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Wowee, what a day! The kids and I arrived at the ground and were welcomed towards the great club activations at the gates: girls got their face painted, spun the wheel and won prizes and got to record a little motivational message for the players. They seemed annoyed when I suggested we go get some seats and watch a footy game, they were having too much fun. Scored a nice spot on the wing, slightly under cover, next to a group of girls who were good mates with Tyla Hanks and happened to be primary school teachers - very handy with taking some heat from 2 x 7yos prone to incessant question asking during a football match. The game itself was a turgid affair riddled with frustratingly poor kicking on our behalf; Norf had a real dig. We can thank our defence yet again. It was great how we withstood their barrage of inside 50s but jeez, we should have been a few goals down at 3q time. Then, that Daisy goal. Like a divine hand grabbed that ball on the sky an guided it on the wind through the big sticks. The crowd went completely [censored] nuts. Was good energy today. Then the kids and I muscled our way to the fence hoping for a high five or autograph. Then we watched Tyla Hanks, as though in slow motion, make a beeline for my girls and handed them the signed footy! (Maybe her teacher mates gave her a tip off) Onya Hanksie! Also got autographs from Kate Hore and Fitzy! The girls were utterly starstuck 😍. Then 3x scarves out the car windows with Grand Old Flag at HIGH volume out of the forth, all the way home. Now onto the Grand Final at Isotopes Stadium. Go you mighty [censored] Dees girls. You’re winning a lot of hearts, young and old. ❤️💙

Just gonna spew out my thoughts as usual! First of all, credit to North. They’re a better team than many recognise and but for some wasted chances could easily have taken this one. It was finals footy in a lot of ways: not necessarily champagne football, just two sides who happen to match up very well on each other. Absolutely critical for us was the straight set shot goalkicking of Fitzsimon and Sherriff at pivotal moments. They coolly took their opportunity when many others in this league would have faltered. Gay won some really crucial contests. Paxy did Paxy things (shout out to the guy yelling, “Go Karen!” throughout the game, much to my amusement). Big game from Hanks, just so clean and relentless in mopping up. Mackin also impressed with some beautiful long kicks and “right place, right time” marks, reflecting hard running. Mithen—these days, you know what you’ll get from her. Mistakes, yes, but always energy and hardness. After a shaky first half, Gillard didn’t put a foot wrong. That resilience is so good to see. Zanker was quiet then sacrificed her game and worked into it. Birch looked a bit off early and was a good barometer for how swirly the wind was, as even she was misjudging the ball drop! Some quieter games from a few of our big names and some uncharacteristic mistakes—but many lifted in the last. At times they tried to force chains of possession that just weren’t on and made some bad decisions with ball in hand. Our forwards connection was poor, and some structural difficulties due to Tayla being limited didn’t help. The kudos for this win, though, has to go to the defensive effort under an absolute onslaught in the third. Getting trapped like that in D50 is obviously not ideal, but sometimes you have to make do with what you have and then take your chances when they come—and to have retain the belief that you can make that happen. Which we did in the last. Of course, against the best opposition…the chances might simply never arrive. The enduring memory I’ll have from this game is seeing a player, midway through the last, turning through traffic and then snapping a wonderful, match-sealing goal. From the legends stand, I couldn’t quite make out who it was moving with such agility and executing such a classy finish. Hore maybe? Nope. Could it be…Daisy! Moving the best that she has in a while and with such a pure kick after missing so many targets throughout. Cue a standing ovation from a very pumped up crowd.

When Young Jackson first came to Melbourne there was a spontaneous reaction. As soon it became clear in his debut year he was so energetic and athletic in action. His third quarter spark on the Grand Final Park silenced the Doggies' bark. Though none of us can accept blame when he chose to turn his back on fame. To return to old Freo for a pot of gold so Mum can curl his hair with ribbons of aurelio reo.

Still, I have always had the distinct impression we hitched our star to Tom Lynch, who then ended up going to Gold Coast a pick earlier. Lucas Cook was a hastily-hatched ill-considered back-up plan based off his AA credentials and little more. But we were also hamstrung by the lack of quality alternatives available once our preferred choices were gone.

Damn, where they want to build that stadium is where I park my car for work every day. What a personal inconvenience.

If having a body for 44 years has taught me anything it’s that the current inhabitant never speaks fondly of the former tenant.

