Dees_In_October

Some more from the training report, re Saraid, which sounds promising, all things considered: “Saraid unfortunately experienced a hamstring strain last week, but she seems to be ticking along well in the early stages of her recovery,” Keily said. “At training early this week she was already able to do some running, which is a good sign at this stage of her recovery.” Also, welcome news that Grace Beasley returned to the main training group this week.

Just remembered, I noticed that O'Hehir had some crutches during the team song (indoor version) on Friday. I guess we'll know more in the next few days. As to the upcoming game, and the rest of the season really. I reckon we're going to do a lot of finding out, in a way that's exciting for the potential of this team, either this year or in the next few. I've always been wary of a scenario where, once the dust settles and the "early adopter" advantage fades completely, we haven't done enough to rejuvenate and recognise the tipping point of young players' skills vs. experience. Jury's still out, but I like the way we're shaping up as the middle group of teams evens out somewhat.

Friday 3rd of October 7.15pm AEST Ikon Park ONLY TWO HOME GAMES LEFT of the H&A season. Yes, this one's a Dees home game. So if you've ever looked at the trip out to Casey and thought, "Nah," this is your time to shine! After last year's debacle against the Dons, suffice to say our players will be out for revenge. And along those lines, let's all channel @Ghostwriter's feelings towards Essendon:

It was part of a mega trade involving some of our other picks - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024%E2%80%9325_AFL_Women%27s_player_movement_period#Trades But essentially we ended up getting O'Hehir and Mahony at picks 3 and 21. More on the reasons here - the club was happy for her to stay or to facilitate a trade if she decided to go. I'd call it a win for all parties, at this early stage. melbournefc.com.auA Kate and Lily reunion | Revisiting the Mithen tradeWe revisit the Lily Mithen trade from last year as we get set to face the Suns this Friday at Casey Fields.

Well there's really not much to say that hasn't already been said about that one! It's still the same question of what this team can do against better opposition. Has been a similar story for our team in several AFLW seasons, so at least it's something Mick's used to guiding the team through. For this reason I was most happy with the last quarter today. There are standards being set, which is what our young players need to learn - that uncompromising, ruthless way, as that's what will help them stand up when the pressure comes. I suspect they might need to play through more of that to get there, but we'll see. Random thoughts: Wotherspoon, break out game? Should take huge confidence from that one. Fitzsimon is putting together some kind of season. Tackle pressure incredible. Impressed with Rigoni's energy on her return to the team. Chaplin 25 disposals at 72% DE. Often had plenty of space, but made sure of her usage. Loving seeing Harris super involved all round the ground and using that long kick to good effect with and against the main character of Demons AFLW: that damn Casey wind! Me watching the game:

6. Fitzsimon 5. Wotherspoon 4. Hanks 3. Hore 2. Chaplin 1. Harris

Never a dull moment for us injury-wise! Hoping it's a cautious approach for both and nothing major. Avg. games experience of teams as selected: Melbourne: 44.8 Gold Coast: 34.4 Random fun fact: Zanker and Harris are equal 3rd in the league for contested marks. Harris still leads the competition for all-time contested marks, a full 27 marks ahead of second place. Congratulations also to Ally Anderson and Ebony Marinoff, who this weekend become the first AFLW players to notch up 100 games. From an MFC perspective, the milestone will possibly occur late in the 2026 season, with the frontrunners at this stage obviously being Hore and Paxman. Looking further into the crystal ball, our first 150- and even 200-gamer might also already be on our list. Anyone want to predict?

This timeline has reduced nicely. Going to be tough for Beasley though, which is a shame. No Campbell listed, so I guess she's good to go...although with all the talls available, not sure how she gets back in unless Pearce is rested at some point?

Me too. All else aside, the Irish game style would be amazing to watch. I guess if there was concern about the Aussie team being stacked, they could put an experience limit on it (best with under 50 games or something). I guess the question is, if we're talking the best 50 or so players in the league as it stands, how many are Irish? I think it's enough, but would be interesting to look into. I also just like the idea of seeing what an AFLW team with best talent (minus the Irish) would look like. A hint at what might have been without the rapid expansion...

The "Deetails" email referred to Zanker's 5 goals in the first quarter. Small thing, mistakes happen, but still.

Need this to happen before Goldie retires (in many, many years, of course). Also, I suspect that the Irish influence will eventually be superseded by a greater strength and depth of homegrown talent. No doubt there'll always be spots for Irish players, considering how much they bring to the game, but I think the peak moment for this might be sooner rather than later.

Friday September 26th 1.05 AEST Casey Fields One coast conquered, onto the next one. One beloved former Dee vanquished (respectfully), onto the next one! Lily Mithen is having her best season statistically since 2022A and clearly playing a big role for the Suns, who gave Adelaide a run for their money on the weekend. Hopefully it'll be her former teammates leading a conga line to victory this pre- Grand Final Public Holiday Friday!

It's been great watching Edo develop this skill over several seasons. Doesn't always come off but she always does heaps of work before the ball arrives.

So did I, ridiculously. I blame it on the tune being extremely catchy and coming into my head every time I've read the word "oats" since then. Hopefully the nickname will stick despite being quite niche, those are the best ones! Better than all the other boring "-o" and "-y" ones! Hanksy, Edo, Kate-o, Paxy, Goldie, Fitzy, etc. I do like "Heater" just because it's so fitting. I hear Saraid as "Raider" but "Radar" also works for a defender!

