How will Mick Stinear and his dwindling list of fit and available Demons respond to last week’s 65-point capitulation to the Bombers, the team’s biggest loss in history?
As a minimum he will expect genuine effort from all of his players when Melbourne takes on the GWS Giants at Ikon Park this Thursday.
Happily, the ground remains a favourite Melbourne venue of players and spectators alike and will provide an opportunity for the Demons to redeem themselves.
Injuries to star players such as Liv Purcell, Tayla Harris, Lauren Pearce, the Mackin sisters, and last year’s leading goal scorer, Eden Zanker are impacting performance through lack of connection and on-field leadership.
The Demons have trialled nearly all of its draftees and train-on players, but the experience drain is proving catastrophic. Including practice matches we have lost 9 of the past 10 games.
Difficult end of season discussions around Mick’s coaching contract and the Melbourne playing list composition lies ahead.
The Demons have just one win and a percentage of 47.9% and sit 16th on the ladder. GWS by comparison has one win and one draw with a percentage of 113.2%.
Unlike the Demons, GWS has been competitive in most games.
GWS, with better form and only a couple of long-term injuries, will start favourites this week.
Selection this week
The already season-destroying injury list has grown again this week.
Paxy’s foot was visibly impacting her running at Windy Hill and will miss a week.
Indefatigable winger Eliza McNamara wore an errant elbow against the Bombers which broke her schnoz and will also miss one week.
Another diminutive warrior Shelley Heath busted her shoulder but is remarkably listed as a test. Gee Shell is tough.
Speedster Jemma Rigoni is available and will not surprise if the Number 43 debuts this week given Lize’s unavailability.
Sarah D’Arcy and Sophie Casey from VFLW were listed as emergencies last week.
Meggs’ view
We will miss MacNamara this week, she has been outstanding all year.
Lize, B Mackin, Goldrick, Hore, Hanks, Paxy, and Chaplin have been consistently listed in our best players in matches this year. The sense being there is not enough contribution from the balance of players helping out.
GWS has seasoned midfielders in Alyce Parker, Alicia Eva and Bec Beeson.
Georgia Garnett and Zarlie Goldsworthy are dangerous forwards, while Tarni Evans kicked 3 goals for them last week. They will keep our defenders busy.
Ex Dee and strong defender Kat Smith is the GWS Giants vice-captain and might run around chasing Alyssia Pisano.
If enough Demon teammates step up, share the burden, win the contests and execute skills under pressure, we could win this and redeem ourselves.
Go Dees!
Melbourne by 3 points
THE GAME
Round 6: Melbourne v GWS Giants
Thursday 3 October 2024 at 7:15pm (Melbourne time) Ikon Park, Melbourne - Wurundjeri
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall Melbourne 5 wins GWS 1 win
At IKON Park Melbourne 0 wins GWS 0 wins
The Coaches Stinear 2 wins Bernasconi 0 wins
MEDIA
TV - Fox Footy, Kayo.
Mobile – AFL Live Official App
THE LAST TIME THEY MET - 2023 Round 2
Melbourne 15.9 (99) defeated GWS Giants 3.4 (22) at Manuka Oval, 10 September 2023
MELBOURNE 4.1 7.5 8.7 15.9 (99)
GWS GIANTS 2.1 2.1 3.3 3.4 (22)
Melbourne kicked the 3rd highest score in AFLW history to romp home against Greater Western Sydney (GWS) in Canberra by 77 points.
Giant Killer, Captain Kate Hore was awesome with 23 disposals, 420 metres gained, 6 tackles and 5 goals 2 behinds.
Coach Mick Stinear praised the versatility of the Melbourne playing group.
The GWS coach was disappointed that the Dees slammed on 7 last quarter goals, creating a ‘sour ending’ to the night for his team. He felt GWS was in the game at ¾ time. Wishful thinking Cam.
GOALS
MELBOURNE Hore 5, Bannan 3, Purcell 2, Lampard 2, Zanker, Mackin, Mithen
GWS GIANTS Garnett, Doyle, Eva
BEST
MELBOURNE Hore, Lampard, Hanks, Pearce, Purcell
GWS GIANTS Barr, Eva, Evans, Parker, Beeson
INJURIES
MELBOURNE Nil
GWS GIANTS Nil
CROWD 2,028 at Manuka Oval
THE TEAMS
MELBOURNE
B Colvin Gillard
HB Goldrick Chaplin Taylor
C Lampard Hore Johnson
HF Gall Mithen Pisano
F Bannan Campbell
FOLL Watt Hanks Heath
I/C D'Arcy Fitzsimon Hill Madigan Wotherspoon
EMG Casey Lin Rigoni
IN D'Arcy Madigan
OUT McNamara (nose) Paxman (foot)
GWS GIANTS
B Randall Smith
HB Ransom Huntington Pease
C Srhoj Eva Brazendale
HF Evans Garnett Zreika
F Goldsworthy Mowbray
FOLL O'Dowd Beeson Parker
I/C Bradfield Davies Doyle Gaffney Grierson
EMG Miller Murphy Ramsdale
IN Gaffney
OUT Newman (knee)
Injury List: Round 6
Melbourne
Shelley Heath — Shoulder Test
Saraid Taylor — Calf Test
Eliza McNamara — Nose 1 week
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
GWS Giants
Aliesha Newman — Knee 2-3 weeks
Indigo Linde — Calf 3 weeks
Cambridge McCormick — Ankle 4-6 weeks
Nicola Barr — Hamstring Season
Chloe Dalton — Back Season
Daisy Walker — Knee Season
