The Ikon Vibe It’s Pink Lady night at Princes Park — a vibey Friday evening setting for a high-stakes clash between second-placed Melbourne and eleventh-placed Essendon. The wind-sheltered IKON Park, a favourite ground of the Demon players, promises flair, fire and a touch of pink. Melbourne has never lost a home-and-away game here, though the ghosts of two straight-sets finals exits in 2023 still linger. Revenge is in the air — especially after last year’s 65-point Windy Hill walloping, a loss that saw Meggs leave early, and the Bombers leave with the chocolates. Essendon (3-4) kept the unsinkable Kangaroos scoreless in the first quarter last week, asserting plenty of physical pressure. Coach, Natalie Wood will be carefully crafting matchups and priming her Bombers for some biffo under Friday night lights. The team will run out with pink socks for PLAY4BCNA, raising awareness and funds for breast cancer. It’s a night for purpose, pride — and points. With six wins from seven, the Dees are looking good. In the pink, indeed. The Match-up Essendon and Melbourne have only met twice, with one victory each. In the 7 rounds played so far, Melbourne has well-beaten 5 teams by an average of 59 points (all teams that sit outside the eight except West Coast). In the only two matches where there was sustained opposition pressure, the Demons were fumbly (Collingwood and Port Adelaide). Look for the Bombers to try an emulate the Pies and Power. The Demon stars are doin’ it week-in, week-out. AFLW Coaches are recognising our stars with Tyla Hanks 4th and Kate Hore 6th on the Champion Player of the Year leaderboard and Megan Fitzsimon rated a perfect ten last week. Mick Stinear is encouraged with Melbourne’s revamped midfield through the terrific performances of Fitzy, Shelley Heath, Maeve Chaplin, and Eliza McNamara, supporting Hanksy and Kate. Experienced pair Steph Cain and Maddie Prespakis lead the Bombers mids with support from Georgia Nascawen and the emerging Amy Gaylor. Essendon have a very capable ruck in ex-Casey Demon Steph Wales who plays more like a ruck rover. Watch her, very talented. Bonnie Toogood is the Bombers talisman, captain and best player, who does her most damaging work as a forward. Mick has plenty of defensive weapons available such as Tahlia Gillard, Gaby Colvin and the more mobile Sinead Goldrick. With our forward line averaging 65 points a match, expect Eden Zanker, Georgia Gall, Tayla Harris, Alyssa Bannan and Kate Hore to kick a winning score. The Bombers will come at us like they did against North but our polish and precision should win the day. Megan’s Metamorphosis Fitzy’s metamorphosis is complete — from pressure player to midfield maestro. In 2025, she’s making elite decisions, showcasing her silky skills, and earning the recognition she deserves. With 10 coaches’ votes last week, she’s no longer flying under the radar — she’s just flying. Selection this week Available players include Georgia Campbell and Denby Taylor, while Irish star Blaithin Mackin is listed as a test. Don’s designated defensive distributor Maddie Gay has a knee strain and listed as a test. Faring worse than Melbourne, Essendon has lost five players to season ending injuries. Meggs’ musings On century-watch, Brisbane two-time premiership coach Craig Starcevich hits the ton this week – a trailblazer for AFLW coaching. Mick Stinear’s century looms large too, with finals just around the corner and captain Kate sits on 