Meggs

Our pressure was good all game. Some better  performances this week from several regulars including Scott, Hore and Bannan.  Goldie was excellent today.  Magee looked lost out there and Brown was tired.  Hoping Lampard is ok for the Lions game and that Purcell is not far away.

Btw loving Harris up forward.

2 hours ago, Dees_In_October said:

Also saw a round-up of the stats leaders at the halfway point:

https://www.womens.afl/news/84380/stats-stars-who-is-leading-at-the-halfway-mark-of-the-season-

Dees players who feature:

Avg. Intercept possessions - Birch 2nd

Avg. Hitouts - L.Pearch =5th

Avg. Score Assists - Hore 1st, D.Pearce 4th, Hanks 5th

Total goals - Harris 2nd

 

DIO, Kate has been real quiet and ineffective during the last 2 weeks so it would be gr8 if she could recapture her pre and early season form.  Fingers are crossed!  We need her firing as together with, T Harris and D Pearce, they form the basis of an enviable forward structure.

Parry is lucky to keep her place this week, as we have discussed, and she needs to impose herself.  

Lauren is the best ruck / onballer in AFLW according to Sarah Black and Meggs agrees. He was lukewarm on Birch last year but Libby has been totally excellent in 2022 and together with Lampard, Goldie and Heath (best game last week) the Dees backline is shaping up well.

This week we’ll miss one of Meggs’s faves, C Sherriff, due to concussion but he would prefer Bannan on the wing, to the selected inside-mid  🔫  Mithen, on the opposite wing to the indefatigable McNamara-Langdon.

Hanksy it’s good to have you back. We love you!  We hope Maddie Gay is recovering well and are really looking forward to seeing Liv Purcell play in the Red and Blue.

Let’s have a big win tomorrow Dees, please kick straight, a few girls to recapture some form and let it be a springboard for the rest of the season.

Good to win but Mick has plenty to contemplate.

Seems like Hanks will be back next week thank God but Gay is out for 3 weeks unfortunately.  Better news for Purcell who is getting closer to debuting in the Red and Blue.

Let’s keep Caris in to support L Pearce, who was great tonight, and drop Parry, for one of the young talls or Ali Brown.

Our confidence is down, the Adelaide game maybe taken a toll.  Wish Abbey Holmes would use the term ‘elite’ less.  C’mon girls!

Yes, Hanks has had a terrific start to the season and Gay is one of our best tacklers.  These 2 are our best kicks in the team and will be difficult to replace.  

With Caris back to support L Pearce it means Zanker has no ruck duties and concentrates on being that big bodied midfielder and helps out Paxy.  

S Scott has had a real quiet start to the season so hoping this week she can provide some influence.  

Choko Williams was at training during the week so hopefully his positive influence rubs off on the girls kicking.  

Gold Coast are young and fast and won their past 2 games.   It may be close today but at our fortress Casey Fields we have the advantage.  Go Dees!

50 minutes ago, BDA said:

It's our strongest team for 2022

Yes indeed, we look great on paper. 

Plus Adelaide have been hit this week by Covid with Stevie-Lee Thompson, Danielle Ponter and Justine Mules all omitted (good players).  However, Captain Chelsea Randall, toughnut and gun, returns (who could forget her terrifying collision with Eliza McNamara in last year's Prelim) and the excellent Anne Hatchard, who has starred this year and is one of the top midfielders in AFLW, has been ruled fit.  Also one to watch is ex Dee Ash Woodland who tried her hand on the HBF at the Dees but has found her mojo at FF and kicked 10 goals so far this year.  Gaby Colvin you've got her this week !  

Meggs is never confident of away wins.  Our goal kicking accuracy is our nemesis but at the home the Redlegs, Norwood Oval, we can do this tomorrow.  Demons by 1 point.

Doing the numbers, one coach had Lampy BOG and no votes from the other coach.  Dal Santo would have felt L Pearce was influential and on top all day so gave her the BOG 5 votes.  Don’t Dees rucks always dominate!  So Mick liked Sarah’s game. There were a few clangers in the windy conditions but she worked really hard and our backline needs her.  

Lampy having a mare…and Saints level at 3/4 time.   At least we have the breeze in the last…

Saints giving everything, we need to stick fat.  Hold those easy marks and hit targets Dees.

13 hours ago, Dees_In_October said:

Just thinking about Parry's game. Has been with us a few years now but has yet to become the major goalkicker she was touted as or to my mind really imposed herself on the game. Perhaps her role has become more defensive over time. She bobs up with some marks here and there, and is pretty solid in the physical stuff but something is lacking...

Would love others' thoughts on her role?

She works really hard, leads up and creates options, competes well and does the defensive stuff, as you’ve mentioned.   Kicked three goals Round 3 2021 against North and has career goals of 6 in 16 games.   Been recently taking some ruck duties in forward ball ups.    Averaging 9 disposals a game and her last goal was in round 6 2021.  Not compelling.  With the number of players available this week she may be at selection risk.

3 hours ago, rpfc said:

Also Ally Brown really impressed me. Weird that she has bounced around the last 4 years. Reads the ball so well, decent mark and skills.

