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Meggs' Review of Melbourne's AFLW Season 9 ... Congratulations first off to the North Melbourne Kangaroos on winning the 2024 AFLW Premiership. Roos Coach Darren Crocker has assembled a team chock-full of competitive and highly skilful players who outclassed the Brisbane Lions in the Grand Final to remain undefeated throughout Season 9. A huge achievement in what was a dominant season by North. For Melbourne fans, the season was unfortunately one of frustration and disappointment but there were some positives to celebrate. A tough draw, a slew of injuries to key players, an exodus of quality, battle-hardened teammates, and a bevy of young recruits conscripted prematurely, culminated in a lowly percentage (87.9%), and missing finals, finishing ninth. The best of the rest. One positive of the season was the exposure of young players to the real thing. Georgias Gall and Campbell, Ry Wotherspoon and Alyssia Pisano all garnered valuable match day experience. While recruits Grace Beasley and Denby Taylor looked promising and well-suited in the red and blue. Other positives to celebrate were the cohort of rising stars who had personal-best seasons (see below) and foundation coach Mick Stinear’s contract extension to 2025. The following are some reflections on Season 9, 2024. Offseason trades and 2023 draft A significant cull by stalwart Demon recruiter Todd Paterson jettisoned eight players as part of a list refresh. A raft of higher draft picks was yielded in the exchanges. The jury remains sequestered on whether it was a successful trading period. While two retired, six other players went on to play a total of 62 games for rival clubs in 2024. This was quite an experience drain, especially in midfield and defence. Melbourne went to the draft with 5 picks (5, 12, 24, 29, 55). Todd chose Alyssia Pisano, a small forward (8 games), Ry Wotherspoon a forward utility (10), Jac Hose, a ruck recovering from an ACL (0), Jemma Rigoni a father/daughter selection (0), and Delany Madigan a defender (1) who has been delisted after one season. Interestingly Melbourne did not select available defenders Lucy Cronin (Pies) or Mikayla Williamson (Hawks) who both excelled in defence in 2024 and earned rising star nominations. Young Dog Elaine Grigg at pick 6 was another who excelled in her first year. The Demons off-season recruits included US College Basketball star Grace Beasley (3), ex-Port Adelaide small utility Lily Johnson (5) along with injury replacement players Grace Hill (8) for Hose and Denby Taylor (7) for A Mackin. The newbies played a total of 42 games. Ex-Dees making their mark in rival colours To recap: Eliza West and Casey Sherriff were traded to Hawthorn, Maddi Gay to Essendon, Libby Birch to North, Charlotte Wilson to Gold Coast and Jordie Ivey to Collingwood VFLW. Westy took the competition by storm, averaging 22 disposals and 8 tackles in her 13 games. She was instrumental in her new team’s rise to second position on the ladder alongside the deputy Sherriff. Birch is now a 3-time premiership player. The regularly injured Maddie Gay (while a Demon) suddenly played every game for the finals-bound Bombers this year and became their key defensive architect. Wilson and Ivey were solid defenders for their teams. The ‘fixed-ya’ When AFLW published its 2024 fixture in May 2024 it was obvious that the handicapper had given MFC a really tough draw. It ended up even harder as the teams we played did better than expected and teams we didn’t play did worse A post-season article by AFL media confirmed that the Demons had the hardest fixture: It was a kind of fixed-ya fixture. Thank you, AFL. The Nadir Practice match losses to lowly Carlton and an improving Port Power, the aforementioned ‘tough draw’ and long-term injuries to Aimee Mackin (season) and Liv Purcell had lowered our confidence meter for the season opener at Sleepy Hollow. Equally, the Cats practice match form was patchy. On game day, Kate Hore was the clear standout and starred along with Blaithin Mackin for a nail-biting 2-point win. Sadly, a Tayla Harris shoulder injury ended her season. Thence came reality checks at Casey against the reigning premiers and the eventual premiers. Then came long term injuries to Lauren Pearce (broken wrist) and Paxy (foot). More bad news ensued with Grace Beasley doing her ACL at training to be out for the season. Smarting from the Kangaroo hiding, Mick fired up his troops for the clash at Fremantle Oval and we led by 3 goals at ¾ time. Sadly, we could not sustain it and went goalless as the Dockers piled on 4 goals and to add insult to injury, Blaithin Mackin hurt her calf and Eden Zanker her knee. Cursed! Round 5 was a Bomber dee-capitulation. Our worst loss in history, 65 points. A busted nose for Lize Mac and plenty of bruises and hurt feelings to go around. A dismal display to witness. The Demons had lost 7 of their past 8 games and Mick Stinear’s win loss record was taking a battering. Return from the Void Where to from now? Mick and his coaches huddled and emerged with a simplified game plan and agreed to place individual players in their optimum position. Maeve Chaplin in a post-season interview confirmed there was a change of game plan. It was a good move as the Dees slowly roared back to life with four straight wins over Giants, Crows, Saints and Tigers with Alyssa Bannan looking dangerous around goals. The penultimate game was the must-win match in Cairns against the high-flying Hawks. Of course, the injury curse struck yet again with Kate Hore, a late withdrawal with a sore quad. Tyla Hanks brilliantly led the team as we battled hard in hot and humid conditions. We lost by 6 points and with it the chance to secure a finals place. A 47-point drubbing of Collingwood next week made us feel better, but it was not the finish to the season we were hoping for. Maevo named in the AA squad Melbourne FC had one inclusion in the AFLW All-Australia 42 player squad. Maeve Chaplin, who put together a career-best season in 2024. In 11 matches Maeve averaged 13.6 disposals at 78.7% efficiency (team-high), 4 rebound 50s, 6.7 intercepts (10th in the league) and 2 intercept marks per match. A unique journey, Maeve was overlooked in two drafts and then was signed as a replacement player only to be delisted and then drafted again in that same year 2022. Don’t forget she was a S7 2022 premiership