Dees_In_October

Putting my head in the sand re: Round 1 and checking in here instead. The pain is less fresh! Zanker played a couple of games at the end of the 2018 season and pretty sure she was 18 or 19 then. Mithen, of course! I felt like a broken record praising her early in the season! And I agree about the coach - a bad result next year might signal time for a new approach. I actually think the top coaching gig requires a very particular skill set given the challenges of the competition structure and the quickly changing game style from year to year. Cordner has for sure become more than a sentimental favourite. Good call on L.Pearce. I probably overlook her improvement because I'd expected it off the back of her VFLW season. But it really was quite the rise! It'd be great if Cunningham played in the VFLW this year, everything she needs will come from more games. I think she went back to basketball last winter though so who knows. Yeah, we could all see it early, and presumably with less info than the ones making the conferences! Mind boggling stuff. I hope you are correct in your call for 13 games but I don't hold out much hope. Glad to hear your kids enjoyed the season. Agree completely! Definitely flies under the radar but is a consistent player and, easy to forget, only 20 years old so lots of potential to add that next level to her game. On that last point - with the way some 18-year-olds played across the competition this year, I think in a couple of years there'll be a tipping point where the skills of the youngsters have to be weighed against the experience of the middle tier players. Will be interesting. 1. Definitely agree, we really missed Cranston in this regard. Gay started to step into this role as the season went on but it was clear against the Crows that we were lacking in this area. 2. Typical Melbourne, feels like we're constantly waiting for that one last marking option and then when we get one the delivery into 50 falls apart! 3. Yep, teams who know when to play the slow game often succeed. Maybe it just hasn't made it to the top of the 'to do' list yet, there's a lot to work on.

Paging some other regulars I've seen around here this season for their views: @Lucifer's Hero @dl4e @Meggs @La Dee-vina Comedia @Dee Zephyr @Little Goffy And I'll jump in with mine: Best new player - Gay Most improved player - Cordner Most underrated player - Downie Player we missed the most from the 2018 list (aside from Daisy!) - Cranston 3 players we can least afford to lose to expansion - L.Pearce, Paxman, Hore 3 players you wouldn’t mind having a chance at another club ? - Ones we could cover and that have been in and out of the team - Guest, Patterson. Phillips, who's a good player but I think we could upgrade a similar type. Best win - A lot of our wins felt like not enough, but I guess Brisbane was most comprehensive. Worst loss (apart from Round 7!) - Freo. Could have won, should have won. Would have shaped the season. Best goal/other highlight - Zanker v. the Bulldogs. Can't go past it, not even Newman on the run v. North. Keep the coach Y/N? - Y. Continuity between seasons overrides any misgivings at this stage. Player with most potential in 2020 and beyond - Hanks. Great one-touch skills and movement, will find more consistency with experience. Most important area for improvement in 2020 (besides goal kicking accuracy!) - Better handball-kicking balance. Need to know what to do when the handball game is shut down. Type of player most needed in the draft/trade - We definitely seemed to lack strength around the ball in comparison to the Crows. Unfortunately, this type of player will be in hot demand from expansion teams. Off-season wish list – what needs to happen for success in 2020? - As many players as possible to play VFLW, preferably together at Casey. Alignment between the levels is becoming stronger and teams that can have that continuity in the second best comp. will be advantaged. How should the season be structured with 14 teams in 2020? No conferences! Ideally, a 13 game H&A season. Realistically, a straight ladder with most teams playing each other. And an easier draw for North and Melb to make up for this year ?

Before we switch our focus to the men’s team, I thought we should tie up our discussions of the women’s season before the farcical finals and long off-season begins. I’ve thought up some discussion points, feel free to add your two cents on some of these or your own reflections. Best new player Most improved player Most underrated player Player we missed the most from the 2018 list (aside from Daisy!) 3 players we can least afford to lose to expansion 3 players you wouldn’t mind having a chance at another club ? Best win Worst loss (apart from Round 7!) Best goal/other highlight Keep the coach Y/N? Player with most potential in 2020 and beyond Most important area for improvement in 2020 (besides goal kicking accuracy!) Type of player most needed in the draft/trade Off-season wish list – what needs to happen for success in 2020? How should the season be structured with 14 teams in 2020?

Simply out-played, out-classed and maybe, out-coached. A very disappointing end given that our best can be terrific. Unfortunately, we were so far off that today and the Crows were comprehensively on top in every facet. They should go all the way. From slim pickings, the efforts of Mithen, plus Downie and Cordner under siege, were our best. And of course Emonson for kicking truly ? Despite a poor effort and result, I have every respect for our players, playing for the love of the game and often making sacrifices to do so - some we hear about and others we don't. They'll be disappointed to say the least. At some point this week before we're all consumed by the men's game, I'll try to put a thread together where we can reflect on the good, bad and the ugly from this season - there's lots to celebrate and this last game will probably overshadow those aspects so it would be good to do that while the season's still fresh.

If it plays out like this I will eat my hat but what a happy meal it would be!

Holding it out of reach of the other clubs... if only.

Max just casually leaning there ? I think they also usually tally up the captain's predictions on premiers, brownlow, rising star etc. at this event.