Like Tayla Harris, I'm sure you'll get up for the Grannie WCW. Also, seeing it's the last AFLW game next week I'd like to thank you for the great insight you have provided to Demonland on the AFLW and all things MFC. You always have a positive slant on things and I love reading your posts. We are lucky to have you. ❤💙🍷🏆

I'm glad it looks like Tassie will finally get a team in the AFL and its well and truly overdue. I share the concerns of some others with the unevenness a 19 team competition creates with the bye and and also the lack of talent to support 19 teams. The solution IMO, is three fold. 1. Reduce list sizes to approx 35 and have clubs able to play anyone on their VFL/SANFL/WAFL teams in the seniors if they have too many injuries. 2. Bring in a 20th team. Whether one based in Northern Australia, a third team out of Perth or maybe somewhere like Canberra or Newcastle are the best potential options I'm not sure. But 20 teams would be best. 3. Two divisions, whether you want to call them premier division and secondary division or premier and national? The premier could be 12 teams where everyone plays eachother twice. Top 6 make the finals for a 4 week finals series like they had from 91-93. While national could be 8 teams where everyone plays eachother three times (21 times) meaning the AFL can do their stupid magic round with that competition. Finals for this competition can be top 4 in a three week finals series which means it would likely conclude Semi Final weekend of the Premier division. Every year the wooden spooner of premier division is relegated while the premier from National is promoted. This could IMO be the best way to combat an uneven competition and the uncompetitiveness of some teams.

From the Herald Sun this morning: MELBOURNE Picks: 13, 37 Mick Ablett says: After a disappointing exit in the 2022 finals series, expect a statement to come early in 2023. With the most potent ruck duo arguably since Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui, the Demons’ engine room will get plenty of supply. Targeting some firepower to assist Bailey Fritsch and Kysiah Pickett is paramount and the only area Melbourne has to address before another September assault. Draft Prediction: Matt Jefferson could come into calculations for their first pick. He averaged 2.2 goals during his NAB League season, along with kicking a standout seven goals straight against Western Australia in the under-18 national championships. At 195cm he is a strong lead-up forward. Sam Gilbey should be on the board at their second pick and would provide some class by foot off halfback.

I am surprised Gillard wasn't mentioned in our best players. I thought she repelled many attacks.

So for the time being it’s LSW (Limping) CivilWar? Recover quickly!

No doubt I'll face the charge of being insensitive, but I must admit WCW, I found the mental image of a deranged ranga being mummified in crepe paper so sidesplittingly funny I almost spilled my shiraz.

Herald Sun now reporting that Melbourne coach Mick Stinear said after the game Tayla Harris had played the game out in pain but would be good to go for the AFLW decider. “Yeah a bit of discomfort during the game we took her out of the ruck and tried to use her as a weapon forward,” Stinear said. “She’s OK, certainly a bit of discomfort during the game but I can’t see her missing next week, she’s tough.”

Impulse bought a flight at the final siren. Never been more worried about 'venue subject to change'.

Have been watching more and more of this on telly and decided to go to my first aflw game today - great fun. The standard is terrific, particularly in terms of toughness and intensity. Took the 2 yo for his first real AFL outing. Wish he had some of the girls toughness gee whiz

West Coast took Jack Williams as Kennedy’s long term replacement, so can’t see them or us taking Jefferson. On another note and in keeping with our forwards. I had to drop into the Claremont football Club today, JVR was in the gym doing some conditioning, they started introducing him to me. I said mate lifelong Demon, you don’t need to tell me who this bloke is. Shook his hand and wished him luck for the season ahead.

That is the Brownlow he should have won whilst a Demon, yet somehow was overlooked and his incredible merits were for some reason 'ignored' as Brownlow items. ( ie: nothing has changed. Think Clarrie and Tulip). He often played a different position, and in reality took on more responsibilities as a ball-magnet utility with striking power. In reminiscing his achievements, he was 'owed' a few more votes that assisted the rise of the Sydney Swans in their early formation and represented an endorsed contribution to positive, successfully-promulgated acceptance of the 'newbies' to national footy. At the time, many of us still considered him to be a Demon - falling sway to more positive interpretations of the Swans and the extinguished South Melbourne vanishing act.

bringing in tasmania ultimately does nothing for the game's coffers now, a 19th and a 20th team... it's inevitable that if they bring in the thylacines then a third wa, far nq, or newcastle and surrounds 20th team is an inevitability it won't be canberra as without that region gw$ have even less support than they currently do

I was at the game, and it was VERY windy, affecting the standard greatly. So Dees fans shouldn't be too worried about the low standard footy leading into the GF. I have since watched the replay on TV , and it' s not nearly as obvious on TV how difficult the conditions were. Also, i was surprised when one commentator said that North would have the wind in Q4. I'm dead sure it was easier kicking to the Royal Parade end.

