Demonland

A beautiful sunny Friday afternoon, with a light breeze and a strong Windy Hill crowd set the scene, inviting one team to seize the day and take the important four points on offer. For the Demons it was not a good Friday, easily beaten by an all-time largest losing margin of 65 points. Essendon threw themselves into action today, winning most of the contests and had three early goals with Daria Bannister on fire. In contrast the Demons were dropping marks, hesitant in close and committing elementary skill errors due to the Bombers real and perceived pressure. The effort and skill execution by the Demons was poor today. Essendon monstered Melbourne at the contest, winning the ball far too easily. Our defence was shambolic at times. Mick Stinear later commented that our inability to launch meaningful counterattacks was very frustrating. We had only one mark in our forward-50 for the day. 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. Crushing result! For the Dees There will be no Demon players in any votes this week, but special mentions must go to Maeve Chaplin and Tyla Hanks who toiled hard all afternoon. Also, Ryleigh Wotherspoon snapped a nice goal in the second quarter. Her first in AFLW but sadly the Demons only goal of the day. Fresh injuries to report with Shelley Heath down with a hurt shoulder that looked quite serious, while Eliza McNamara bravely came back on to the ground with a fractured nose. Was it kosher to risk her? Paxy’s played today but you could tell at the ground that her foot is still tender. Our injuries have given opportunities for almost everyone on the 2024 list to display their footy wares, but it appears that some are not ready yet to compete at this level. Only a handful of our players met the levels of hunger and physicality required today. The Coaching and leadership teams have to somehow turn it around with limited options available. Oops moment of the match To commence the second half, Goldie brilliantly wins the opening clearance and runs typically straight ahead, booting it 40 metres out of the centre. Unfortunately, no one had reminded her which end we were kicking so it sailed the wrong way into the Bombers forward line. Coaches and next week Melbourne Coach Mick Stinear was bitterly disappointed with his team’s effort and skill execution, which was not at the level required. The few new injuries hurt too. The Bombers were plus 40 in contested possessions. It just wasn’t good enough, he said. Essendon coach Natalie Wood said it was a stunning day and a great reward for her players and the vocal Bomber supporters who came along to the ground. She was really pleased with the consistent four quarter effort. The Demons play fellow-struggler GWS at Ikon Park this Thursday evening which, in theory, should be a chance to bounce back at our favourite venue. C’mon Demons, let’s turn it around. See ya there! 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 INJURIES MELBOURNE McNamara (nose), Heath (shoulder) ESSENDON Van De Heuvel (knee) REPORTS MELBOURNE Nil ESSENDON Nil CROWD 3,325 at Windy Hill

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 Sydney v Brisbane at the MCG, 2.30pm AEST SYDNEY In: Nil Out: Nil PF sub: Robbie Fox BRISBANE In: D.Fort Out: O.McInerney (shoulder) PF sub: Conor McKenna Finals, Grand Final experience SYDNEY Dane Rampe: 22 finals, three GFs Tom McCartin: Eight finals, one GF Nick Blakey: Six finals, one GF Jake Lloyd: 19 finals, three GFs Harry Cunningham: 14 finals, one GF Lewis Melican: Four finals James Jordon: Six finals, one GF, one premiership Chad Warner: Seven finals, one GF Ollie Florent: Eight finals, one GF Luke Parker: 25 finals, four GFs, one premiership Logan McDonald: Five finals Errol Gulden: Seven finals, one GF Tom Papley: 14 finals, two GFs Joel Amartey: Three finals Will Hayward: Eight finals, one GF Brodie Grundy: 11 finals, one GF Isaac Heeney: 16 finals, two GFs James Rowbottom: Seven finals, one GF Matt Roberts: Two finals Braeden Campbell: Six finals, one GF Justin McInerney: Seven finals, one GF Hayden McLean: Five finals, one GF Robbie Fox: Six finals, one GF Total: 216 finals, 28 GFs, two premierships BRISBANE Dayne Zorko: 15 finals, one GF Harris Andrews: 15 finals, one GF Noah Answerth: Seven finals Brandon Starcevich: 13 finals, one GF Jack Payne: Nine finals Ryan Lester: Nine finals, one GF Jaspa Fletcher: Six finals, one GF Will Ashcroft: Three finals Hugh McCluggage: 15 finals, one GF Cam Rayner: 12 finals, one GF Joe Daniher: 12 finals, one GF Jarrod Berry: 15 finals, one GF Charlie Cameron: 22 finals, two GFs Eric Hipwood: 13 finals, one GF Callum Ah Chee: 11 finals, one GF Darcy Fort: One final Josh Dunkley: 17 finals, three GFs, one premiership Lachie Neale: 22 finals, two GFs Kai Lohmann: Three finals Logan Morris: Three finals Zac Bailey: 15 finals, one GF Darcy Wilmot: Nine finals, one GF Conor McKenna: Eight finals, one GF Total: 255 finals, 19 GFs, one premiership

