Demonland

The Dees convincingly overcome the fast-starting reigning-premiers Adelaide to win by 21 points in a fiery Qualifying Final match at Ikon Park on Friday evening. In that first quarter Adelaide jumped out of the blocks kicking their first goal inside 20 seconds finishing with 3 goals to nil. All was quiet at Ikon Park. Melbourne, having easily outplayed lesser opponents over the past six weeks took time to ratchet up their intensity. But, by mid to late first quarter, the Dees began to exhibit signs of wresting back control. Mick Stinear had matched up Goldie on 4-time AFLW most courageous player award winner, skipper Chelsea Randall keeping her to 7 possessions and 6 tackles for the game. Lampard was initially assigned to the dangerous Danielle Ponter but at the quarter time break Mick moved Heath to Ponter and Lampard to a wing. They were great moves — Lampy impressed everyone with her two goals and Heath was in everything laying seven hard tackles, as she does. Feeling the pressure at quarter time, Stinear asked his charges to go harder and believe in our system. Our system works. By half-time the Dees were 2 points up. A highlight of the second quarter was Bannan’s six — bounce sprint down the wing, right in front of us madly cheering fans. It was very exciting to watch live despite it not ending in a goal. The act itself helped build and change momentum. In the midfield Liv Purcell (BOG) and Tayla Harris were outstanding as we started successfully executing our trademark handball and running game. The Dees won the possession count 258 to 182 and marks 43 to 24. What about Mackin having 15 disposals? In just a few months of learning our game she has exhibited remarkable aptitude, speed, and game sense. Blaithin and Alyssa were selling lots of candy tonight. Adelaide only scored one more goal for the match after quarter time. Even though you felt the Dees were on top the difference was only four points at ¾ time. In the last quarter the Dees kicked three goals to put the result beyond doubt. The final goal to Eden Zanker was a nice way for Edo to finish her ‘50 dazzling games’, paying homage to the @Deearmy banner. The Dees now earn a week off to get over their bumps and bruises and prepare for a Preliminary Final against either Richmond or North Melbourne. Meggs predicts our opponent will be the 8th placed Kangaroos. Q1 An electric start by the Crows with a goal inside 20 seconds by danger-girl Danielle Ponter which hushed the parochial home crowd. Moments later Ponter marks again but her shot on goal misses. Eloise Jones then misses. But from a forward pocket ball up, Adelaide ruck Caitlin Gould doesn’t miss. About halfway through the first quarter the Dees slowly begin to match the intensity of their opponent. It’s a final and very physical as you’d expect. You can hear the clashing of bodies. The crowd starts to get engaged with noisy encouragement to spur on the Dees. Eliza West has a shot on goal which falls short and is rushed for our first score. Sarah Allan is dominating in defence. She wins a freekick and the Crows work the ball forward with Gould kicking her second goal. Late in the quarter, Eloise Jones collides heavily with Lily Mithen with both players only having eyes for the ball. Brave Lily looks hurt and comes off to see the medicos. Just before the siren Harris earns a free in front of goal but sprays it right. At quarter time Melbourne 0.2.2 to Adelaide 3.2.20 Q2 After the quarter time pep-talk, the Dees bring a stronger physicality to dominate the quarter. The first highlight is Bannan’s electric six—bouncer which seems to have heightened the energy levels of her teammates. Lily Mithen is back out there, she’s inspiring too. One tough cookie. Purcell has the first shot, a point to the right. Moments later another inside fifty and a Daisy dribbler just misses. Finally, Purcell gets on the end of another forward chain and her kick bounces just over Sarah Allan’s outstretched hand for the first goal of the quarter. Chaplin getting involved and her dangerous kick to half forward ends up with Paxy who handpasses to Lampard for a great goal on the run. Edo then has a shot from the boundary line which misses everything. But from the ensuing throw in, Lauren Pearce, employing Max Gawn-style ruck craft, grabs the ball out of the ruck and kicks a huge goal. Loz getting one back on Gould and suddenly, the Dees have taken the lead. At half time Melbourne 3.4.22 to Adelaide 3.2.20 Q3 Melbourne is on top early. Bannan marks directly in front and kicks a goal. Alyssa really thrives in these big games. But after a Kate Hore miss at one end, Adelaide surges the ball forward where the opportunistic Ash Woodland reads the bounce of the ball and kicks Adelaide’s fourth goal. At the ensuing ball up, Harris taps to the brilliant Hanks who streams from the middle and kicks towards Daisy who misses the mark but follows up and snaps on goal. It just misses but it’s exciting stuff from the Dees. Late in the quarter West cops a nasty kick to her shin and goes off for treatment. At three-quarter time Melbourne 4.6.30 to Adelaide 4.2.26. It’s a four—point game! Q4 Early in the last quarter Lampy tackles Steve Lee Thompson in the forward pocket. She earns a free and duly converts for her second goal. The crowd really enjoyed that one. Bannan then takes a nice mark 40 metres out following some more great linkwork by the Dees. She goes back to take her kick, strolling in deliberately but then sells some candy, running around the mark to get closer to goal and nails a bewdy. The crowd is going bananas. Electric stuff from Alyssa. Hore then makes a huge tackle Marinoff on the wing in front of the main crowd. We are well on top now. And Westy’s back out there. There’s a bit a feeling in this bruising encounter as players continue to push and shove. The last goal of the match is fittingly kicked by our milestone girl Zanker. Mackin breaks a tackle and kicks it deep into the forward pocket where Edo reads it best and goals. Melbourne 7.6.48 to Adelaide 4.2.27. The Coaches and next week: Melbourne Coach Mick Stinear said it was a tough physical game and an even team effort. Adelaide is a really strong side who brought their best contest footy in that first quarter and overwhelmed us. But pleasingly we didn’t panic and knew what we had to do. He was actually surprised how his side was able to turn it around so quickly. He singled out Lampy for her game on the wing and Lily for putting her body on the line. Such a tough player Lil who inspires her teammates. He acknowledged the support from the Ikon Park home crowd and the team fed off the energy. He thinks Ikon is a quality ground for footy and is the likely venue for the upcoming preliminary final. Matthew Clarke couldn’t have been happier with that first quarter but after that Melbourne were able to get the ball out to their runners. Even though Melbourne got on top in the middle quarters they were still in it at ¾ time. He felt Melbourne played even stronger tonight than in their Round 1 victory. Chelsea Randall is expected to be right to go next week. MELBOURNE 0.2.2 3.4.22 4.6.30 7.6.48 ADELAIDE 3.2.20 4.2.26 4.2.26 4.3.27 GOALS MELBOURNE Bannan Lampard 2 Pearce Purcell Zanker ADELAIDE Gould 2 Ponter Woodland BEST MELBOURNE Purcell Lampard Bannan Mithen Hanks Harris ADELAIDE Marinoff Allan Gould Ponter Hatchard INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil ADELAIDE Randall (head knock) REPORTS MELBOURNE Nil ADELAIDE Nil CROWD 2,555 at Ikon Park

