Meggs

Yes, @DeeZone bringing in two highly rated players with elite foot skills is fantastic news. I think the knock on Jemma may be her kicking and footy smarts, despite her natural speed and size. She should enjoy good opportunities at the Pies and will reunite with her one-time Casey Demons teammate, Charlotte Brewer (granddaughter of former Melbourne and Collingwood player Ross Brewer).

Jemma Bastiani is an AFL stats guru and her comments on the Dees makes for exciting reading: afl.com.au/aflwBolters, sliders, steals: How did your club go in the AFL...Who did your club pick up at Monday night's Telstra AFLW Draft? Gemma Bastiani takes a look at the comp's newest players Players selected: Jordyn Allen (pick No.16), Chloe Baker-West (pick No.22) With their first pick the Demons opted for neat rebounding defender Jordyn Allen, which will be ideal for their hard-running, slingshot style of footy. Her kicking is among the best of the draft class, perfect for setting up that transition footy, and will help to cover players like Maeve Chaplin and Shelley Heath when they are increasingly needed up around the footy. Making out like bandits, Melbourne also managed to nab Chloe Baker-West with pick No.22. One of the most skilful players in the draft class, her footskills and capacity to open up the play is very Tyla Hanks-esque, and she will suit Melbourne to a tee.

Thanks Jack. It was an entertaining and enjoyable season to write about. Meggs is asking whether there was a nearest the pin prize in the draft lottery? 🤣 He named three suitable draftees (out of 650 nominations) in his report and the Dees selected two of them. More importantly, the Club appears to have addressed needs, with a tall forward (Mia Austin), Irish speed and flair (Aoife Horisk), a fast, skilled defender Jordyn Allen and a determined, inside midfielder (Chloe Baker-West). Now with Liv Purcell, Grace Beasley, and Jacinta Hose fully recovered from injury, there are certainly reasons for optimism in 2026. But we’ll get a real tough draw, that’s for certain.

From demonwiki.org At the end of the season, Paxman signed a contract extension to the end of 2026, and played all 15 matches of Melbourne's 2025 campaign. DemonwikiPaxy Paxman | DemonwikiDemonwiki

Yes, it's looking that way. If so, then maybe back to Casey VFLW to upskill. There's a lot to like. With 19 teams set for 2028 there will be second opportunities if she's serious about footy.

But flabbergasted that the AA selectors chose Brisbane Irish import Liv Dunne. Meggs is confounded they could even consider her, there are numerous alternative better defenders. Have never rated Dunne who averages less than 10 disposals a game. Meggs does not understand the love. But very happy for someone to jump on and explain.

Love the recognition for Maevo, Hanksy and Kate. Deserved nominees and Kate as VC. They were stars for Dees this year having outstanding seasons. 🌟🌟🌟

Gillard Chaplin Hore Hanks Goldrick Taylor

WEST Coast coach Daisy Pearce has pointed to Carlton's physicality and intensity as the difference in Saturday's elimination final. Dees, we have to bring the heat, no excuses. C’mon. Let’s put the Lions back in their cage …

afl.com.au/aflwHuge Dees blow with important defender set to miss qualif...Melbourne is set to be without one of its important defenders for Sunday's qualifying final

Good thoughts @Timothy Reddan-A'Blew Meggs is quietly confident for Sunday. Two check sides from Sophie Conway and a fluke from Ruby S last time are unlikely to be repeated. On Rigoni, Mick gave her run-with roles on Fish in R10 and Ellenger in R11. Rested in R12, could he recall Jemma for a role on Hodder this week? 🤔 Everyone is rooting for Maevo’s hamstring to be chipper for Sunday, she is so important to our chances.

afl.com.au/aflwHoughton creates history as Power sink Giants to finish s...Gemma Houghton etched her name into the history books on a big day for Port Adelaide

@Dees_In_October Meggs has been sleuthing for us. Mick has missed only one game, 2021 R8 when Jane Lange stepped in (Mick chose not to travel to Fremantle awaiting the arrival of his second child, Jack). So he is coaching his 98th game this week and with the double-chance locked in Mick will hit the ton this season. Very exciting.