Last Saturday’s crushing loss to Fremantle, after being three goals ahead at three quarter time, should be motivation enough to bounce back for this very winnable Round 5 clash at Windy Hill. A first-time venue for the Melbourne AFLW team, this should be a familiar suburban, windy, footy environment for the players. Essendon were brave and competitive last week against ladder leader Adelaide at Sturt’s home ground. A familiar name, Maddison Gay, was the Bombers best player with a game-high 23 disposals showing off her intercepts and precise kicking. The only Bomber to earn a coaches vote in the 33-point defeat. Watching Essendon, they have a good midfield with another Madison, Prespakis, Georgia Nanscawen, Steph Cain and quick players such as ex Blue Georgia Gee and Sophie Van De Heuvel. Former Casey player Steph Wales is a developing mobile ruck but has only limited support. The Demons and Bombers have won only one game each this season and sit 14th and 15th on the ladder respectively. An understatement that Friday’s clash is a ‘must-win’ game for both teams. Selection this week The injury list expanded with additions of Grace Beasley (ACL), Eden Zanker (Knee) and Blaithin Mackin (Calf). Paxy Paxman and speedster Jemma Rigoni are listed a ‘test’so both could be available. The Club announced that ex Port Adelaide player Lily Johnson will debut for the red and blue. She has trained with the backs and looked promising in her preseason work. With limited options available expect anyone fit to be seriously considered for selection. Essendon has been missing their talisman captain Bonnie Toogood for several weeks but by comparison the Bombersare close to full strength. Meggs view Mick hinted that this season, the workload is not being shared effectively amongst his playing group. Eliza McNamara played her best game for the Dees last week and has been excellent all year, as has Sinead Goldrick. Together with Kate Hore they continue to work so hard to lift their team. Maeve Chaplin has been a real stalwart in defence and her attack, intercept marking and kicking have been highlights. Hanksy improved her output last week and Campbell is slowly grasping the number one ruck mantle. With Edo out, youngster Georgia Gall becomes our primary lead up forward holding out her dukes, with Alyssia Pisano buzzing around crumbing for goals. Wotherspoon is wasted at half forward. She is strong and battle-ready, give her some midfield rotations Mick. Essendon will be highly competitive on Friday, but Melbourne has aces such as Hore and Hanks. If enough Demon teammates step up, share the burden, win the contests and execute skills under pressure, we will win this. Melbourne to defuse the Bombers this week. Go Dees! Melbourne by 13 points THE GAME Round 5: Melbourne v Essendon Friday 27 September 2024 at 2:05pm (Melbourne time) Windy Hill, Melbourne - Wurundjeri HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 1 win Essendon 0 wins At Windy Hill Melbourne 0 wins Essendon 0 wins The Coaches Stinear 1 win Wood 0 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Footy, Kayo. Mobile – AFL Live Official App THE LAST TIME THEY MET - Season 7 Round 9 Melbourne 7.8 (50) defeated Essendon 1.3 (9) at Casey Fields, 23 October 2022 MELBOURNE 2.2 4.2 7.5 7.8 (50) ESSENDON 0.0 1.3 1.3 1.3 (9) With momentum building towards a Top 2 finish, the Demons’ superior skills, and 4-quarter effort produced a solid 41-point win in tricky windy conditions. Coach Mick Stinear was pleased with his team’s intensity and competitiveness. He praised defenders Shelley Heath, young key back Tahlia Gillard and the emerging defender Maeve Chaplin. Paxy led the way with a goal and 24 disposals (10 of which were contested), while Kate Hore kicked 3 goals and Alyssa Bannan kicked 2. GOALS MELBOURNE Hore 3, Bannan 2, Paxman, Zanker ESSENDON Phillips BEST MELBOURNE Paxman, Heath, Gillard, West, Hore ESSENDON Philips, Prespakis, Vogt, Marshall INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil ESSENDON Nil CROWD 1,518 at Casey Fields THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B Colvin Gillard HB Chaplin Heath Goldrick C McNamara Hanks Fitzsimon HF Gall Hore Wotherspoon F Bannan Pisano FOLL Campbell Mithen Lampard I/C Hill Johnson Paxman Taylor Watt EMG Casey D'Arcy Madigan IN Johnson Paxman OUT B Mackin (calf) Zanker (knee) ESSENDON B Clarke Van Loon HB Van De Heuvel Gamble Morcom C Keaney Prespakis Gaylor HF Bannister Gee Gay F Alexander Scott FOLL Wales Nanscawen Cain I/C Jacques Radford Vogt Walker EMG Dyke Williamson Adams NO CHANGE Injury List: Round 5 Melbourne Paxy Paxman Foot Test Jemma Rigoni Groin Test Saraid Taylor Calf 1 - 2 weeks Olivia Purcell Face 3 - 4 weeks Lauren Pearce Wrist 4 weeks Blaithin Mackin Calf 3 - 5 weeks Eden Zanker Knee TBC Grace Beasley ACL Season Tayla Harris Shoulder Season Jacinta Hose ACL Season Aimee Mackin ACL Season Essendon Emily Gough Calf 2 weeks Bonnie Toogood MCL 2-4 weeks Brooke Brown Calf 3 weeks