 

 

All 4 debutants from last week, Brown, West, Caris and Harris, played even better this week.  Our depth is strong.

56 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Demonland needs to write the match reports. A little bewildering McNamara hasn’t been named in the best in the above report. 5 tackles and 17 possessions, her defensive work was ferocious all night. Bannan’s goal was brilliant and it all started with McNamara’s kick into the middle from half-back to spot up Mithen. 

The Age lists Melbourne’s best players as: L. Pearce Paxman Birch Hanks West.  

Agree that McNamara should be included in this list.  Zanker as best was the previous week. 

1 hour ago, WERRIDEE said:

Covid hitting us hard. Not as hard as the Bulldogs and Brisbane. Strong ins unfortunate outs.

22 minutes ago, Dees_In_October said:

...I'd say the quality of our ins are better than the quality of their's, but then, the quality of our outs is probably greater.

Wow, our 5 outs are unfortunate, most certainly greater than Richmonds outs and are all experienced first choice players who we will miss.  Hope the girls are ok and do recover quickly but where is season 2022 heading?  Our ins are proven players so expect we will do well tomorrow regardless.  

Yes @Dees_In_October we are indeed spoilt for choice this week.  Whereas our selection headache is an enjoyable one, last week’s vanquished foe has a rather nasty migraine, with the Bulldogs scratching to field a team.  Maybe our Head Coach Mick could help the Doggies out and send a few of the un-selected Demons to GMHBA Stadium this Saturday night and give our girls some match practice ! 

On selection thoughts, Meggs expects Goldie to be a selection certainty this week.  She will replace a running defender so Ali Brown who was quiet and hurt during the match may make way. 

Gaby Colvin, a defensive KPD mainstay last season along with Birch and Tarrant, is one who would matchup nicely on Frederick and should be selected.  Megan Fitzsimon played her best game for us last week and Meggs would like to see her given more games to keep improving but the Selectors may decide otherwise. 

McNamara, a likely starter too.  Eliza might replace her namesake, West, who looked nominally and physically at home at the Whitten Oval and she would be unlucky to miss. 

On the Lil’n’Ben podcast our second ruck Maggie Caris was upbeat about her performance last weekend.  But we don’t know what promises have been made to her in terms of gametime and or whether two genuine rucks are part of Mick’s team structure? 

Paxy who has been indestructible during her excellent and decorated AFLW career would be a surprise omission, hopefully not.  So based on the published injury list and with (fingers crossed) no new covid cases, we should only expect two or three changes which will strengthen the team.

Our Round 2 match on Friday 14 January 2022 against the Tigers starts at 7:10pm at the Swinburne Centre (Punt Road Oval). 

As Meggs mentioned in another thread, the Tiges looked quite lively after quarter time against the lower rated Saints.  Richmond reuniting the Hosking twins and offloading the slow Frederick to the Pies look like good recruiting moves so far.  Last week Courtney Wakefield was highly effective up forward and she and midfield gun, Mon Conti (one of the best in the comp) both earned places in the Round 1 Team-of-the-Week along with our very own Libby Birch and Kate Hore.

For the Tiges ruck Poppy Kelly, former no 1 pick Ellie McKenzie, Sophie Molan and Emelia Yassir will all be missing.  Notwithstanding, Meggs is expecting Richmond to be competitive in the wet but all the pundits have the Dees as heavy favourites.

Last time we met was on 6 February 2021 at Casey Fields in 2021 where the ‘ferocious Dees showed no mercy in Tiger mauling’, a 28-point win, Dees 7.2 (44) to Richmond 2.4 (16).  On this day Mithen and Hanks starred for the Dees while Conti (no surprise) was best for the Tiges.   Bannan and Hore scored 2 apiece while Frederick 1 and Hosking scored a goal each.

It’s an away game tommorow and the weather looks wet with thunder and lightning forecast.  Skills will be tested but Melbourne to win by 24 points.  Go Dees!

10 hours ago, Doggas front teeth said:

Alyssa Bannan impressed me with her athleticism. If she can get her hands on the ball more I reckon she can have a real impact, using her strength and leg speed to drive out of the contest in the same way Clarry does.

4 hours ago, Rogue said:

That's a huge call. I actually thought Bannan was noticeably average when the ball was on the deck compared to Zanker, who's also tall (and one of my fave players). That's not a knock on Bannan, who's just in her second season as a raw and exciting young athlete.

3 hours ago, Dees_In_October said:

I think she's actually good below the knees for her height BUT I think her reaction was off and bit fumbly compared to last season in similar situations. Agree we can forgive that in a young player in round one and in a new role. She's definitely got some good talls to learn from in that regard so she can get the most out of that athleticism.

The wing really suits her natural skillset of speed, height, marking, kicking and footy smarts.  With more confidence and contact training expect her to keep improving and impressing.  One to watch.

18 minutes ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

'Cordner' and 'Tiges' in the same sentence; that's still a 😥for me.

But for their exceptional accuracy, Meggs, how do we and they compare on a sample of one?