Thanks @Ghostwriter , I checked the aflwstats.com website Meggs uses and it added the St Kilda game where Lampy must have been a late withdrawal. There are 22 names on AFLW match website: afl.com.au/aflwAFLW Match CentreThe home of the NAB AFL Women's. Who are you supporting in the 2023 NAB AFLW S8 competition? Our Stories, GenW, Women of AFLW, The People

Lampy has played 75 games according to https://aflwstats.com/player/Sarah_Lampard

afl.com.au/aflwRace to 100 goals: The three AFLW champions chasing historyWho will be the first NAB AFLW player to kick 100 career goals? We look at the contenders

Good thought. It would be awesome for Milly to debut. She is really strong, aerobic, and has tagged well at VFLW. Looking at the extended bench, only Milly and Maggie would be considered 'mids' but not direct replacements for Heater. Who is? Dingo is the probably the safe option together with a mids reshuffle. Mick could send Chappy into the centre to create some havoc.

Denby time. She debuted for the Red and Blue in the Freo away game last season. Showcased her speed and neat skills. Give her a run Mick.

No Heater or Mackin ☹️ melbournefc.com.auInjury Report | Heath, Mackin sidelinedCheck out Melbourne’s latest injury news

6. Hore 5. Hanks 4. Chaplin 3. Harris 2. McNamara 1. Fitzsimon Thanks @Dees_In_October

Meggs recognises @BDA for the inspiration for this weeks match report title 😁 thank you ! And (if true) what a bummer for Liv. Another ACL. She had worked so hard and was playing career-best footy. It's not fair.

Thanks @Harvey Wallbanger for your post. Meggs would guess the left-footer is Madison Ibrahim. Agree Goldie has to play but Gally is no certainty if Tay is cleared to play. We’ll see.

That’s great news Harvey. Meggs was curious to learn whether any of the top-up players were training today. Jatczak? If Raid and or Chappy are unavailable then we will need to rearrange the defenders. Hopefully Goldie is still on a high and raring to go.

Thanks @Kev assume you inadvertently omitted Paxman from ‘best’. Paxy appeared injury-free and looked terrific on the wing, especially early on. And fingers are crossed that Kate is ok. Our Skip is in sublime form, dominating in the midfield and kicked 3 goals.

Thanks @Dees_In_October for posting on the game. A great win indeed ! Btw Meggs was there. The commentators were right; it really was an awesome display by our players. Much more entertaining to watch than training too. One of the Casey players (Meggs won’t say who) said after the game ‘what about those AFLW players’ and was clearly inspired playing alongside them. Last week it was the AFLW Demon defenders and mids whereas this week it was the AFLW Demon forwards but with different mids. Lize, Fitzy and Edo looked a class above. The ball movement would have pleased Mick Stinear. Gally clunking 7 marks (4 contested) and Tay with 8 marks, also impressive. Fitzy’s passing in traffic was typically classy; she needs to play midfield; no more forward pocket. Heater went off and was on crutches after the game; hope it’s nothing too serious. Last week Meggs commented on how 2024 Draft Pick 3 Molly O’Hehir impressed with her skills and pace and likewise Jemma Rigoni, who is our Torrie Lewis. This week we saw Pick 21 Maggie Mahony display her speed, toughness and excellent kicking skills. Her goal was reminiscent of Boomer Harvey who regularly evaded defenders and always finished off his work. Another potential young candidate for Round 1. The other 2024 draft alumni Pick 63 Amelia Dethridge has now played 4 VFLW games and gained valuable experience. This hockey cross-coder with elite fitness, is developing rapidly. Too early to predict a run-with midfield role on Ellie Blackburn in round one? 😉 Lastly, it was great to see most of the non-playing players at the grounds loudly encouraging their teammates at Windy Hill and Casey Fields. Go Demons!