Demonland

VIC POWERHOUSE ALL BUT RULED OUT OF HOUSTON RACE Carlton appear almost certainly out of the race for dual All-Australian Dan Houston, as Collingwood’s bid for the Power star strengthens. The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph reported on Thursday morning that given the Blues’ assurance they will head to the draft with their first-round pick, their ability to acquire Houston at an optimal price for Port Adelaide seems long gone. Subsequently, it now looks as if only the Magpies and North Melbourne can move him out of Alberton. And while the Kangaroos are obviously behind the Pies in the pecking order, their favourable draft hand and openness to trade a future first-round pick leaves them still in the hunt. Joe Richards’ request to leave Collingwood for Port Adelaide has assisted the Pies’ negotiations on Houston significantly, with Ralph also reporting that “extensive meetings” have taken place between the Power, Magpies and Houston’s management in the last 24 hours. Houston has not officially nominated a club of choice, but it is the understanding of most at this stage that Collingwood is a preferred destination.

And learnings. Don't forget learnings.

Hump day mid-week footy at the Redlegs home ground is a great opportunity to build on our recent improved competitiveness playing in the red and blue. The jumper has a few other colours this week with the rainbow Pride flag flying this round to celebrate people from all walks of life coming together, being accepted. AFLW has been a benchmark when it comes to inclusivity and a safe workplace. The team will run out in a specially designed guernsey for this game and also the following week against St Kilda. Despite having a 100% winning record at Norwood (hmmm, only the one game), we are longshots with the bookies this week. However, Kate Hore and Tyla Hanks led brilliantly last week from the centre square alongside Heathy, Mitho and Fitzy. Let’s hope the team can back it up to celebrate Kate’s 75th game! Maeve Chaplin is having a stellar season (Libby who?), and 50-game milestoner Sinead Goldrick has been energised all year and are two key components of the new-look Demon defence. While the Dees were really encouraging last week, we should note that GWS, our opposition, was one of the least experienced teams in this year’s competition. This week’s challenger Adelaide is a heavyweight of the competition and will surely be wanting to make a statement for their home crowd. Selection this week Just one change with the indefatigable Eliza McNamara in and debutant defender Delany Madigan omitted. Experienced top-up player Sarah D’Arcy keeps her spot. Meggs was enthused by her work against GWS. Demon emergencies this week are Madigan, Jemma Rigoni and Saraid Taylor. The Crows have lost 3 players to injury: Teah Charlton,Hannah Munyard, and Abbie Ballard Lily Tarlinton will make her AFLW debut in their absence, while both Taylah Levy and Rachelle Martin have been recalled after being managed last week. Meggs’ view Eliza McNamara, who looks like she’s preparing early for Halloween with those black eyes, is a welcome return on the wing. Adelaide’s Niamh Kelly is a real danger for the Dees. In the last game against the Crows, St Kilda threw players behind the ball to help restrict Adelaide from scoring and making it a tough physical game. This worked to a point, but it meant that the Saints weren’t able engage in run and carry to counterattack. But it was only a 4-point margin in the end. Our scoring will likely rely on Alyssa Bannan and Alyssia Pisano getting busy again. At the other end Tahlia Gillard will need to be on her A-game as dangerous tall forward Caitlin Gould has kicked 7 goals in her last 4 games. The midfield battle and centre clearances usually determine results, and Adelaide has strong experienced bodies in Anne Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff to name two. Wednesday evening will be a huge test for the Dees. Hopefully we can surprise on the upside with a competitive performance but allow for the fact we have a long list of high-quality players unavailable. Go Dees! Adelaide by 24 points THE GAME Round 7: Melbourne v Adelaide Wednesday 9 October 2024 at 7:45pm (Melbourne time) Norwood Oval, Adelaide - Kaurna HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 5 wins Adelaide 5 wins At Norwood Oval Melbourne 1 win Adelaide 0 wins The Coaches Stinear 5 wins Clarke 5 wins MEDIA TV – 7mate, Fox Footy, Kayo. Radio - WARF Radio THE LAST TIME THEY MET - 2023 Round 6 Adelaide 8.8.56 defeated Melbourne 7.4.46 at Casey Fields, 7 October 2023 MELBOURNE 2.4.16 2.4.16 3.4.22 7.4.46 ADELAIDE 0.0.0 2.4.16 6.5.41 8.8.56 GOALS
 MELBOURNE Zanker 5 McNamara 2
 ADELAIDE Hatchard Marinoff Ponter 2, Gould Jones BEST MELBOURNE Zanker Gay Goldrick Hanks Hore McNamara
 ADELAIDE Marinoff Hatchard Kelly Allan Randall CROWD 1,975 at Casey Fields Scores were level at half-time but a third quarter domination by Adelaide rattled the Dees. Midfield beasts Hatchard and Marinoff led the way as the Crows kicked 6 unanswered goals. Deep in the third quarter and against the run of play, Eliza McNamara kicked a desperately needed running goal to halt the momentum. Melbourne fights back to within 3 points in the last quarter with Zanker on fire but Caitlin Gould goals and we fall short by 10 points. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B Colvin Gillard HB Chaplin D. Taylor Goldrick C Lampard Hanks McNamara HF Gall Mithen Pisano F Bannan Campbell FOLL Watt Hore Heath I/C D'Arcy Fitzsimon Hill Johnson Wotherspoon EMG Madigan Rigoni S Taylor IN McNamara OUT Madigan (omitted) ADELAIDE B Prowse Randall HB Mueller Allan Goodwin C Kelly Hatchard Thompson HF Levy Gould Martin F Biddell Ponter FOLL Allan Marinoff Newman I/C Boileau Boyle-Carr Kustermann Tarlinton Varnhagen EMG Henry Tonon Waterhouse IN Levy Martin Tarlinton OUT Ballard (knee) Charlton (adductor) Munyard (foot) Injury List: Round 7 Melbourne Saraid Taylor Calf Test Paxy Paxman Foot 1 week Olivia Purcell Face 2-3 weeks Lauren Pearce Wrist 3 weeks Blaithin Mackin Calf 3 weeks Eden Zanker Knee TBC Grace Beasley ACL Season Tayla Harris Shoulder Season Jacinta Hose ACL Season Aimee Mackin ACL Season Adelaide Najwa Allen Hamstring 1-2 weeks Abbie Ballard Knee 1 week Teah Charlton Adductor 1 week Hannah Munyard Foot 1 week Brooke Smith Collarbone 7-9 weeks Eloise Jones Achilles Season