defender. We love Maevo and what she brings every week. Player movements 2024 The Trade Period opens on Thursday 5 December 2024 and closes 11 December. AFLW is reporting that superstar Tayla Harris is Collingwood or Hawthorn bound. The Hawks pick 14 would be tempting. A high-quality draft awaits. Heart and soul warrior Lily Mithen is said to be considering a tempting offer to move to Gold Coast in a deal which could land the Dees pick 2. GCS have No. 1 draft pick Havana Brown in their academy. The 2024 Draft (AFLW’s first fully national draft) is being held on Monday 16 December 2024. The calibre of players available is the strongest on record and the Demons will, by the sounds of it, have some high picks. Todd, please recruit some skilful contested footy mids with strong bodies and footy nous. Zippy Fish from East Fremantle is one impressive player (in name at least) and who knows who else Todd has in mind for the early pick. There are several excellent midfielders available. For a later pick we could consider 2-km time trial dynamo Oakleigh Chargers’ Sarah Poustie. Meggs wrote about Charlotte Brewer who impressed in a game with Casey VFLW. She has Demon connections via her grandfather Ross and current Casey VFLW coach Matt. Choose wisely Todd! Personal-best seasons Several players had their best ever seasons at Melbourne which is worth celebrating. We congratulate Maeve Chaplin on her AA nomination. Maevo started brilliantly in the practice matches and assumed the Demon defensive ‘generalissima’ for the entire season. Libby who? Eliza McNamara is an endurance queen who was able add four-quarter contested footy to her game in 2024, racking up career-best possession numbers (22.2 per game) and averaging 392 metres gained. Sinead Goldrick has always been a pleasure to watch but in 2024 she was crucial in everything she did both in defence and midfield and kicked 3 goals to boot. In last year’s season Demonland review, Meggs argued that ‘Fitzy (should) be played on the ball where she has done well in VFLW. You want the ball in her hands because she has good skills and makes good decisions.’ Well in 2024 Mick sent Fitzy into the middle and she recorded career-best possession numbers (13.6 per game, up from 7.8). Her one-percenters are a feature. It would have been a good coaches review for her for sure. Best and Fairest In the AFLW Best and Fairest, Demons scored 32 votes (2023:46). Kate Hore earned 12 votes (2023:12), Tyla Hanks 8, Blaithin Mackin 4 (first ever votes), Alyssa Bannan 3, Liv Purcell 2, Eliza McNamara 1 (first ever votes), Paxy Paxman 1, and Eden Zanker 1. The Demons Best and Fairest will be held on 9 December 2024 with Meggs tipping our talisman captain Kate Hore to win the B&F once again. Expect Goldie and Maevo who both played outstanding footy in both halves of the season to be thereabouts, with Hanksy and Eliza Mac to complete the top five. Melbourne FC has written a piece on some of the top-performing Demons of the season and is copied here: Alyssa Bannan A fan-favourite Demon, Bannan was back to her brilliant best this year. The 22-year-old’s speed and infectious energy inside 50 was a spectacle to enjoy throughout 2024. She finished as the team’s leading goal-kicker for the season, kicking 12 majors across her 11 games including a four-goal haul during Week 8. Blaithin Mackin Mackin started the season as one of the top performers across the league before injury halted her rise. Her ability to take on the contest and bring the ball forward was an important part of her game. Minus the match in which she was injured, Mackin averaged 17 disposals, and 371 metres gained. Could her early impact be enough to push her high in the count? Eliza McNamara 2024 was a season that put McNamara’s name on the map. Lining up for Melbourne along the wing, the 22-year-old produced career-best numbers and made regular impact during games with a relentless attitude at the contest. She averaged 22 disposals, seven intercepts and five marks. Kate Hore As expected, the Melbourne skipper embraced her second season at the helm. With a dual role, lining up in the midfield and forward line, Hore influenced in many ways. From performances that saw her lead the charge inside 50 to displays of strength in the contest, she continued to be a consistent contributor for the red and blue. Maeve Chaplin In a breakout year for the Demon, Maeve Chaplin well and truly made her mark in Melbourne’s defence. The young defender was a powerful strength coming out of the backline. She averaged 6.7 intercepts (10th in the league) and 13.6 disposals, with a disposal efficiency of 78.7% (a team high). Sinead Goldrick This season, fans got to see even more of Goldrick’s explosive and exciting talent, spending time in various positions across the ground. Her speed and aggressive attack went from strength-to-strength this year as she averaged 16 disposals and six intercepts, also taking her opportunities inside 50, kicking three goals. Tahlia Gillard Gillard’s 2024 saw her, once again, lead Melbourne’s backline at just 20 years old. The tall Demon has become an unstoppable force with another year of experience under her belt, now cemented as one of the best lockdown defenders in the league. This season saw her average six intercepts and a league-high six spoils. Tyla Hanks A dependable Demon since her first season at the club back in 2019, Hanks provided a level of stability in Melbourne’s midfield this year. The hard-working and crafty Demon led by example as the club’s vice-captain, averaging 18 disposals, five tackles and four clearances. Thank you, readers, Well, that’s all for Season 9. It has been such a pleasure writing about this wonderful team and if you’ve got this far, thank you so much for reading. Meggs wishes everyone all the best for the festive season. Lots to get excited about in 2025 with both our men’s and women’s footy teams. Go Dees! MEGGS