Great game but the girls, but now they would rue that 1 point :( We can winner anywhere and we tend to like QLD. The game yesterday was great with the pressure and the backline held up very well. They'll need to be on their best next week. I think we'll be better prepared compared to our H&A game against them, they smothered us and we could get our game going for 4 qtrs.

thanks for more info. i was just going off google maps (at the time i looked) 😆

Bringing in a twentieth team to solve the problem of nineteen teams underscores how impractical the nineteenth team is. Locating it in NT would be a disaster as the population of the largest city is barely 170k. Assuming we can't get rid of a Melbourne team, Adelaide or Perth is the logical spot but watch the two existing teams in each of those cities scream about cutting into their market. The unfortunate reality is that no one has a solution to the rolling bye that will not involve a significant change to the competition. A quick look at the VFL ladder fiasco shows what happens when teams are all over the place on numbers of games played. Mad as Hell's idea of relegation of the 19th team is of course the mathematical solution but finance wise I just cannot see relegation working for most clubs. (Would a player be entitled to a free trade form a club that is relegated. Who funds the minimum player payments of the team when it is relegated and for how long. Do they continue on the same stadium deals? The issues just continue.)

If Jefferson goes before our pick I can see us trading down into George territory and pick up an extra pick which could be another future pick.

It’s still likely to have 1- Lions (f/son) Ashcroft 2- GWS :Cadman 3- Kangas : Wardlaw 4- Kangas : Tsatas 5- Bombers : Sheezel 6- Suns: Humphrey 7 - Hawks : Ginbey 8- Cats: Clark 9- Eagles: Busslinger 10- Saints: Mckenzie 11- Carlton: Phillipou 12- Bulldogs: Hollands 13 - Eagles: Allan 14- Dees… leaves us with a Hewitt or Jefferson choice. (we should bid on Davey or Fletcher if no other clubs have pushed that button) . I’d prefer Phillipou, Hollands or Allan but I’m thinking they’ll be gone. Hewitt is that tough skilled midfielder who is ready to play. His inside determination and good speed are AFL quality already. Sure we have a strong midfield but this kid adds more strength. Jefferson is the type of player we need but he’s a few years away in terms of physical readiness. Plays like the King brothers as the tall gangly key forward. May be tempting as a local lad. Brayden George and Gruzewski are the probably the wildcard options for our 1st pick.

Good story on Sam Gilbey on AFL website. Certainly was a top 15 chance at the start of the 2022 year before firstly glandular fever and then a broken leg meant we saw little action from him this year. His left foot skill and delivery is not unlike Hayden Young or Jack Scrimshaw type. Taller 6’2” half year. Interesting to see if he drifts and is available around the mid 30s. Could be a nice “Hibbo replacement” if JT was a fan.

you'r not eddie everywhere are you, mah? joking aside, some good lateral thinking there

That's if you go at 3 in the morning. It's a [censored] place to get to and hot as hell out there.

Slowly coming around to Jefferson the more I've thought about him in depth and the position he players and just watching his video's. My only concern is that if we were to select him, his career would pan out more as that floating 3rd tall then a key positional FF or CHF. Similar to how Jack Watts career panned when we all hoped he was going to be that traditional key forward that we lacked since Neitz retired.

Matthew Jefferson will play many great games for the Red and Blue if selected🤩

This is apropos of nothing really but I just had to share it. I was speaking (well listening) to a female acquaintance yesterday and she saw fit to inform me of of the cause of our rather odd weather conditions. Apparently there was an earthquake last year ( location unspecified) which " knocked the Earth off its axles" and thus our our current extreme weather. Simples!

It's the land of the Indigenous tribe that the ground is located within. Boy oh boy WJ haven't you noticed the last few game details with this on under the grounds ordinary address!!