Brayshaw demonstrated his versatility throughout the year starring in defence, on a wing or in the middle. He was selected in the All-Australian squad, took the club’s leadership award and was fifth best and fairest. "After speculation about a potential move west, Brayshaw turned his back on free agency to sign a whopping six-year contract extension with the Demons in July. The new deal ties the star midfielder to the club until 2028. Brayshaw played every game in 2022, averaging an elite 25.5 disposals a match." - Herald Sun Date of Birth: 9 January 1996 Height: 187cm Weight: 92kg Games MFC 2022: 24 Career Total: 143 Goals MFC 2022: 2 Career Total: 47 Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy Fifth Club Best & Fairest: 446 votes Brownlow Medal: 7 votes

5 frees to 1 Bulldog level adjudication.

Getting absolutely murdered by the umps.

Can’t buy a free

The lionhearted 2021 premiership skipper and six time All-Australian valiantly battled injury in an unsuccessful attempt to win a repeat flag and still lays claim to being the competition’s best ruckman. "The Melbourne skipper won All-Australian selection for the sixth time this year after a season when he averaged 19 disposals, 27 hitouts and nine hitouts to advantage. Spent more time closer to goal this season and is likely to do more of the same next year with the arrival of Brodie Grundy." - Herald Sun Date of Birth: 30 December 1991 Height: 209cm Weight: 111kg Games MFC 2022: 22 Career Total: 181 Goals MFC 2022: 13 Career Total: 88 Sixth Club Best & Fairest: 430 votes Brownlow Medal: 12 votes

Of course she is.