The conclusion to Narrm’s home and away season was the inevitable let down by the bloody Blues who meekly capitulated to the Bombers. The 2024 season fixture handicapped the Demons chances from the get-go with Port Adelaide, Brisbane and Essendon advantaged with enough gimme games to ensure a tough road to the finals, especially after a slew of early season injuries to star players cost wins and percentage. As we strode confidently through the gates of Princes Park knowing an easy killing of Pies awaited, in our hearts and minds, we were resigned ourselves to the likelihood of finishing ninth. Indigenous Round kicked off with a traditional dance and a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri man Colin Hunter Jnr prior to the first bounce. Following the tragic news of the death of 11-year-old Auburn South Primary schoolboy Jack Davey, the Melbourne players wore black armbands in remembrance of the young Demons supporter. Both the warm sunny Saturday afternoon and the Demons demolition of the hapless Magpies helped boost our collective Narrm spirit as our wonderful girls really turned it on. Oh, and how we could have used Kate Hore in FNQ last week! Kate consistently demonstrates she is a superstar of the competition and such a wonderful leader of our footy club. She’s an entertainer too, kicking three classy goals to be AFLW All-time leading goal scorer with 81 goals. Eliza McNamara starred again breaking through 30 disposals for the third time this year. Some are calling for her All-Australian recognition, Meggs agrees. The Pies did get to within 7 points early in the second quarter but from there on, it was one-way traffic. For the Pies, experienced pair Brit Bonnici and Ruby Schleicher persistently plugged away. Stalwart fullback Stacey Livingstone playing her last game was sent forward in the final quarter and scored a point to a few cheers. Rhi Watt stunned TV audiences announcing her retirement during a boundary line interview. She was carried off post-match in style with lots of smiles and a few tears. Our ninth-place finish should not diminish what has been achieved in 2024. We are really proud of how the playing group rebounded from the low point to finish in positive win/loss territory. Mick Stinear has an elite nucleus of experienced players from which to build on. You could tell at Ikon Park that the Demon fans really love this team and that the playing group is already steeled for a red-hot crack in 2025. For the Dees It was a day to execute the game plan, and it worked splendidly at times. At ground level, Hanksy and Kate’s passing are elite. It's wonderful to witness. Apart from the regular stars, we have seen solid improvement this year in a number of players. Chaplin has proven to be a stellar defender, Fitzy has had her best season by far, talls Gall and Campbell have grown in confidence and fan favourite Banno has really turned it on in the second half of the season. Lots to like. Coaches and next week Mick Stinear was proud of his team’s effort. He was particularly pleased with the improved connection and reward for effort. He said the group would be watching the Essendon v Carlton game together later evening. Spoiler alert: Carlton’s two best midfielders were late withdrawals and Essendon won by 6 goals. Mick felt the early season loss of core mids Loz Pearce and Liv Purcell hurt our chances. He praised the impact of Rhi Watt both on and off the field and she will be missed by everyone at the Club. Sam Wright said it was a tough season with so many injuries and the lack of continuity. He is optimistic that improvement will come from game system education and an improved ability to retain the ball in the forward half. That’s all folks! Go Dees! NARRM 3.3.21 7.3.45 10.6.66 11.8.74 COLLINGWOOD 1.2.8 2.2.14 3.2.20 4.3.27 GOALS NARRM Hore 3 Bannan 2 Campbell Fitzsimon Gall Hanks Pisano Zanker COLLINGWOOD Bonnici 2 Barnett Butler BEST NARRM Hore McNamara Hanks Purcell Zanker Fitzsimon COLLINGWOOD Bonnici Schleicher White Brazzale Cronin Cann INJURIES NARRM Nil COLLINGWOOD Nil REPORTS NARRM Nil COLLINGWOOD Nil CROWD 1,854 at Ikon Park POSTSCRIPT Meggs will return after the finals with a 2024 Season Review. He tips North to win the flag.

The Demons’ impressive late season charge to finals will most likely come unstuck this Saturday evening when the Bombers blow up the also-ran Blues in the Ikon Park double-header. To mangle McCartney, what does it matter to ya? To have any chance to play next week Narrm has got a job to do and needs to do it well. We’ve got to give the Pie sheilas hell, say live and let die! It’s Indigenous Round for this game and the chance to celebrate and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Supporters are encouraged to be in their seats by 12:40pm, with students from Worawa Aboriginal College performing a traditional dance prior to Narrm running out at 12:55pm. A Welcome to Country from Wurundjeri man Colin Hunter Jnr will then take place before the first bounce at 1:05pm. Saturday is forecast for a sunny afternoon, ideal for entertaining footy in Narrm’s final home game for 2024. Both teams have endured long injury lists this season which has impacted their respective ladder positions. A Pies loss will see Collingwood win the wooden spoon while we Dees will have to wait until around 9pm to learn their fate. Congratulations to Blaithin Mackin who was named in the Week 9 Team of the Week. B has played some scintillating footy this season. How good will it be to see A and B return fully fit for Season 2025. Selection this week Kate Hore has been cleared to play and Alyssia Pisano gets to play her 8th game in this debut season. The small forward is yet break into disposals double figures. A goal-sneaky chance this week? Making way is Goldie who was really banged up by the heaved-handed Hawks last week receiving concussion, while reliable defender Denby Taylor is being managed. Meggs’ view The Demons must win. Collingwood is missing their Captain Bri Davey but has a solid core group of experienced players such as Brit Bonnici and Ruby Schleicher who are capable of restricting our ball movement. Can the Pies maintain the pressure for 4 quarters? The return of Kate Hore will strengthen the midfield and Hanksy et al will enjoy her company. Goldie’s attack and flair will be sorely missed but Mick Stinear will ensure that others step up. Expecting Loz Pearce to match it with Sabrina Frederick and give our midfielders first use of the ball. The Demons defensive group are well led by Chaplin and Gillard. Fan favourite Alyssa Bannan is in a rich vein of form scoring in her past 5 games. Narrm should kick enough goals for a comfortable win. Carn the Blues! Narrm by 24 points THE GAME Round 11: Narmm v Collingwood Saturday 2 November 2024 at 1:05pm (Melbourne time) Ikon Park, Melbourne – Wurundjeri HEAD TO HEAD Overall Narmm 4 wins Collingwood 2 wins At Ikon Park Narrm 2 wins Collingwood 0 wins The Coaches Stinear 0 wins Wright 0 wins MEDIA TV – Fox Footy, Kayo THE LAST TIME THEY MET - 2023 Season 8 Round 1 Melbourne 10.13 (73) defeated by Collingwood 4.7 (31) at Ikon Park, 1 September 2023 MELBOURNE 1.4 2.7 7.11 10.13 (73)