I wonder how they'll approach it - take the pressure off and play with a bit of reckless abandon, or like any other game. Back in our game (which is our usual approach) or go defensive then try to steal it?

Despite those epic highlights from Cunningham and Zanker, plus O'Dea's efforts to drag us over the line, that was probably our worst result of the season. Too many players giving away unnecessary free kicks and we were diabolical in front of goal in the first. Interestingly, we lead the competition in contested marks and are 2nd in marks inside 50, probably mostly due to Cunningham's Inspector Gadget arms. Adelaide have kicked 48 goals 43 behinds to be 2nd in goal kicking accuracy compares to our 38 goals 43 behinds and 4th. And that's the difference. So... we'll need a miracle at Casey this Saturday but I hope at least they go out swinging. The conference system has obviously done us no favours, but close losses and failure to add % when we had the chance have cost us yet again. That wind-affected game against the Pies is the other one we could have capitalised on better despite the conditions. It's also probably worth acknowledging that we've been very lucky with injuries overall compared to some other teams and have had a very settled team from week to week, which is especially beneficial in the short season. So while we've had some bad luck (robbed by the umps against the Roos), we've certainly had a good run of luck in other ways, and like Lucifer says, only have ourselves to blame for the lapses that cost us against Freo and the Dogs.

Victory from the jaws of defeat. Cunningham - cool as a cucumber!

I actually can't deal with how absurd the conference system is and how unfair it would be if we end up better than most of conference B and still don't get in. Too bad we softened up North for the Crows. I'm not even joking, we seriously did! Not to take away from the Crows' form, but North looked worn down. Anyway, I'm trying to focus on the continued development of our team (in the hope they don't all get poached next season!)... and let the rest play out as it may. Awesome game by Maddie Gay. I remember someone on here asked about her earlier in the season and I hadn't seen much from her yet, but clearly, she was building her way into a new team and has been great the last two weeks. It's good to have some other players getting prolonged opportunities in the midfield, not just in Daisy's absence, but I also feel like O'Dea's role has changed in that regard. I liked the dash shown by Guerin, another Maddie I think, and hope she gets another game next week. Probably my favourite part of our effort yesterday was the team commitment to preventing Staunton getting a roll on in the last quarter. Every time she got the ball, there was a Dee right onto her and sometimes two (or three!) trying to either surround her to prevent the side-step or take her down. They weren't always completely successful - although I think Zanker succeeded towards the end - but it felt like a mini-competition within the game at one point. I noticed Smith, in particular, being very aware of that particular danger. Fingers crossed for goal kicking accuracy in the last two games...

I still reckon some fans of other teams underrate his brilliance because a lot of what he does is so split-second that you can barely see it in the tv coverage, let alone at the ground. I say this every time an Oliver thread comes up, but in the 2017 season I was making GIFs of his best handballs but gave up in 2018 because there were just so many and it was actually really hard to capture even in a GIF!

What an 'almost' game. We almost won it despite the umpires and our own mistakes. What I most wanted from this game though was for us to give it a red hot try and a four-quarter effort, which I would say we almost achieved. We certainly ran out of puff, mentally as much as physically, hence the boundary kicks in the last few minutes. It's hard when the umpires take the wind out of your sails like that though. Special mention to Gay who probably had her best game so far. Also liked Phillips' endeavour, although that wonky handball action and the way she pushes the 'traveling' rule always has me worried! Not much went right for Cordner but couldn't fault her effort. I think in the end we were just slightly outclassed (and the umpires). Accuracy in front of goal is always the story. And I knew King would get us one way or another... that was kind of predictable based on the rest of the Roos games but no one could go with her. I thought Hore played very well, particularly in the first half. I've said it before but Mithen's really gone up a level. Would like Cunningham to have a bit more urgency in turning to look for the short lead when she gets the ball around the 50. This is an easy fix and is probably just an issue of inexperience than anything else but it cost us some closer shots at goal. I found it hard to tell at the ground - but did anyone who watched on TV notice if we tried to tag Kearney at all? Every time I saw her she was in space. Interestingly she had the same number of disposals as O'Dea, but I'd say that Kearney was more influential. I think they'll have lots to work with in review (positive and negative).

And narrower, to a different proportion. The length isn't a problem because you can just size down from a men's shoe, but then the width is usually still too wide. It probably isn't an issue for kids' sizes, but after that, it makes a difference.

Thank you football gods. I'm yet to see the actual second incident (in the marking contest), but from the verdict, it sounds like common sense prevailed and the description in the initial report made it sound worse than it was. George on the outer - the incident shown in the footage is the first incident, which was just a reprimand.

Everyone could see from the get-go that it was a terrible idea, even if they managed to guess well enough to make even conferences - and yes, it would be a guess! It's nigh on impossible to know who will rise and fall from season to season, with expansion teams, the rate of improvement, the significant movement between clubs, the immediate influence of draftees. Having said that, they sure did make some weird choices based on teams' standings in the first 2 seasons. Regardless, it's not a true competition if all teams don't play each other once. It just isn't. The number 1 thing the AFL can do to improve the standard is to give teams the chance to play together for as many games as possible.