Not only is this behind a firewall but judging from the names of the authors, it also seems to be connected to the Herald Sun and Murdoch Media. So if you happen to already have a subscription to the HS (as I do via my wife’s account) then you still need to subscribe to this lot. Clever marketing but I’m not buying.

Anyone know about the members ticketing? Is it Melbourne AFLW members or Melbourne AFL and AFLW members? I'd be spewing to miss a ticket.

Just finished watching. We really took a while to get our rhythm but we got there. I thought Paxy was just bloody huge today. Inspirational. We're two and a half hours drive from some weird construction site of a footy field for the granny. It could be the first flag I see a Melbourne team secure live in the 55 years I've been alive. I can't wait. Let's do it girls. A team to be really proud of.

I have to confess to not getting on board with the AFLW much. Not out of sexist belligerence that you see from the blokes on facebook, but because I just haven’t made the time. The PF was the first game I’ve watched this year and the standard of the game is through the roof compared to previous years. It’s amazing what a few years of training in a professional environment and actually having a pathway to get there makes. Saw the hallmark of a really good side in the second half. North were completely on top but the damage on the scoreboard was minimal, then we crushed them in the last. Got goosebumps with Daisy’s sealer. Looking forward to the granny.

Seeing what Carlton have built at Princes’ Park for ‘the home of AFLW’ is ridiculous. All the money has gone to Carlton and there hasn’t been a single upgrade for the fans. The place is even more decrepit than it was in the 90’s. The way for us to get anything built is to fabricated a politically beneficial cause. The best part of it is it doesn’t even have to be true!

Completely disagree. Teammates will keep kicking it to him because he is quite obviously intended to be the goalkicker. Yes, in the very famous incident where he didn’t pass to Petracca, he missed the goal. If he didn’t miss the goal, no one would’ve complained. Nine or more times out of 10, he gets that goal. The number of times we played ringaringarosie with handpasses because people would not take a shot, and ultimately the ball would be killed and cleared, was ridiculous. Fritsch is there to kick goals and should never be criticised for attempting to do so.

I think the spectacle is greatly enhanced by popularity. Entertainment has always been razzle, dazzle. From a skills point of view, I think they are great at following directions, and all understand roles and structures well. Their on field talk ànd support is great. The games are very emotionally rewarding and I look forward to watching and following them. What's not to like. Addit: It is different to the mens game, but so are many things produced by females. That's why we need to hear their voices, experiences, expressions, and take notice of the best women in their field (help the least). Only when fully accepted will we have a balanced world. Oh yea, plus the many other voices from our diversified and eventually inclusive world.

Might go the way of the pre-game stretch routine. Long been shown that a proper warm up and mild working through of different parts of the body is the way to go, not the specific 'stretch-out' processes that used to be so standard. Stretching as a targeted activity is supposed to be done as a 'lifestyle' every day to continuously build and maintain the baseline of flexibility. Looks like something similar with the cold-water and ice bath therapies. A good way to stimulate blood flow and over time develop a better circulation at the fine capillaries, but not as a direct response to specific damage. Maybe the reason stretching and cold water treatment is still emphasized in these 'targeted' spaces is because otherwise we'd all have to admit we just can't be buggered doing a 30 minute stretch session every morning followed by a cold shower. Like some kind of 'Anna McNulty meets Wim Hof' nightmare.

The same (I named Gillard as one of our best), but I think Lions are a better forward line. I don’t want Birch on Wardlaw (Lions tall forward). Thought North did well to get a mismatch, with Birch often taking the taller one. They also need to help each other when out pointed, with someone cutting infront.

Springfield hosting the Grand Final!?!? What an embarrassment! If QLD can’t provide a venue of at least 20K the game should be in another state

I’m not a fan of our depth but let’s not rehash that. Jackson, Rivers, Pickett and Bowey played in a flag in years 2 and 1! Forget year 1. That’s a bonus. But year 2 is realistic for good draftees who have the physical tools and traits to play roles. JVR might contribute next year. Not saying I’d swap them but a lot of that list in his draft would play for us next year too. Nas, Lohmann, Wilmot, Chesser. Barnett, Jefferson and George after a year out are odds against to be best 22 in 2024 IMO. They’re 2025 guys. If they’re the best player and likely to be guns when they’re 23-30 years old then go for it, but it would be ideal if we get the best player on our board and that is someone who can play early.