 COLLINGWOOD 2.0 4.3 4.4 4.7 (31) GOALS
 MELBOURNE Bannan 3 Heath Zanker 2 Campbell Harris
 Hore COLLINGWOOD Brown Cann Davey Morris-Dalton BEST MELBOURNE Hanks Mithen Bannan Purcell Zanker Heath COLLINGWOOD
 Davey Bonnici Rowe Cann Morris-Dalton CROWD 8,412 at Ikon Park Entertainment plus in the Season 2023 opener as the Hot Pies went cold after half time due to an 8-goal second half blitz by the Mighty Dees. The skill level and delivery into our forward 50 was some of the best we’d seen. The vibe at IKON Park was great and Kate Roffey and Daisy Pearce unfurled the Demons Season 7 premiership flag. It was Hanksy’s 50th milestone game. She displayed her usual gameday awesomeness, celebrating with a crushing win. THE TEAMS NARRM B S Taylor Gillard HB Heath, Chaplin Lampard C Mackin Hanks McNamara HF Gall Wotherspoon Zanker F Bannan Hore FOLL Pearce Purcell Fitzsimon I/C Johnson Watt Campbell Mithen Pisano EMG Hill Rigoni Madigan IN Hore Pisano OUT D Taylor (managed) Goldrick (concussion) COLLINGWOOD B Cronin Livingstone HB Schutte Butler Schleicher C Rowe White Allan HF Morris James Porter F Fowler Hyde FOLL Frederick Bonnici Cann I/C Atkinson Barnett Evans Remmos Brazzale EMG Sansonetti Clark Taylor IN James Hyde OUT Ivey Clark INJURY LIST: ROUND 11 Narrm Kate Hore Hamstring Test Sinead Goldrick Concussion 1-2 weeks Gaby Colvin Concussion 1-2 weeks Paxy Paxman Foot TBC Grace Beasley ACL Season Tayla Harris Shoulder Season Jacinta Hose ACL Inactive Aimee Mackin ACL Inactive Collingwood Eliza James Concussion Test Bri Davey Tibia Season Grace Campbell Hip Season Kalinda Howarth ACL Season Selena Kalson Shin Season Annie Lee Knee Season Charlotte Blair Shin Season Nell Morris-Dalton Back Inactive Aishling Sheridan Personal Inactive

It was a sweaty, slippery night at Cazalys Stadium, a tough slog with low scoring and missed opportunities. The Hokball Hawks hung on to win by a goal and sit second on the ladder, relegating the disappointed Demons to, almost certainly, finals spectators. We had to win this match. When news broke of late withdrawals of talisman Kate Hore and key back Gaby Colvin, expectations plummeted, and Demon fans despaired. The bad news was the signature song of 2024, a season that’s breaking us in two as we watch it slip away. Narrm began Indigenous Round brightly. A Tyla Hanks sublime kick to Georgia Gall in the first quarter was well marked and she goaled to open the scoring. A promising start. The hot and humid conditions slowly exhausted the players and footy became more slippery as the match went on. Ambitious handballs and pressured kicking were not helping our connection nor our chances of scoring. The Hawks really got on top in the second and third terms, missing several chances to extend their lead. A match highlight was Hawks and Tiwi Islander player Mattea Breed’s brilliant flying mark-of-the-year contender in the third quarter. To change it up, Mick moved Eliza MacNamara into the midfield which gave the team more drive. Liz alongside our key playmakers Hanks, Goldrick, B Mackin, Purcell and Fitzsimon were critical in keeping the margin to only eight-points at the last change. Two key Hawks were later praised by Mick Stineaer in ruck and ex Casey VFLW player Lucy Wales who took 9 marks and 21 hit outs and veteran defensive sweeper Tilly Lucas-Rodd. He could also have mentioned Westy’s 6 clearances and game-high 25 disposals or young superstar Jas Fleming, Emily Bates or Kashy. In the end the chances were not taken and Narrm failed to bridge the gap. While payers and spectators are understandably crestfallen, we all know it was not due to a lack of effort. The Hawks were the better team. Goldie is good Sinead Goldrick has played outstanding football for Narrm this year. Thursday night against the Hawks was no different with her 20 possessions, familiar attack on the ball and lots of run and carry. Worryingly, Goldie was taken from the ground in the final quarter looking groggy from a head knock after Emily Bates kneed her with both knees. No free from the umps? Earlier Goldie had been dumped by Mackenzie Eardley in a nasty dangerous tackle but on that occasion, she jumped straight back up to take her free kick We hope Sinead is Good as Gold(ie). All we need is a Miracle Essendon looks set to pip Narrm, Geelong and St Kilda into a finals berth. Expecting the Saints to lose to Brisbane next week and Narrm to defeat Collingwood. Essendon have played 3 matches against fellow top 8 teams, losing each game whereas Narrm has played 7 matches against Top 8 teams winning 2. The Bombers will likely defeat the Blues next week and end on 26 points with Demons on 24 points. Essendon will have defeated us and 5 of the bottom 7 teams to make it. The Narrm wins have been against superior quality: Adelaide, Richmond, Geelong, St Kilda and only 2 of the bottom 7 teams. The Demons hierarchy could not be happy to miss out on finals once again to the uneven AFLW fixture. Season 2024 is up to the footy gods now. We beat Collingwood and hope the Bombers blow an engine. For the Dees Alyssa Bannan, who some were critical of early in the season,has really turned it around with some exciting footy. She looked our most dangerous forward and kicked 1 goal 3 behinds. Youngster Ryleigh Wotherspoon, who hails from Mackay, looked right at home in the tropical conditions. Ry was a solid contributor tonight, one of her best games so far. Coaches and Next Week Mick Stinear and the playing group were shattered with the loss. He was proud of the way they fought out the game but acknowledged that the better team won on the night. He expects Kate Hore and Goldie to be chipper for next week. Daniel Webster said his team produced a high-level performance against quality opposition and was rapt with the win. He praised the hard stuff that Eliza West does and her work getting hands on the ball and setting up teammates. The Demons next play Collingwood at Ikon Park on Saturday while the Hawks take on Richmond at Punt Road on Sunday. Good luck Dees! NARRM 1.0.6 1.1.7 2.2.14 2.5.17 HAWTHORN 2.0.12 3.2.20 3.5.23 3.5.23 GOALS NARRM Bannan Gall HAWTHORN Fleming Hipwell McDonagh BEST NARRM McNamara B Mackin Hanks Bannan Goldrick Purcell HAWTHORN Fleming West Lucas-Rodd Wales Bates Ashmore LATE CHANGES NARRM Kate Hore (quad) and Gabby Colvin (concussion) replaced in selected side by Saraid Taylor and Lily Johnson HAWTHORN Nil INJURED NARRM Goldrick (head) HAWTHORN Nil REPORTS NARRM Nil HAWTHORN Nil CROWD 2,602 at Cazaly Stadium