AFLW heavyweights Melbourne and Adelaide kick off the AFLW Season 7 Final Series with a massive Qualifying Final clash at Ikon Park this Friday night at 7:10pm. The game promises to be a cracker. Last season’s Grand Final combatants last met in Round 1where Melbourne came away with a strong 18-point victory at Glenelg Oval. The Dees will be hoping to replicate the result and move directly to the Preliminary Final. While Adelaide may not have been as intimidating this season as in previous years, they only lost twice. To the Demons in Round 1 and then Brisbane in Round 8 (by 22 points). Against other fellow finalists they earned narrow wins: Richmond (9 points), Collingwood (5) and Geelong (2). The Crows boast a heap of premiership talent right across the ground: • Their stars Ebony Marinoff, Anne Hatchard, and Chelsea Randall, the lively Niamh Kelly, wingers Eloise Jones and Stevie-Lee Thompson together form a top-shelf midfield combination; • Their in-form forward line contains two of the competitions leading goal scorers in ex-Dee Ash Woodland and Danielle Ponter, who is proving to be a match winner this season; and • Their whole defensive unit, led by Sarah Allan and Chelsea Biddell, is experiencedand finals hardened. Our Supergirl Tayla Harris once described Adelaide captain Chelsea Randall as her kryptonite, so she will be watching the teams’ announcements to see whether Chelsea springs a surprise return from her ankle injury. With a clean bill of health last week, the selectors have chosen to go in with an unchanged line-up. Our backline, led by Birch and Gillard, is statistically the best in the league with 184 points against. The defensive group has gelled really well against lesser opponents these past 6 weeks but will be thoroughly tested in this final. Goldie and Gay will be important components. Our midfield group has been excellent all season. Purcell, West, Hanks, Mithen, Heath, the tyro Mackin, and the ubiquitous Paxy are combining so well each week. Ruck, Loz Pearce is back to form and her duties are shared with Harris. Coach Mick Stinear strategically mixes Tayla’s gametime between the ruck, around the ground and forward with great team effect. The sides are evenly matched this week, but our multi-optioned attack has been difficult for opposition backlines to contain for four quarters. With Harris, Hore, Zanker, excitement machine Bannan and our experienced, wily skipper Daisy, there be plenty of potential headaches for Matthew Clarke and his Crow defenders. And a big shout out to Eden Zanker for her 50th game!!! History has seen these teams play 8 times with 4 wins apiece. Notably 2 of Adelaide’s wins were finals matches. At Ikon Park (against Carlton) Adelaide has played twice for 2 wins while Melbourne has played three times for 3 wins. Matthew Clarke, the Crows Senior Coach, was happy to finish the home and away season in the Top 4. He singled out Zoe Prowse and Danielle Ponter for praise for their recent performances. He was most happy with how Adelaide found ways to win close games but knows they must polish up their performance if they are to be successful in this finals campaign. When he was asked about Melbourne next week, he gave nothing away. Mick Stinear, the Demons coach, wants his team to continue to live in the moment, take their chances for goal and play out the full four quarters. Ikon is a happy ground for Melbourne and our game plan will flourish in a more pristine environment than the travails of Casey Fields. It’s going to be on from the first bounce, we can win this one. Melbourne by 11 points THE GAME Melbourne v Adelaide at Ikon Park (Princes Park), on Friday 4 November 2022 at 7:10pm (Melbourne time) HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 4 wins Adelaide 4 wins At Ikon Park Melbourne 0 wins Adelaide 0 wins The Coaches Stinear 4 wins Clarke 3 wins MEDIA TV - live on 7 and Kayo. Check your local guides. Radio - check your local guides. THE LAST TIME THEY MET [IN THE HOME AND AWAY] Melbourne 6.8 (44) defeated Adelaide 4.2 (26) at Norwood Oval, 26 August 2022 Melbourne exorcised their Season 6 Grand Final demons by defeating Adelaide in a rematch at Norwood Oval by 18 points. It was a pressure-filled match and showed that Melbourne had improved its contested football ability with Purcell and West allowing Paxman to work hard on the outside. We didn’t relent all evening. A 4-quarter performance. Harris renewed her acquaintance with Crows skipper Chelsea Randall in a fascinating battle and the two followed each forward and on the ball, both starring for their respective teams. For the Crows, Ash Woodland was dangerous kicking 3 goals and Hatchard played well in her 50th game. Ponter threatened to bring Adelaide back into contention with a goal in the last quarter but then Zanker and Paxman goaled and put the contest beyond doubt. GOALS Adelaide: Woodland 3, Ponter Melbourne: Hore, Harris, Hanks, D Pearce, Zanker, Paxman BEST Adelaide: Hatchard, Randall, Woodland, Thompson, Biddell, Newman Melbourne: West, Paxman, Purcell, Harris, Hore, Lampard INJURIES Adelaide: Nil Melbourne: Nil THE LAST TIME THEY MET [IN A FINAL] Adelaide 4.5 (29) defeated Melbourne 2.4.16 at Adelaide Oval, 9 April 2022 [Season 6 Grand Final] Meggs re-watched last year’s grand final to refresh the memory. We have definitely improved this season. Our superior skill execution under pressure this year is evident across the whole team. The Crows not so much but their 4-quarter pressure was too much for us on this day. Some of our kicking and slow decision making was highly predictable, caused by their pressure and provided easy pickings for the Adelaide defenders. Libby Birch had some ‘mare moments and through ill-discipline gave away the first goal. Mick will be pondering the best matchups for Ponter and Woodland this week. He has options. Goldie, Paxy, Hore, Loz Pearce and Hanksy were good throughout the match, our currently injured duo of McNamara and Colvin were strong contributors too and Bannan’s goal, the first half highlight. Marinoff and Hatchard were superb all day, as was Ponter. Meanwhile Randall blanketed Harris. The Crows were simply too good on the day and deserving winners. GOALS Adelaide: Ponter 2, Phillips, Hewett Melbourne: Bannan, Hore BEST Adelaide: Hatchard (best-on-field), Marinoff, Ponter, Phillips, Randall, Allan Melbourne: Paxman, Goldrick, McNamara, Hore, L Pearce, Mithen INJURIES Adelaide: Nil Melbourne: Sherriff (wrist) THE TEAMS MELBOURNE - No change

