Deeoldfart

Defence outstanding (again!); mids and stoppage work very good (again!); forward craft hopeless (again!); handball out of trouble to put a team mate into more trouble, far too prevalent (again!). I’ve loved some of Paxy’s work over recent weeks. Just kick it off the ground and gain 20 or 30 metres. There should be more of it from her team-mates! Also loving Lily Mithen’s game. She consistently ‘nails’ those 15 to 30 m. passes through the corridor. Lauren Pearce is the AFLW’s Max Gawn. Goldie is an AFLW version of Sean Wight in so many respects. Westy continues her rise but disposal needs work.

Thanks D_I_O. I especially loved this bit: "Purcell is building back to AFLW nicely, with 20 disposals, 4 tackles and 3 clearances, a class above."

Agree with all above. We have shown in drips & drabs that we are good enough to challenge this year, but dribs & drabs will see us falling short again. We need to start asserting ourselves, with everyone playing their part.

Great insights as usual Fence. Thank you! Quick question: From what you've observed this pre-season: - have Bedford, Chandler and AMW been training for similar roles, and what are those roles (?), - how would you rate them, in order?

Bitter grapes?

5. Mithen 4. Zanker 3. Birch 2. L. Pearce 1. McNamara

Oh well, a win = 4 points, but plenty of improvement needed if we are going to seriously challenge the top few.

Eliza McNamamara is becoming a very, very good AFLW player..

We must have a W in the W/L column. Unbelievably, the season is half over, and anything but a W will see us falling well off the pace.

Fantastic to hear that it was a ‘fair dinkum’ match sim. A few knocks and bruises which, on the face of it, seem little more than than you would expect on game day. Seems that competition for spots is intense, and will keep everyone honest. Obviously everyone wants to be part of our next Flag! Thanks Fence, for another captivating summary.

He was!

One of my idols as a player during our golden era, and so sad to hear of his passing. Joining a legion of past players looking down on the ‘golden era’ just begun. RIP Laurie. Condolences to his family.

One of the best footy action photos of all time imo. Wallpapered on my pc, framed in my mind.

Vale Freddy, a VFA legend in your time, and that’s no mean feat.

No excuses here. We were completely out-muscled and outclassed by a bigger, stronger and more disciplined team. The scoreboard flattered us in the end.

I think we match up quite well against their strengths and we have plenty of girls in form ……… BUT we will have to adapt to the crazy skinny dimensions of the ground and kick straight, which is a regular bugbear. Fingers crossed we can do it.

6. Hanks 5. Paxman 4. L. Pearce 3. Hore 2. Harris 1. Birch

Last quarter reminiscent of September in Perth.

Excellent summary CHF. As you say, we have good depth across the ground, and it needs to be, because we won’t always have the charmed run with injuries that we had in 2021, and who knows what impact Covid will have on team selections in 2022? Further, our depth should ensure that form is rewarded, and pressure is maintained on the ‘best 22’ to perform consistently at the top level. For me, the key intangibles for next season are the extent to which the influence of Burgo might be missed, and whether our culture will continue to hold up now that we have #13 in the bank. However, my last lingering symptoms of MFCSS were extinguished in September 2021, and I’m very confident that we are the team to beat in 2022, at least!

5. McNamara 4. Paxman 3. Hore 2. L. Pearce 1. Hanks

……. and a pig (not Hibbo) running around the SCG, interrupting play, and being chased by players and security guards. I think it was Tony Lockett who eventually caught it.

Joining the throng of Melbourne supporters in the change rooms immediately after a win at the ‘G’, chatting to the players as they rehydrated with cans of VB, and joining them in rousing renditions of both verses of the Grand Auld Flag. There were plenty of wins back then too. Of course, it was a male only domain.

Fitter and stronger with a bit more class when it counted. Well done Dees!

Outstanding quarter Dees. Keep it up!

Huge thanks to George and ‘fence’ for bringing the session alive in my lounge room.