FNQ will be hot and sultry this Thursday night when the mighty Demons take on the highflying Hawks at up there Cazalys Stadium in Cairns. The Demons once again rebrand for Indigenous Round as ‘Narrm’, the Woi Wurrung name for Melbourne in the language of the traditional owners. Narrm has surged back up the ladder and sits just outside the eight on percentage with 5 wins. Our opponents Hawthorn sit second with 8 wins and have been become really offensive. Having previously won only 6 out 20 games at an average score of 27 ‘points for’ under their former coach, the Hawks are humming with 8 wins from 9 games and scoring 59 points a game. The single biggest factor in the Hawks rapid improvement seems to be the appointment of new coach Daniel Webster. As an understudy to Craig Starcevic at Brisbane, Webster had oversight of the Lions elite premiership winning midfield and he has shaped the component parts of his new squad brilliantly. The Hawks have recruited a bevy of experienced players from other clubs. AFLW Champion Player of the Year, Emily Bates leads the midfield. She is supported by ex-Demon Eliza West who is in career best form and top 4 for competition disposals. Former skipper Tilly Lucas-Rodd has transformed into a defensive sweeper and Kashy an evergreen runner on the wing. The Hawks’ experienced midfielders have been complemented with young stars Jas Fleming and the strong bodied Mattea Breed. Irish players Gilroy and McDonagh aredangerous forwards. The Happy team also have Hokball, but Meggs is not sure what is. Selection this week Gaby Colvin returns after her concussion issues and last week’s debutant Saraid Taylor is omitted. For the Hawks, Demon premiership player Casey Sherriff, returns from injury against her old club. Meggs’ view The Hawks are playing at an incredibly high standard. Their Round 5 match against Geelong was the best AFLW game Meggs has seen. The ball movement, contested marking, accurate kicking and pressure was elite. If you have Kayo, you should watch it. Mick Stinear and his playing group have their work cut out this week. Promisingly, we have been building since the Essendon debacle. Tyla Hanks, Kate Hore and now Liv Purcell have been awesome in the midfield. Loz Pearce is fit, doing her ruck thing. Eliza Mac has her wing buddy Blaithin back. A sound defensive unit has emerged with Chappy, Goldie, Tahls, Heathy and Denby T really stepping up. Plus, Gaby returns this week. Yay! With Banno kicking goals, Zanker making her presence felt and Gally clunking marks, our forwards are on song. If it’s slippery, get it forward any way you can. Precision footy in the predicted weather conditions will likely end up in turnovers. And please kick straight. The bookies overwhelmingly favour Hawthorn ($1.39) this week, but Meggs senses an upset which keeps our finals hopes alive. 😊 Melbourne by 6 points THE GAME Round 10: Narrm v Hawthorn Thursday 24 October 2024 at 7:45pm (Melbourne time) Cazalys Stadium, Cairns – Yidinji HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 1 win Hawthorn 0 wins At Cazalys Stadium Melbourne 0 wins Hawthorn 0 wins The Coaches Stinear 0 wins Webster 0 wins MEDIA TV – Fox Footy, Kayo THE LAST TIME THEY MET - 2023 Season 8 Round 3 Melbourne 10.10 (70) defeated Hawthorn 1.5 (11) at Frankston Oval, 22 September 2023 MELBOURNE 2.4 4.6 8.7 10.10 (70) HAWTHORN 0.1 0.3 1.5 1.5 (11)
 GOALS
 MELBOURNE Zanker 3 Hore 2 Bannan Harris B Mackin McNamara Pearce HAWTHORN McDonagh BEST
 MELBOURNE Hanks Heath Gillard Mithen Purcell HAWTHORN Bates Everist Fleming Elliott Lucas-Rodd
 INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil HAWTHORN Nil CROWD 2,917 at Kinetic Stadium The setting sun at Frankston Oval caused havoc for spectators, TV camera people, commentators, coaches, and players alike. A wonderful #DeeArmy banner paid tribute to the great Ron Dale Barassi. It was Aimee Mackin’s debut game. The Hawks applied pressure winning the tackle count and inside 50s but the Demons withstood everything they could muster and blitzed them easily by 59 points. Tyla Hanks starred with 26 disposals, 3 clearances and 10 score involvements. Eden Zanker kicked 3 goals, all in the 3rd quarter. Melbourne Assistant Shae Sloane was the matchday coach. She was pleased with how her team was able to stay calm with ball in hand under heaps of Hawthorn pressure. THE TEAMS NARRM B Colvin Gillard HB Chaplin Heath Goldrick C B Mackin Hanks McNamara HF Fitzsimon Mithen Zanker F Bannan Gall FOLL Pearce Hore Purcell I/C Campbell Lampard D Taylor Watt Wotherspoon EMG Johnson Rigoni S Taylor IN Colvin OUT S Taylor (omitted) HAWTHORN B Kemp Eardley HB Elliott Richardson Smith C Ashmore Lucas-Rodd Fleming HF Breed McDonagh Gilroy F Hipwell Baskaran FOLL Wales West Bates I/C McLaughlin Sherriff Stephenson Vukic Williamson EMG Butterworth Fellows Locke IN Eardley Sherriff OUT Locke (omitted) Butterworth (omitted) Injury List: Round 10 Narrm Gab Colvin (concussion) test Paxy Paxman (foot) TBC Grace Beasley (ACL) season Tayla Harris (shoulder) season Jacinta Hose (ACL) inactive Aimee Mackin (ACL) inactive Hawthorn Greta Bodey (toe) 1 week Kristy Stratton (ankle) 1-2 weeks Emily Everist (illness) TBC Laura Stone (ankle) TBC