Haha yes. I actually think the W team is kind of lacking in inventive nicknames. "Oats" for Ebert was good, but I doubt many would get the reference from Big Brother a decade ago!

6 - Zanker 5 - McNamara 4 - Pearce 3 - Hore 2 - Fitzsimon 1 - Harris Shout outs to Gillard and Goldrick for their returns.

Also (away from my wall of text), I'd like to recommend people have a listen to the DeeBrief podcast's interview with Saraid Taylor. Some interesting reflections on where the competition is at, in particular in terms of what's expected beyond contracted hours and in the pre-pre-season. She also speaks very humbly about her season so far.

Great effort today. Everyone who needed to step up did so. Big games from EMac and L.Pearce (guess I’ll bring back the clarifying L for this game!). Why do people plan important life events when the Dees are playing? Anyway, not being in attendance, I did witness the all-important rock-paper-scissors on the broadcast @Timothy Reddan-A'Blew Though not sure who won! Even though the scoreboard was almost as lopsided as in other games we’ve played against the Eagles—and maybe this is the Daisy halo effect at work—but they looked more cohesive. And based on their record, I knew they wouldn’t drop their heads in the last quarter. Please come home one day, Daisy. I liked that Mick tried Chaplin in the middle. We may as well try everything. I'd like to see O'Hehir have a go, but probably need to be patient on that. When Zanks kicked that first one, I was so glad, because an early goal for Eden is generally a sign of at least one more to follow – huge confidence player and also benefits when we play direct so she can time her body work. Good to see a bit of crumb from the likes of Pisano, Wotherspoon and Mahoney (the latter needs to take the first option; it’s all learning). Favourite moment: Goldrick second-effort run-down tackle. Always hungry. How does any of this stack up against better quality? I guess we’ll find out. Quick turnaround to next week against the Gold Coast on the GF Public Holiday Friday.

Avg. games experience of teams as selected: Melbourne: 43.6 West Coast: 31.8 Both Melbourne and West Coast have scored 12 goals total in final quarters so far in 2025. The Eagles came home strongly to beat St Kilda and Port with a duo of impressive 5-goal bursts. In fact, West Coast has scored almost half of their total goals for the season in fourth quarters. West Coast's win % pre-Daisy: 17.8% (8 wins from 45 games) West Coast's win % post-Daisy: 37.5% (6/16) And a big congratulations to Eliza McNamara in her 50th game!

Melbourne v West Coast at Casey Fields, 1.05pm AEST MELBOURNE In: T.Gillard, S.Goldrick, A.Pisano Out: G.Campbell (Injured - wrist), L.Johnson (omitted), J.Rigoni (omitted) WEST COAST In: A.Johnson, K.Kavanagh, B.Smith Out: E.Swanson (suspension), L.Painter (concussion), L.McGrath (Injured)

1.05pm AEST Casey Fields Be there to witness human Daisy and mascot Daisy, representing opposing teams!

It's got to be done, so... 6 Hore 5 Hanks 4 McNamara 3 Chaplin 2 Harris 1 Colvin

That would have been some kind of an underserved victory if we stole that one! To be honest, I was a bit nervous about this as our first travel game. Credit to Port Adelaide. Their pressure was great and they made us play their game. At times, some of their players simply looked hungrier. Cons: Over-used the footy badly, fumbles galore Forward connection clearly left behind in Melbourne Woeful, inaccurate goalkicking Backline exposed – would have loved Gillard out there Are we seeing the end of Pearce? Positives: Good fight back, got the run and carry going, then more direct Honestly, winning that one after playing that way would probably not have been beneficial in the big picture Kate Hore is one hell of a competitor When we play teams with a physical presence and the ability to put proper pressure on the ball carrier, things tend to fall apart. Often our ball carriers were fumbly and then left stranded without that second layer of support. The Purcell-shaped hole gets larger the greater the quality of opposition – and there’s just no obvious fix for that in an immediate sense. Hanks is putting in some season but she's a 20% better player with Purcell there. To make finals we need 6, possibly 7 wins total. So, 3-4 more. We underestimate West Coast at our peril.

Avg. games experience of teams as selected: Melbourne: 40.4 Port: 36.1 Age breakdown of selected teams: Melbourne: 9 (aged 18-22); 8 (22-29); 4 (30+) Port: 14 (aged 18-22); 2 (22-29); 5 (30+) Top 5 avg. disposal efficiency (avg. disposals) Rnd 1-4*: Melbourne: Chaplin 77.3% (17.8); Hanks 71.3% (28.5); Zanker 70% (14.0); Hore 69.8% (20.5); Paxman 63.4% (18.5) Port: Goody 71.0% (13.0); Brooksby 61.8% (14.5); Lamb 59.7% (13.0); Syme 58.7% (15.2); Scholz 50.8% (16.8) *Players with 3+ games and averaging 13+ disposals In this game: - The Dees play Port for premiership points for the first time, leaving the Swans as the only opponents we haven't faced in AFLW. - Kate Hore overtakes Lily Mithen as the games record holder for Melbourne (83 games). - Megan Fitzsimon plays her 50th game. In 2025 so far, she has 33 tackles, the equal-most in our team and equal-10th in the league.

Port Adelaide v Melbourne at Alberton Oval, 2.35pm ACST PORT ADELAIDE In: K.Lamb, J.Evans Out: C.Hammond (finger), L.Paterson (omitted) MELBOURNE In: Nil Out: Nil