It was such a nice vibe at Ikon on Friday night.
Princes Park looked in excellent condition, a relaxed but modest crowd and President Kate Roffey and CEO Gary Pert in attendance, greeting fans and shaking hands.
It was an evening with little to complain about for Dees supporters, save for some drizzling rain, a few missed scoring opportunities and the fact that the Dees as raging favourites duly took the four points.
Carlton was always going to struggle to cover the loss of forwards Vescio, McWilliams and Austin, defenders Velardo and Trudgeon and mid Guerin.
Before the match Meggs spoke to Phoebe McWIlliams, one of Carlton’s injured forwards, about her squad for tonight and the potential for a blowout. She was charming but quite confident in predicting that her coach Harford had some winning matchday moves to execute.
Let’s see.
Dees supporters at the ground were very pleased to see our champs, Harris and Goldrick, back and quite excited to see what Sabreena Duffy would bring to the matchday experience.
There was a banner telling us that our star ruck Lauren Pearce was playing her 50th game. Loz would be matching up tonight against fellow All-Australian, Breann Moody.
Tayla Harris’ booming first quarter goal from 50 metres was the perfect start on our way to a comfortable victory over the injury depleted Blues. Her contested marking and long kicking are such weapons for the Dees. It’s awesome to watch her at ground level.
This was one game where Dees supporters could relax and enjoy the game from the get-go. The only stat we were to lose was the free kick count, 21 to 9.
Q1
Inside two minutes, Gay passes to Tayla Harris who marks on the 50 metre line plays on and kicks a team inspiring goal. What a start!
The pressure is strong from both teams and there are lots of crunching bumps and tackles as both sides find the slippery conditions difficult. But it is obvious that Melbourne has the cleaner skillsets and is able to move the ball forward with more purpose.
Sheriff kicks nicely inside 50 to Hore who runs around her mark but misses to the right.
Moments later Mithen kicks deep inside 50 and Harris out marks two defenders, duly converting.
With clearances now 8:1, we are looking strong.
At quarter time it’s Carlton 0.1.1 to Melbourne 2.1.13.
Q2
Inside 1 minute, Bannan collects a loose ball with clean possession and handballs to a running Paxy who kicks a great goal on the run. Great play. We are looking good.
Laloifi is doing really well in defence for the Blues.
Purcell is in everything for the Dees and handballs to a running Lampard who, with time and space, misses her shot to the right.
A ball up in Carlton’s forward line results in a fortuitous goal off the ground by Moody.
Next, Hanks has a shot deep in the pocket which hits the post.
With a couple of minutes remaining in the quarter Daisy kicks forward and Duffy runs onto it for her first goal in the red and blue. Go Sab!
Moments later Kate Hore, under pressure from Laloifi, runs on to a loose ball deep in the forward pocket for a shot off the ground but misses.
And just before half-time with Melbourne surging forward again, Daisy is able to get a handball out to Harris who goals under lots of pressure from Carlton backs. Well played girls.
Dees dominating with 17:2 inside 50s for the quarter.
It’s Carlton 1.1.7 to Melbourne 5.4.34.
Q3
Carlton comes out after half-time with increased intensity.
Unfortunately, the rain has started drizzling which makes it tougher for skill execution.
Late in the quarter Blaithin Mackin scores a point, her first in AFLW. She just looks a natural out there.
Now into the final minute, Megan Fitzsimon, with excellent hands, finds West. Eliza W kicks ahead of the pack and Kate Hore runs onto, traps it with skill and then boots a great goal.
Finally, some reward for effort.
At three-quarter time it’s Carlton 1.2.8 to Melbourne 6.7.43.
Q4
Unfortunately, the match is already a foregone conclusion and Carlton don’t score in the last quarter.
A nice forward move by the Dees and Gay’s shot on the run misses everything.
Moments later Kate Hore has an opportunity to goal from 20 metres out, but her snap goes right.
We have to wait until inside the last 2 minutes to see the final goal.
A nice long kick by Gillard along the wing was well read off the pack by Zanker. Edo kicks it to the top of the goal square to a one-one. Lauren Pearce out plays her opponent Serena Gibbs by taking control of the footy and slams it through for our 7th goal. Well done Loz.
Celebration time!
It’s a 42-point victory to Melbourne.
Carlton 1.2.8 to Melbourne 7.8.50.
The Coaches and next week:
Coach Mick Stinear said that last week Melbourne lacked method and purpose against Brisbane, but we learned a lot from the loss and this provided us an edge for this week. We walk away tonight knowing we put in 4 quarters and ground out a good win.
Mick wants to remove the inconsistency of our performances, less slow deliberate play, and more quick ball movement. Sounding like Chris Scott (the 2022 version).
Daniel Harford said it was an enormous challenge for his weakened squad to come up against a competition leader. He commented how clean Melbourne’s skills were all night. He couldn’t question his sides effort and singled out Laloifi for her outstanding game.
Melbourne travels to Perth next week to play Fremantle at 3:10pm Melbourne time. Carlton plays the Giants on Saturday in Sydney.
Go Dees !
MELBOURNE 2.1.13 5.4.34 6.7.43 7.8.50
CARLTON 0.1.1 1.1.7 1.2.8 1.2.8
GOALS
MELBOURNE Harris 3 Duffy Hore Paxman L Pearce
CARLTON Moody
BEST
MELBOURNE Purcell West Harris Hanks Mithen
CARLTON Hill Mackay Laloifi Moody
INJURIES
MELBOURNE Nil
REPORTS
MELBOURNE Nil
CARLTON Nil
CROWD 1,580 at Ikon Park