The rejuvenated Demons out tussled the Tigers by 13 points to make it four wins on the trot on Saturday which means that the slight possibility of a finals appearance remains alive in 2024. This is despite the AFLW handicapping the Demons against their peers yet again (more later). Lots to celebrate as it was Kids Day at Casey Fields and both teams ran onto the ground modelling their Pride jumpers. Kate Hore won the toss and kicked to the Clyde end. Thankfully, the notorious Casey gusty wind was not much of a factor during the match. As expected, the top four aspirant Richmond started fiercely and kicked the first goal but Alyssa Bannan responded with a fine snap to open the Demons account. A minute later, a lace-out pass from Kate Hore to Georgia Gall allowed the emerging young tall to give the Dees the lead. Richmond’s captain and key marking forward Katie Brennan injured her ankle and was taken out of the game. Gun-mid Ellie McKenzie kicked a spectacular run and bounce ‘goal of the year’ contender. Bannan then responded once again with a super snap under heavy pressure. Melbourne’s ferocity amped up from the second quarter onwards. Mick Stinear would later comment that once we started sticking our tackles and getting the ball outside to runners we got on top. The Demons dominated for a long period of the match kicking 6 unanswered goals. When leading by 33 points at the 11-minute mark of the last quarter, our bodies began to tire and Caitlin Greiser kicked 3 late Richmond goals which helped window dress their final losing margin. Stats-wise it was fairly even on the day. Both teams had 234 disposals with Melbourne having more kicks and made the most of its scoring chances. A high work-rate was demonstrated by laying 87 tackles to 66. Loz Pearce was a welcome return and and together with Rhi Watt they won the hit outs 44 to 24. Richmond’s dynamic midfield team won the centre clearances 9 to 5 but our group matched them in intensity. Superstar Mon Conti’s usual elite output was scratchy at times due to the close attention of Shelley Heath who laid a match-high 14 tackles. Awesome Foursome The story of the day was our fan-favourite forward Alyssa Bannan with her awesome four goals. Mick Stinear praised Banno today. He said she was dangerous in the air, at ground level, and created many chances for others. Banno is having a purple patch with 8 goals in her last 4 games. Notably her 4th goal was her 50th goal in AFLW. Congratulations Banno! Death-riding scenarios To have any chance of making finals, Melbourne needs to win its last two games to finish with 28 points, the minimum threshold required to secure a top eight berth. If any team currently sitting in positions 5-8 finishes on 28 points or more, the Dees will miss finals due to our lowly percentage caused by the Kangas and Bombers smashings. Fremantle and Port Adelaide will almost certainly finish above us. That leaves us fans death-riding Essendon on 20 points (who must lose 2 games against either Kangas, Richmond, or Carlton) or Richmond on 24 points (lose both Bombers and Hawks games). If Essendon beat both Richmond and Carlton and then Richmond beat Hawthorn, it’s sayonara Season 2024. Unjust fixture handicaps the Dees (yet again). Unbelievably, the AFLW has given last year’s premiers the softest draw of all the top teams. Brisbane only plays 2 top 8 teams this year Melbourne plays 7 top 8 teams, just not Port Adelaide. The competing ladder cohort of Port, Freo Essendon and Hawthorn have had comparatively softer draws than the Dees. It is not a level playing field and there is no allowance for fixture difficulty. For the Dees The coach was happy. Kate Hore and Tyla Hanks continue to lead with distinction. Superhero Liv Purcell, donning her stunning black face mask,was industrious again alongside the ‘blanketeer’ Shelley Heath. Eliza McNamara was not as busy as last week but a fine contributor once again. It was good to see Blaithin Mackin returning from calf injury, and she will be better for the run. Our defensive group has really grown in the back half of the season. Their grit, physical pressure and springboarding has inspired. Gillard would have been pleased with her game, Chaplin, Goldie, Lampy, and Denby T too. The new Taylor,Saraid, made a fine debut in defence. Special mention to Georgia Gall for providing marking options leading up the ground and gaining the confidence of her teammates. Her 2 goals, a great reward. Coaches and next week Melbourne Coach Mick Stinear and his coaching team were really pleased with the victory. He praised his team’s ability to compete in the contest game and keep turning up all game. He commented that Richmond’s big-bodied mids McKenzie and Sheerin really tested us. After quarter time we wore the Tigers down and put on scoreboard pressure which set up thegreat win. There was no Ryan Ferguson (Richmond Coach) press conference video available. Next week is Indigenous Round. The Demons next play Hawthorn at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on Thursday night. Richmond play Essendon at TIO Stadium in Darwin on Saturday. Go Dees. MELBOURNE 3.1.19 4.1.25 5.3.33 8.3.51 RICHMOND 2.1.13 2.2.14 2.5.17 5.8.38 GOALS MELBOURNE Bannan 4 Gall 2 Hanks Zanker RICHMOND Greiser 3 McKenzie Sheerin BEST MELBOURNE Bannan Purcell Hore Zanker Gall RICHMOND Sheerin Conti McKenzie Greiser Kelly INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil RICHMOND Brennan (ankle) REPORTS MELBOURNE Nil RICHMOND Nil CROWD 2,026 at Casey Fields

We’re back! Winning the last three matches has recaptured our Demon spirit and, with superstar players returning from rehab, our Season 2024 dreams are not over yet. So come along 5.05 pm Saturday afternoon to watch this Round 9 ladder-defining match at the Field of Dreams. Expect the Tigers to be fierce, but surely the Demons will be more fierce. Playing conditions are expected to be a dry 15 degrees with a typically gusty Cranbourne wind. The media opprobrium of the ill-considered AFLW draw was in full swing this week. Unbelievably Melbourne plays their 4th game in 17 days while Richmond plays their 4th game in 21 days. Eden Zanker commented after her impressive return from injury last week that she felt much fresher than her poor old teammates. Oddly, having a large cohort of stars returning from rehab advantages Melbourne by cushioning player exhaustion caused by the AFLW fixture. Pleasingly, our injury list continues to dissipate with first-ruck Lauren Pearce and Irish star Blaithin Mackin returning this week. Looking at the current ladder and remaining 3 rounds of the fixture, 7 wins will likely get you into finals. The Dees play Richmond, Hawthorn and Collingwood and must win all three games. Richmond FC, coached by ex-Demon Ryan Ferguson, have been terrific this year with 6 wins and 2 losses. With Melbourne, Essendon and Hawthorn in their final three rounds, they will have to win at least one game to stay in the eight. 