I'm pretty sure Ellison nominated for the National Draft a few years ago and wasn't picked. Therefore, we or any club could have signed him at any time and can do so after this Draft as part of the spp. He was in this year's mid-season draft but not picked up. I hope he gets picked up by someone as he had a very good year.

The top two things for me that a KPD should have as part of their game is contested marking and goal kicking. After watching the two highlights packages of both Cadman and Jefferson several times IMO Jefferson has Cadman covered in both those areas. I’m then asking myself why is Cadman rated so far ahead of Jefferson phantom drafts. Cadman kicked 34 in 12 games this year which is a great achievement, Jefferson only played the six games (I’m guessing he was injured) for 14 goals. Cadman is more imposing at under 18’s at 88kg, 12kg’s heavier than Jefferson. Aaron Cadman National Championships, 2022 Victoria Country (National Talent Database) National Talent Database Player 4Games Played 2Best Player 10Total Goals VICTORIA COUNTRY U18 BOYS GP BP G TOTAL 4 2 10 NAB AFL National Championships 4 2 10 VS Victoria Metro U18 BoysRound 7, 22 Sep 2022 1 1 3 VS Western Australia U18 BoysRound 5, 17 Jul 2022 1 1 3 VS Allies BoysRound 3, 03 Jul 2022 1 - 2 VS South Australia U18 BoysRound 2, 26 Jun 2022 1 - 2 Mathew Jefferson : National Championships, 2022 Victoria Metro (National Talent Database) National Talent Database Player 4Games Played 3Best Player 14Total Goals VICTORIA METRO U18 BOYS GP BP G TOTAL 4 3 14 NAB AFL National Championships 4 3 14 VS Victoria Country U18 BoysRound 7, 22 Sep 2022 1 1 2 VS South Australia U18 BoysRound 4, 17 Jul 2022 1 - 3 VS Western Australia U18 BoysRound 3, 02 Jul 2022 1 1 7 VS Allies BoysRound 2, 25 Jun 2022 1 1 2 Aaron Cadman : NAB League, 2022 Greater Western Victoria Rebels (NAB League) NAB League 12Games Played 8Best Player 34Total Goals GREATER WESTERN VICTORIA REBELS BOYS GP BP G TOTAL 12 8 34 NAB League Boys 12 8 34 VS Northern Knights BoysFinals Round 1, 27 Aug 2022 1 1 2 VS Geelong Falcons BoysRound 16, 21 Aug 2022 1 1 4 VS Gippsland Power BoysRound 15, 07 Aug 2022 1 1 3 VS Eastern Ranges BoysRound 14, 30 Jul 2022 1 - 2 VS Western Jets BoysRound 13, 23 Jul 2022 1 1 5 VS Oakleigh Chargers BoysRound 10, 18 Jun 2022 1 1 4 VS Dandenong Stingrays BoysRound 9, 04 Jun 2022 1 - 1 VS Western Jets BoysRound 8, 28 May 2022 1 1 5 VS Murray Bushrangers BoysRound 5, 01 May 2022 1 1 1 VS Sydney Swans (NAB League) BoysRound 4, 24 Apr 2022 1 - 3 VS Geelong Falcons BoysRound 3, 14 Apr 2022 1 - 0 VS Bendigo Pioneers BoysRound 1, 02 Apr 2022 1 1 4 Mathew Jefferson : NAB League, 2022 Oakleigh Chargers (NAB League) NAB League Player 6Games Played 4Best Player 14Total Goals OAKLEIGH CHARGERS BOYS GP BP G TOTAL 6 4 14 NAB League Boys 6 4 14 VS Bendigo Pioneers BoysFinals Round 1, 28 Aug 2022 1 - 3 VS Sandringham Dragons BoysRound 16, 20 Aug 2022 1 1 4 VS Calder Cannons BoysRound 4, 23 Apr 2022 1 1 3 VS Eastern Ranges BoysRound 3, 16 Apr 2022 1 1 0 VS Northern Knights BoysRound 2, 10 Apr 2022 1 1 3 VS Sandringham Dragons BoysRound 1, 03 Apr 2022 1 - 1 I’m thinking the National Championship is the biggest stage these kids have played on so their respective highlights for these games should be regarded higher than their TAC games. I would not be disappointed if we selected Jefferson with our first pick.

James Jordon and Luke Dunstan are Unrestricted Free Agents