Yes, a Cordner @richmondfc is uncomfortable perhaps as a Bartlett @melbournefc hehe.

As to the relative strengths of our girls’ teams, all will be revealed this Friday night as Round 2 kicks off at 7:10pm on 14 January 2022 at the Punt Road Oval.  Meggs is quietly confident of a win but the Tiges have recruited well so we should anticipate a good contest.

It was the first game of the year and the skills  tend to be a bit scratchy. But it’s great to win when you’re one of the flag favourites.  Nevertheless we looked a class above in the first half but the Dogs went physical after halftime which tested us.

Zanker (BOG) continues to impress and her goal was a gem. Of the 4 debutants, I thought Harris’ effort was excellent, West looked comfortable at this level, Caris tapped and competed well, looks good to Meggs and Ali Brown tried hard but whether she holds her place next week?  Megan F 24 - easily her best game in the red n blue and hopefully a platform for the season.  

Meggs also enjoyed the performances of Hanks, Sheriff, Heath, Hore, Mithen (doesn’t she loves passing to her flat mate Kate) and Birch.  Tarrant looks better in defence too.  A few girls were quiet this evening but it’s only Round 1.  Bring on the Tiges!

25 minutes ago, dees189227 said:

Just watched the saints, tigers game. It's too early in the year to hear the tigers theme song. 

Ha, yes indeed!  But the Tiges looked quite lively after quarter time.  Reuniting the Hosking twins is a good move. Wakefield was effective up forward, Mon Conti is easily one of the best AFLW midfielders (Clarry-like) and offloading of the slow Frederick to the Pies will not be regretted.  Brennan, good captain’s game and no Ellie McKenzie tonight.  

Saints are lacking depth. A couple of ex Dees played ok for them in Cat Phillips and Bianca Jakobssen while Harriet Cordner was solid in defence for the Tiges.  

Meggs is pleased to see Brenna T down back, she’s our most skilled defender.  Fitzsimon at CHB is odd but good on her, thought she was a midfielder. Bannan’s pace and game smarts make her a great option on the wing.  Both our wings are tall and quick.  West and Brown have pace too.  

This team looks really balanced. We are primed for a great start to 2022.  Let’s win girls!

2 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Yes big wraps on the squad for 2022.

The pundits agree with you SONS.  AFL/The Age/HS all have Brisbane, Collingwood and Melbourne as potential flag favourites.

Our midfield is very strong.  L Pearce is the best ruck in the Comp, Zanker is a huge presence in the middle, while Hanks, Paxy, Lily M, Maddi G, rookie West and the recovering Liv P form a super on-ball group.  Our wings have two impressive young guns in E McNamara and C Sheriff.   Not sure who will back up ruck, Zanker/Parry?

Tayla Harris will absolutely bolster our forward group and Hore, Scott, Parry, D Pearce, Bannon et al will all greatly benefit. Fingers crossed we kick straight this season.

Our backline has been wobbly over the years.  Love to see excitement machine, Goldie, play out the season!  Meggs hopes Tarrant plays back (not forward).  Her marking, neat kicking and reading of play continues to improve.  No doubt Birch, Colvin and Lampy will take the key defensive posts and fan favourite S Heath, the lockdown small defensive role.  Opportunities for Irish import Magee and others to help down back too.  

There are a number new young talls and smalls who will all be striving to be named in the team so selection will be very competitive.

The Bulldogs were very physical last time we met but Meggs is confident coach Mick will prepare the girls this time.  It bodes well for an exciting 2022 for our AFLW Dees.  Go girls!

Yes George, lots to be excited about.  Tayla will hopefully deliver a la BBB.  Eliza West who has been regularly praised by @Dees_In_October, won the Debbie Lee award (VFL’s Rising Star) and starred in US college basketball.  Meggs is looking forward to seeing her play. Go girls!

Q1. Dees 0 Pies 15

Q2. Dees 16 Pies 15

Q3. Dees 17 Pies 22

Q4. Dees 41 Pies 22

A practice match win.  Must have been windy at Casey Fields.  Hopefully someone can share news on who played well etc

Meggs unfortunately can’t make it.  Is anyone planning on attending and reporting?

12 hours ago, Paulo said:

I'm tipping the girls to win it this year, excellent trading and drafting have set us up and just like the mens team the girls also have a great list and culture to go all the way and add another cup to sit proudly next to the men's 

go dees 

 

While Meggs concurs with the sentiment, there are 5 or 6 teams thereabouts.  The Magpies have a great list and several guns (we apparently and not surprisingly tried to poach Chloe Molloy during the off season),  Brisbane, Adelaide, Fremantle and North Melbourne are all strong contenders.  A lot of things have to go right for us to win it.  Our backline and lack of finishers will determine how we go as our midfielders and running game are our strength.  Meggs loves Kayo and has watched all last season’s matches (he hopes Goldie plays each week-Sean Wightish).

Yes, Tommy should stick with number 32, it’s his premiership winning jumper after all.  
Cam Bruce went alright and of course there are some famous players from other teams in the number 32: Timmy Watson, Mark Riccuito, Buddha Hocking and Paddy Dangerfield.