2020 AFLW number one draft pick Ellie McKenzie is having her best season and is 9th in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year. Her sublime left foot kicking skills complements their best player Monique Conti (currently 5th in coaches award votes) and together with Grace Egan, Eilish Sheerin and ruck Poppy Kelly they form a formidable engine room. A huge challenge for our midfield group this week. Captain Katie Brennan, Caitlin Greiser and Emelia Yassir are dangerous goalkicking forwards and the Tiges have good overhead marks across the ground. The bookies prefer Richmond ($1.66) but Meggs is quietly optimistic we can be much more fierce on Saturday. Selection this week Rhi Watt has been more than reliable as the number one ruck but with Lauren Pearce now fully fit, she will take a back seat to the club’s leading tall. Blaithin Mackin would be an automatic return to the midfield so Hill and Pisano will sit this one out along with Paxy who is being managed and gets to rest. Colvin is still recovering from concussion; Saraid Taylor gets her opportunity to debut ahead of young speedsterJemma Rigoni. Meggs’ view Richmond defeated Geelong last week by matching the physical intent, winning contests and using long kicks to aerial strengths, Brennan and Greiser. Supercoach Mick Stinear has revived the team’s season, and his group of talented Demons possess more than enough countermeasures to win on Saturday: • Tyla Hanks and Kate Hore, who have led this season’s renaissance brilliantly. • Alyssa Bannan has some good form building and kicking goals. • Eliza McNamara, Megan Fitzsimon and Maeve Chaplin are in career-best form. • Young Georgia talls, Campbell and Gall, showing heaps of potential. • A bevy of freshened star players making a timely return from rehab. Keep the dream alive Dees! Melbourne by 2 points THE GAME Melbourne v Richmond Saturday 19 October 2024 at 5.05pm at Casey Fields – Wurundjeri/Boon Wurrung HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 2 wins Richmond 0 wins At Casey Fields Melbourne 1 win Richmond 0 wins The Coaches Stinear 2 wins Ferguson 0 wins MEDIA TV – Fox Footy, Kayo THE LAST TIME THEY MET - 2022 Season 6 Round 2 Melbourne 8.6 (54) defeated by Richmond 6.2 (38) at Punt Road, 14 January 2022 MELBOURNE 1.0 6.3 7.6 8.6 (54) RICHMOND 2.1 2.1 4.1 6.2 (38) Richmond applied lots of pressure early and were on top at quarter time. The pressure of Eliza West played a big part in wresting back control in the middle alongside her excellent teammates Tyla Hanks, Paxy Paxman and Lauren Pearce. Tayla Harris was brilliant, crashing packs, taking marks and kicked 2 goals. Melbourne survived the early scare to defeat the fierce Tigers by 16 points. GOALS MELBOURNE Bannan Harris Hore 2 Paxman D Pearce RICHMOND Brennan Lavey 2 Conti Dargan BEST MELBOURNE L Pearce Paxman Birch Hanks West RICHMOND Lavey Brennan Conti Seymour CROWD 1,517 at the Swinburne Centre THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B D Taylor Gillard HB Chaplin Lampard Goldrick C B Mackin Hanks McNamara HF Fitzsimon Mithen Zanker F Bannan Gall FOLL Pearce Hore Heath I/C Campbell Purcell S Taylor Watt Wotherspoon EMG Pisano E Johnson Rigoni IN B Mackin Pearce S Taylor OUT Hill (omitted) Paxman (managed) Pisano (omitted) RICHMOND B Seymour Miller HB Lynch Bacon Graham C Shevlin McKenzie Dempsey HF Dallaway Brennan Hosking F Greiser Yassir FOLL Kelly Sheerin Conti I/C Egan Ford Hicks Lavey McClelland EMG Ryan Woods Eastman IN McClelland Shevlin OUT Luke (shoulder) Ryan (omitted) Injury List: Round 9 MELBOURNE Lauren Pearce Wrist Test Blaithin Mackin Calf Test Gaby Colvin Concussion 1 week Grace Beasley ACL Season Tayla Harris Shoulder Season Jacinta Hose ACL Inactive Aimee Mackin ACL Inactive RICHMOND Maddie Shevlin Ankle Test Tamara Luke Shoulder TBC Montana McKinnon ACL Inactive Katelyn Cox Knee Inactive Shelby Knoll ACL Inactive Amelia Peck Knee Season

In this must-win clash between Melbourne 11th on the ladder and St Kilda 8th, it was the Demons who were in front all day to win in a hard-fought Round 8 clash to make it three in a row to keep theit slim finals chances alive. A good crowd of enthusiastic footy families for week 2 of Pride Round had gathered. The full pews in the well-appointed RSEA Park grandstand provided excellent viewing. The Saints won the toss and elected to kick to the southern end favoured by a strong 2-3 goal breeze. Melbourne started brilliantly against the wind with Hanks and Hore dominating clearances from the middle. The Demons early pressure created opportunities for goals via Alyssa Bannan and Georgia Campbell. One of the welcome returning soldiers, Eden Zanker, then made it 3 goals to nil. In the second quarter St Kilda amped up their pressure and getting on top and causing the Demons into turnovers. Superstar full forward Jessie Wardlaw kicked 2 second quarter goals making Tahlia Gillard nervous. From here to the end was a really a tightly fought battle and the Saints got to within 2 points during the 3rd quarter. The Demons had many contributors and were able to hang tough for a well-earned 14-point win. Players were visibly tired in the last quarter having played 3 matches in 11 days. The scheduling by the AFL of 11 matches in 10 weeks has been widely criticised. Note to the AFL: do not repeat this fixture. For the Dees Tyla Hanks (8 coaches votes) and Kate Hore (8 votes) led from the middle and were sensational all day. Hanksy had 22 disposals and 12 clearances while Kate had 21 possessions and 11 tackles. Eliza McNamara (6 votes) had a PB 31 possessions. Mick Stinear later highlighted her growth this year and particularly her contest work. Liv Purcell really made an impression in her first game of Season 2024. Dressed up like a superhero in a custom-fitted face mask, Liv was her typically fearless self. With 15 possessions, 4 tackles and a goal it was an impressive return. The other injury returns settled well with Paxy busy and Eden Zanker kicking 2 goals. The dangerous Saint mid Jaimee Lambert had won 10 coaches votes in her previous game. Heathy was moved to her at start the second quarter and Lambert just 2 disposals by half-time. Sinead Goldrick earned 8 coaches votes for her sublime match versus Adelaide 4 days earlier and Goldie backed it up with another solid game on Sunday. Special mention to Megan Fitzsimon who smashed her personal record for total disposals by having 19 against the Saints. Her previous best was 15 in last year’s Qualifying Final. Fitzy is having a great season. Coaches and next week Melbourne Coach Mick Stinear said his team has let go of expectations for this season and they just want to play good footy together. He praised the leadership of Kate Hore and Tyla Hanks over the past few weeks. The three players returning from injury played with intensity which was really pleasing. Encouragingly he said Lauren Pearce and Blaithin Mackin are not far away either. Nick Dal Santo felt Melbourne won the clearances and contested possessions which was probably the difference. The Demons next play Richmond at Casey Fields on Saturday and then Hawthorn in Cairns the following Thursday. Two more really tough matches coming up against teams currently sitting in the eight. Our draw has been ridiculously hard. Go Dees. MELBOURNE 2.0.12 4.2.26 5.4.34 6.8.44 ST KILDA 0.0.0 2.0.12 4.0.24 5.0.30 GOALS MELBOURNE Zanker 2 Bannan Campbell Goldrick Purcell 
