games, women's games, regulary attend pre and in season training sessions (mens and womens) and support the development of umpires at lower levels by working with local leagues to offer mentoring and training to local footy umpires.

That model would help create a genuine pathway for young umpires, and even players, at the local level who want a career in elite sport.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by binman

Binman … sensational post

I’m afraid I’m with you on all topics but I always waver on conspiracy theories.

That said, I too am amazed the AFLW don’t do 2 things…

Hold the semis & prelims at smaller grounds like Casey where the atmosphere is sensational. 3.000 + for the Swans game & the place was happily rocking

AND

If the AFLW don’t want to use experienced umpires then get the clubs to educate them (a point you made).

I’m afraid my ambivalence to the governing bodies is somewhat huge.

On 14/11/2025 at 08:16, Brownie said:

Throw some pics in the thread if you can GW. I'll be working Saturday and not watching the replay until Saturday night and I'm sure the replay won't show it.

Thanks again to the demon army for their fantastic work and support.

Go Dees Bring the heat

Yesterday’s banner…

And get a load of Hawthorn’s banner (having copped a bagging for last week’s poor effort)…

This alone made me hope they were smashed by Carlton 😄

One of our DA suggested this…

😂

On Thursday we made the backing for this week’s banner and tonight we’re going in to complete it. We may even make the GF banner backing tonight coz why not?! We very well may need it.

👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by Ghostwriter

The only thing bigger than that Hawthorn banner is their cheer squad's sense of self importance.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by The Taciturn Demon

2 minutes ago, The Taciturn Demon said:

The only thing bigger than that Hawthorn banner is their cheer squad's sense of self importance.

Right? It’s all about them and their precious egos. Devoting the entire side of the banner for anything other than the team is disgraceful.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by Ghostwriter

2 hours ago, Brownie said:

I wholeheartedly agree.

I'd just like to see some consistency. So many paid against us in the last two weeks right in front of goal for them.

However, Mick did talk about the umpiring in his presser and summed it up really well.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/1930246/sf-post-match-media-conference-mick-stinear?videoId=1930246&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1763183577001

Love listening to Mick

2 hours ago, Brownie said:

I wholeheartedly agree.

I'd just like to see some consistency. So many paid against us in the last two weeks right in front of goal for them.

However, Mick did talk about the umpiring in his presser and summed it up really well.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/1930246/sf-post-match-media-conference-mick-stinear?videoId=1930246&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1763183577001

He really is an exceptional speaker...

22 hours ago, BDA said:

shelley heath has been fantastic

Shelley Heath has been SOOOO good all year, but that game was massive from her. The run, the (mostly) great disposal. The TACKLING!!!

A few observations.

I have been to every Hawks aflw game this year and last night was the first time anyone from their cheer squad has even turned up. Obviously shamed into the banner and having a presence this week by club authorities.

I have also seen North live twice in the last 3 weeks and I am convinced they are beatable. The key is preventing them starting scoring chains from the back line via intercept marks (mainly via Ghostys favourite player). Also sit on the outside of Ash Riddell as she gets first receives after pretty much every one of the contested possessions North wins then takes off and distributes expertly. Randall is the key forward you need to lock down, and is good with the ground ball gets and dishing off to midfielders ans small forwards if she doesnt mark. Sherlaw can be put off pretty easily

I reckon Melbourne can match up well on all of these, and more than any other team has the forward line to trouble them.

Beside the above, the other area which I think might trouble us is a couple of their pacy smaller players - not sure if we can stop them. Their depth is better than ours, so talented, but perhaps lesser light players like Bannon and Witherspoon etc have to play at the peak of their powers.

And keep up the great work ghosty both re aflw and the training reports.

3 minutes ago, spalding said:

A few observations.

I have been to every Hawks aflw game this year and last night was the first time anyone from their cheer squad has even turned up. Obviously shamed into the banner and having a presence this week by club authorities.

I have also seen North live twice in the last 3 weeks and I am convinced they are beatable. The key is preventing them starting scoring chains from the back line via intercept marks (mainly via Ghostys favourite player). Also sit on the outside of Ash Riddell as she gets first receives after pretty much every one of the contested possessions North wins then takes off and distributes expertly. Randall is the key forward you need to lock down, and is good with the ground ball gets and dishing off to midfielders ans small forwards if she doesnt mark. Sherlaw can be put off pretty easily

I reckon Melbourne can match up well on all of these, and more than any other team has the forward line to trouble them.

Beside the above, the other area which I think might trouble us is a couple of their pacy smaller players - not sure if we can stop them. Their depth is better than ours, so talented, but perhaps lesser light players like Bannon and Witherspoon etc have to play at the peak of their powers.

And keep up the great work ghosty both re aflw and the training reports.

Great summary. My feeling is they're extremely well drilled and play brilliant, relentless team footy, but can be sloppy. They give you a chance if you're able to go with them. It's just that nobody can go with them at the moment.