Katrina Dee Fan

Been to Punt Rd lately? It’s pretty [censored]. Casey is far more comfortable as a spectator. Plus the capacity at Punt Rd is only about 2000, a 10th of Casey.

I have to say this list feels like a backhanded compliment but insulting at the same time. You’re implying women weren’t interested in football prior to AFLW’s introduction (which is demonstrably untrue) and that AFLW was only introduced to attract more women as spectators (also demonstrably untrue). I guess, though, my biggest issue I have with this post is your assertion it’s women’s fault was that AFLW doesn’t have the strong following AFL has is because women are still “talking the talk around BBQ’s” about male players and not female players. I’m sorry, but WTF? I’d hate to break it to you but football has always enjoyed support from female spectators since the beginning. Go look at footage of early 20th century games, you’ll see just as many women in the grandstands as you do men. As an example, my nana was born in 1910, she grew up around the corner from the Brunswick St oval, and she’d go every week with her parents and sister to Fitzroy games, as was the custom for many families, just like today. Even before AFLW sone clubs, including Melbourne, were having memberships showing equal representation of males and females. So the assertion you make that AFL needed to do more to attract women and families, and that’s the reason AFLW introduced, is wrong. It was introduced because women who were playing football wanted representation at a higher level. They wanted to be able to play football without people saying “you can’t do that, you’re a girl.” I was 1970s child, I used to love playing football in the backyard with my brother and his mates, we’d set up items in the yard to be goal posts, place the bins here, cricket stumps there, etc. I’d see the occasional girl in the little league in the G, or at my brother’s footy clinic, and I’d ask if I can join in, only to have my dad say, “no, you’re a girl.” It was demoralising to hear that as a kid. You implying AFLW doesn’t have a strong following because women need to stop talking about male players and start talking about women is absurd, sexist and contradictory. Contradictory because earlier in the post you made the assertion AFLW easily introduced to attract more female spectators, but then you state women spectators are only talking about the male players. Make your mind up, in your mind do we support footy or not? Sexist, because, well let’s face it, if I were to dissect your entire post on its levels of sexism I’d be here all day, and I’d much prefer to spend my day at Casey this afternoon supporting our AFLW team like I’ve been doing since the exhibition matches. And absurd, because while you are implying women are at fault when we talk about male players, you make no mention that maybe, just maybe, men should perhaps talk more about female players. Why is it that women can be fans of both but men are only fans of the men? I’m a 52 year old woman who has supported my club since birth. I first became a member when my dad bought a family membership when I was 6 in 1977, and I’ve been a consecutive member since the age of 14 - next year will be my 39th year as a consecutive member. I‘be been in Redlegs since 1988, I’m a Demon Army member, a Ruby Demons committee member, a foundation AFLW member, I participated in forums last year run by David Rennick on the constitutional changes, I sponsor an AFLW player, and I volunteer my time for the football club. I’m an active participant and supporter of both men’s and women’s programs. And I’m a woman. I’d love it if more men showed as much support for the women in the club as they do for the men. Because we’re one club, that happens to pioneer representation of both men and women in the game.

I may have missed something that's already been discussed, and if I have I apologise in advance. Melbourne offered picks 6, 11, 42 and future first round pick for pick 1. My understanding is Melbourne wanted 42 to pick up Kynan Brown under father/son. If they're willing to use all their draft picks to get 1, does that mean Melbourne aren't interested in Brown? EDIT - I can see some discussion, so yes, I apologise. I'll have a read through properly. Sorry, just with some Year 11s this morning helping them revise for exams.... not one of my most engaged mornings, I'm afraid.

Ebony Antonio is also a massive out. She's out for the rest of the season, having just had surgery for PCL

A couple of telling things, though: In Round 1 our game against Collingwood was 8412, the highest crowd of any event held at IKON in 2023, as well as the second largest AFLW crowd this season. Conversely, the Round 6 match between Carlton and Collingwood, two clubs with far higher memberships than Melbourne, attracted just 3111, and they didn't have AFL finals to compete with. I know the crowd of 2704 last week is disappointing, but let's not forget it was the second highest crowd of the round. I don't think the problem of low attendances is exclusive to Melbourne.

A little video I made of the girls at banner making last night https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNkFHf1Q/

If they can have a full length season, then that would be a good thing. Bear in mind also, NRLW started after AFLW, we didn't have all 18 teams in until last year.

Problem is, in Jan/Feb starts, you're asking them to play during the hottest time of the year, which cannot be good conditions for them.

Shelley is so cute, her fierce tenacity on the football ground defies her appearance.

I want to joke that Tahlia is actually wearing long pants, but with her long legs, they come across as shorts :)

Last night half the team were at banner making. Both Gabby Colvin and Tayla Harris told me they're not playing. Gabby mentioned she's close with her archilles but it's just been frustrating. Tayla is being patient, doesn't want to risk her form for finals, and was pretty upbeat, she's close.

I find it puzzling how people are excusing not paying them a salary that can enable them to concentrate full time on their football then comment they're not at the same standard as AFL. How do you expect the game to develop to a level deemed acceptable by those making comments "the standard is poor, the men's game is better" when they don't allow them to train and play under the same working conditions? Especially as during the season they're expected to basically abandon their jobs outside football to travel at times while they'd be at their other jobs, leave work to go training, etc? The demands on them are of those of a full time professional career without the renumeration or security. Just posing the question.

That doesn't mean they can't be paid at least a liveable salary.

I have to admit I was in a bit of disbelief when I saw this story, simply because the media are going through their bi-monthly period of kicking Goody and the club. How dare they allow themselves to be distracted!

6. Hank 5. Gillard 4. Purcell 3. Heath 2. Goldy 1. Mackin

I was there, too, an unforgettable day. Paxy asked me the question the next day if being there made up for not being able to go to the men's grand final. I think she was please when I said more so, because I'd been part of the journey since the exhibition day, being a foundation member of the women's team, being a player sponsor, all that. It was a special day. I'm sure I was captured on Channel 7 doing some fierce ugly crying in the moments after the siren, embarrassingly enough in the presence of Kate Roffey!

Her nickname is Heater, though :)

I didn't see it as a put down, either. I think it was a fair enough comment. It's a good point about Goldy, and I think you could be right, but man, I love Heater!!

I think people underestimate her because of her small size, and the fact she has the face of a 12 year old. She's a sweety, but man, she's as tough as nails!

I can't say there's much sympathy for her from me. Play stupid games, get stupid prizes. Do that in the men's comp, the penalty would have been far more severe.

I suspect media being media there has been much edited from the interview to shape a particular narrative.

Yeh, I get it. I'm not necessarily into versus though, I'm more into the chorus of "nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah, baby give it up, give it up, baby give it up." All that needs to be read in to that.

I'm taking DJing duties on from now on. My first track I want to dedicate to Reid, the list manager at Adelaide Crows:

Future second round. We won't know specifically which pick until the end of the H&A season next year.

Trade is done, and we keep Petty. So pleased Melbourne didn't cave. Well done, Dees!!