Katrina Dee Fan

Hehe, I don't miss much, do i!!!

Most of you won't know that I produce the TikToks for the Demon Army. Most of you also won't know I'm on the committee for the Ruby Demons. Today I got to combine both those roles. Ruby Dees were invited by MFC to represent Dees fans at the AFLW Pride Round launch at IKON. All 10 Victorian clubs were represented, and I made a TikTok of the morning. Plus it also meant Katie, Nikki and I got to hang out with the always wonderful Blaithin Mackin, who is an absolute delight. Hope you enjoy!

My understanding is that it was on race in general, given Heretia Lumumba is not indigenous, but did lodge a complaint about racism.

My post wasn't in reference to the "Do Better" report. But to answer your question, it was solely on the allegations of racism (not just indigenous)

There's certainly suggestions they're key reasons why Chloe Molloy, Steph Chiocci, and Jamie Lambert left their AFLW program. Their entire team went to the football department last year after DeGropey's Bali incident and basically stated that unless the club does something to address apparently misogyny in the club, they'll have a serious problem retaining several of their women players. Those three walked. I can't say I blame them.

I love our club

The video incident smacks of porn revenge. If what I heard is true, that Ginnivan was trying to get back at McStay for catching him taking drugs in the preseason, by filming him with his girlfriend, that's revenge porn and a crime.

I was at a wedding yesterday for one of our Ruby Demons members, to which Hester Brown was the celebrant. Ben Brown and I were discussing the McLelland Trophy, and he hinted there were a few of the male players who were planning to do just that. On another note, Ben and I did get in trouble for following the scores of the Adelaide/North game. We were watching the last quarter on my phone, to which Hester came over and said, "Oh, Ben, you're not....." Ben and I did get the giggles!

That’s what I’m missing, a chook to blame my typos on!!

Thank you, I really appreciate your response.

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