One of the best medium forwards in the business and a great reader of the flight of the ball in the air, Fritsch passed the half century in goals for the second year in a row but this time in a forward line that was often found wanting in the big games. "The star forward topped the Demons’ goalkicking for the third consecutive year with his 55 majors in 2022. Played every game in 2022, scoring in each match. Signed a new long-term deal at the end of last year to keep him at the Demons until at least 2026." - Herald Sun Date of Birth: 6 December 1996 Height: 188cm Weight: 84kg Games MFC 2022: 24 Career Total: 109 Goals MFC 2022: 55 Career Total: 173 Seventh Club Best & Fairest: 395 votes

Pipped at the post again.

Electric small forward with a huge back of tricks and a penchant for upsetting opposition defences, finding the goals and kicking plenty of them. Date of Birth: 2 June 2001 Height: 171cm Weight: 73kg Games MFC 2022: 23 Career Total: 62 Goals MFC 2022: 41 Career Total: 88 Eighth Club Best & Fairest: 391 votes Brownlow Medal: 4 votes

Half forward who is sometimes maligned but plays an important role in the Demons’ attacking sector. Known for the territory he covers and the number of selfless acts that often go unnoticed but end up setting up goals, these are the attributes that saw him finish inside the top ten in the club champion awards. "One of the Demons’ most improved players in their premiership season, Neal-Bullen didn’t have the same level of impact in 2022, kicking nine goals compared to his 15 last year. Contracted until the end of 2023 after signing a two-year extension in May last year." - Herald Sun Date of Birth: 9 January 1996 Height: 183cm Weight: 81kg Games MFC 2022: 23 Career Total: 128 Goals MFC 2022: 9 Career Total: 88 Ninth Club Best & Fairest: 384 votes