Sounds like the Cunningham report was for a separate incident to the one the commentators talked about, which was the earlier incident shown on replay that was clearly on body. Who knows what the second one was like because I'm pretty sure they never showed it. I don't like her chances the way it's described though. Bye bye 30% of the season! Our players that made the Team of the Week: Defenders: Harriet Cordner Midfielders: Lauren Pearce Forwards: Aliesha Newman Interchange: Karen Paxman

Excellent win and very even across the board - I reckon everyone out there played their role and contributed in some way. That's probably a strength this season compared to some other teams who tend to rely on their top 2-3. Cordner had a standout game and was well assisted by the way the rest of the backs organised themselves and set up. To Lions were super predictable (in part due to our pressure on the ball carrier) and we read them like a book. Once we had it hemmed in our forward line it was all over, especially given our dominance out of the middle. By contrast, when they had it trapped in their forward line in the third quarter, our defense was tenacious (helped along by some let offs by their players). Perhaps Newman's best game? Could have easily had 4! The day that Zanker kicks a bag is approaching, but for now I just love her follow-up and forward pressure. L.Pearce has improved out of sight of the back of an excellent VFLW season and I think really thrives being the sole true ruck, although they seemed to share it round more yesterday. Some of her spot up kicks into the forward line were excellent. Also probably Phillips best game this season, much more involved. If Cunningham was reported for that only slightly late and not particularly forceful hit when it wasn't even paid as a free kick I would have been annoyed. Glad it was just a mistake by the commentators, who do tend to take things and run with them. Agree with Meggs about Kat Smith, an underrated player and worth swinging forward if we need a shuffle. Our chances next week? If we can play our utmost best, anything might happen but it won't be smooth sailing. Will be trekking out to Casey to see how it goes and looking forward to seeing lots of red and blue out there.

For the most part, I like having the separate board as it makes it a little harder for people who don't have constructive contributions to interrupt those that do. The key word being constructive - criticism is fine but the boring "I'd rather do X than watch blah blah" comments are so tired and unnecessary, luckily there has been less of that here lately than in other places. It's just annoying when people feel the need to rush in and say they're not interested when everyone else just wants to talk about what's actually happening on the field. Having said that, the more the merrier, so if having the game thread on the main board brings more people along for the ride, why not?

Yeah, by 'usual level' I meant 'amazing' but maybe she was better than that - named in the team of the week! Can't say I noticed Gay's input much on the weekend, definitely more impact last week. Early days yet, but here's where the Dees stand for some key stats across the first 2 rounds: 1st: handballs, contested possessions, hit outs, cont. marks, clearances 2nd: behinds 3rd: goals 7th: marks 8th: disp. eff. and kicks 9th: tackles

Every time I see that clip I always watch out for the camera flash. Perfect timing from all involved!

Great atmosphere at Vic Park - by which I mean thousands of very quiet Pies supporters and a bunch of happy Dees! Just the way it should be. Again the wind wreaked havoc but we played it much better than they did. I liked our players' persistence and willingness to go again and again even when we weren't quite linking up. We looked much tighter and steadier down back. Although the Pies forward structure was nothing to write home about, we'll gain some confidence from being able to shut them down. Solid returns from Guest and Kemp. We looked better with Jakkobson down back and Cordner, Lampard and Downie took it up a notch. Emonson is very composed. Woodland also seemed more comfortable in game 2. Mithen is having the kind of season I was hoping for in the absence of Daisy. Her positioning's spot on and she's finding some space. L.Pearce's workrate and follow-up are great. Would love to know how many times she was able to take possession straight out. O'Dea and Paxman brought their usual level although Paxman really should have converted some of those chances. Not great conditions for getting the ball to Cunningham on the lead and Zanker didn't have many opportunities either but both found ways to be involved. Probably needed more out of Scott, Hore and Newman. On the other hand, Hanks showed some real spark. Must-win game next week. They all are, plus we'll be counting on some upsets down the track...

AFLCA Votes Round 1: Melbourne v Fremantle 9 – Karen Paxman (MELB) 7 – Kiara Bowers (FRE) 6 – Ebony Antonio (FRE) 4 – Dana Hooker (FRE) 2 – Elise O’Dea (MELB) 2 – Lauren Pearce (MELB) AFLW Leaderboard: 10 – Emily Bates (BRIS) 10 – Nina Morrison (GEEL) 10 – Lauren Spark (WBD) 9 – Jasmine Garner (NMFC) 9 – Karen Paxman (MELB)

2 players in the team of the week: "Midfielders: Lauren Pearce (ruck, Melbourne), Ally Anderson (Brisbane), Ellie Blackburn (Western Bulldogs), Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide), Nina Morrison (Geelong), Karen Paxman (Melbourne) Pearce had an excellent winter, finishing second in the VFLW best and fairest playing for Darebin. She was one of Melbourne's best in its loss to Fremantle with 32 hit-outs, 11 disposals (10 contested) and five clearances. Karen Paxman continues to cement her status as one of the competition's elite midfielders with 18 contested possessions and a round-high nine clearances."

So unlucky and cruel after waiting so long to play.