95 career goals. Last year’s Windy Hill walloping still stings. Hoping the Demons bring intent and hunger to IKON. Essendon’s midfield is no joke. Prespakis, Cain, and Wales will test us. But Melbourne’s strength on each line should prove too strong for the Bombers. Go Demons! Tip: Melbourne by 27 points THE GAME Round 8: Melbourne vs Essendon on Friday 3 October 2025 at 7:15pm (AEST) at IKON Park, Melbourne – Wurundjeri HEAD TO HEAD Overall: Melbourne 1 win | Essendon 1 win At Princes Park: Melbourne 0 wins | Essendon 0 wins Coaches: Stinear 1 win | Wood 1 win MEDIA COVERAGE Seven, 7Plus, Foxtel, Kayo AFL Live Official App THE LAST TIME THEY MET Season 9, Round 5 – 27 September 2024 at Windy Hill MELBOURNE 1.1.7 1.1.7 1.1.7 1.1.7 ESSENDON 4.0.24 6.3.39 8.5.53 11.6.72 GOALS MELBOURNE Wotherspoon ESSENDON Bannister 4, Gamble 2, A. Clarke 2, Prespakis, Cain, Vogt BEST MELBOURNE Chaplin, Gillard, Goldrick, Hanks, Watt ESSENDON Prespakis, Bannister, Gee, G Clarke, Walker CROWD 3,325 at Windy Hill Still standing as the all-time largest losing margin, it was an unhappy trip to Windy Hill as Essendon monstered Melbourne at the contest, winning the ball far too easily. Bomber Maddy Prespakis, who wore a Heater tag, was clearly best on ground with 32 disposals and 7 clearances. She had plenty of support from Georgia Nanscawen, Steph Cain and ex-Dee Maddie Gay, while Bannister snagged 4 goals. The only goal for Melbourne was a nice snap by young Ry Wotherspoon, her first in AFLW. Melbourne Coach Mick Stinear was bitterly disappointed with his team’s effort and skill execution, which he said was ‘not at the level required’. The Bombers were plus 40 in contested possessions. The bad loss served as a catalyst for a season 2024 turnaround with Melbourne winning five of its next six games to almost sneak into the finals. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE FB [19] Laela Ebert, [17] Tahlia Gillard HB [23] Sinead Goldrick, [32] Gabrielle Colvin, [13] Maeve Chaplin C [22] Elizabeth McNamara, [5] Tyla Hanks [41 Paxy Paxman HF [24] Megan Fitzsimon, [6] Alyssa Bannan, [29] Eden Zanker FF [7] Tayla Harris, [91 Georgia Gall FOLL [15] Lauren Pearce, [10] Kate Hore, [30] Shelley Heath I/C [3] Alyssia Pisano, [20] Maggie Mahony, [12] Ryleigh Wotherspoon, [33] Lily Johnson, [11] Molly O'Hehir EMG [1] Georgia Campbell, [18] Denby Taylor [43] Jemma Rigoni IN Molly O’Hehir OUT Jemma Rigoni (omitted) ESSENDON FB [16] Matilda Dyke, [14] Ellyse Gamble HB [6] Maddison Gay, [17] Georgia Clarke, [28] Mia Busch C [10] Holly Ridewood, [4] Madison Prespakis , [21] Maggie MacLachlan HF [3] Daria Bannister, [24] Sophie Alexander, [7] Grace Belloni FF [8] Bonnie Toogood, I21 Georgia Gee FOLL [30] Stephanie Wales, [5] Georgia Nanscawen, [20] Stephanie Cain I/C [15] Chloe Adams, [23] Amy Gaylor, [32] Grace Brooker, [33] Courtney Murphy, [36] Brooke Brown EMG [26] Amelie Gladman [19] Mia Van Dyke, [11] Brooke Sheridan IN Madison Gay OUT Alexandra Morcom Injury List: Round 8 Melbourne Blaithin Mackin — knee / Test Molly O'Hehir — leg / 1 - 2 weeks Sarah Lampard — calf / 3 weeks Grace Beasley — knee / 4 - 6 weeks Saraid Taylor — hamstring / TBC Olivia Purcell — knee / Season Jacinta Hose — knee / Inactive Aimee Mackin — knee / Inactive Essendon Maddison Gay —ACL strain / Test Emily Gough — ACL / Season Amelia Radford — ACL / Season Sophie Van De Heuvel — PCL / Season Jess Verbrugge — Syndesmosis / Season Brooke Walker — ACL / Season