ST KILDA Wardlaw 3 Guttridge Richards BEST MELBOURNE Hanks McNamara Hore Purcell Zanker ST KILDA Wardlaw Watson Trudgeon Smith Jakobsson
 INJURIES 
MELBOURNE Nil ST KILDA Nil REPORTS 
MELBOURNE Nil ST KILDA Nil CROWD 3,073 at RSEA Park

The injury plague which has beset the Demons 2024 campaign is finally starting to dissipate and with consecutive wins over GWS Giants and a 2-point nail-biter in Adelade, a sense of optimism is rising. Some commentators are now asking whether the Dees can make finals? A huge surprise with team selection this week when it was announced that champs Olivia Purcell, Paxy Paxman and Eden Zanker would play. Hallelujah! The cavalry has arrived. St Kilda missed the finals last season on percentage and are currently sitting in eighth position with 4 wins. They defeated the struggling GWS last week but had previously lost three matches in a row, to Adelaide, Fremantle and Hawthorn. Melbourne sits eleventh with 3 wins, but our percentage is a lowly 60.6% largely thanks to shellackings by North and Essendon. Both teams have short breaks between games, with St Kilda 5 days and Melbourne 4 days. The form guide suggests we are a strong chance this week, but Meggs expects it will be a slog. Selection this week Purcell’s return adds her fearsome ball-winning superpowers to the midfield group, Zanker will strengthen the marking and goalscoring options of our forwards and Paxman will hopefully have her foot in fine fettle for this comeback. Paxy’s ball usage and rebounding from defence will be a boost to Chaplin, Goldrick and Gillard. Gaby Colvin suffered concussion last week and misses while D’Arcy and Johnson have been omitted. The Saints bring back experienced midfielder Olivia Vesely and journeywoman Rene Caris. They replace Maddie Boyd (omitted) and Emmelie Fiedler (managed). Meggs’ view Expecting the Saints to make it a tough and physical game. They have plenty of talented experienced and young players who could undo our gameplan if we turn up unprepared. St Kilda has the dangerous Jesse Wardlaw, the ex-Brisbane full forward, hard nut mids Jaimee Lambert and Tyanna Smith and their vice-captain is ex-Dee Bianca Jakobsson. The vibe emanating from our beloved Demons appears to be building and the possibilities for this season likely hinge on having a win this Sunday. Keep winning and go Dees! Melbourne by 12 points THE GAME Round 8: Melbourne v St Kilda Sunday 13 October 2024 at 3:05pm (Melbourne time) Moorabbin Oval, Melbourne – Kulin Nations HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 4 wins St Kilda 1 win At Moorabbin Oval Melbourne 1 win St Kilda 1 win The Coaches Stinear 2 wins Dal Santo 0 wins MEDIA TV – 7mate, Fox Footy, Kayo. THE LAST TIME THEY MET - 2022 Season 7 Round 3 Melbourne 6.10 (46) defeated St Kilda 3.2 (20) at Moorabbin Oval, 11 September 2022 MELBOURNE 6.1 6.3 6.7 6.10 (46) ST KILDA 0.0 1.1 2.1 3.2 (20) GOALS MELBOURNE Zanker 2, Bannan, Fitzsimon, Hore, Paxman ST KILDA Shierlaw 2, Matin BEST MELBOURNE Purcell, West, Hanks, Mithen ST KILDA Jakobsson, Patrikios, Vesely, McKinnon CROWD 2,758 at Moorabbin Oval The Dees wrapped up this game in the first quarter, smashing the Saints with 6 unanswered goals. Liv Purcell was best on ground with 27 possessions and Eden Zanker lively up forward with 2 goals. Melbourne started with a 3-0 record in what would become its maiden premiership year. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B D Taylor Gillard HB Chaplin Heath Goldrick C Lampard Hanks McNamara HF Zanker Mithen Pisano F Bannan Campbell FOLL Watt Purcell Hore I/C Fitzsimon Gall Hill Paxman Wotherspoon EMG Johnson Rigoni S Taylor IN Paxman Purcell Zanker OUT Colvin (concussion) D'Arcy (omitted) Johnson (omitted) ST KILDA B Stevens Watson HB Priest Trudgeon Jakobsson C McDonald Lambert Guttridge HF Kelly Wardlaw Anderson F Friend Richards FOLL Nalder Simpson Smith I/C Burke Caris Plane Vesely Whiley EMG Boyd Fiedler Stuart IN Caris Vesely OUT Fiedler (managed) Boyd (omitted) Injury List: Round 8 Melbourne Gaby Colvin Concussion 1 week Lauren Pearce Wrist 1 week Blaithin Mackin Calf 1-2 weeks Grace Beasley ACL Season Tayla Harris Shoulder Season Jacinta Hose ACL Season Aimee Mackin ACL Season St Kilda Nicola Xenos Heel 2 weeks Rebecca Ott Tibia 4-5 weeks Georgia Patrikios Foot 5-6 weeks Caitlin Matthews Knee 6 weeks Steph Chiocci ACL 8 weeks Beth Pinchin Knee Season

On a perfect night for football at the home of the Redlegs, Norwood Oval, it was the visiting underdogs Melbourne who led all night and hung on to prevail in a 2-point nail-biter. In the previous round St Kilda had made it a tough physical game to help restrict Adelaide from scoring and so Mick Stinear set a similar strategy for his team. To win it would require every player to do their bit on the field plus a little bit of luck. Fifty game milestoner Sinead Goldrick epitomised the required effort on the night with her 19 disposals, 6 tackles and 97% game time. Goldie showed her true mettle with her spirit and resilience inspiring. Some commented later that the low scoring made it a boring game, but Meggs does not agree. It was an uncomfortable watch, but this was an engrossing battle all night against a competition heavyweight. Melbourne has the highest AFLW score in history of 107-points and with only 16-points on Wednesday the equal lowest winning score in history (need to fact check this). Afterwards Mick Stinear was so proud of his team. It was reward for effort, snatching the 4-points and celebrating Kate Hore and Sinead Goldrick in their milestone match. It also opens up finals possibilities for the balance of the season but we play three teams are above us on the ladder who will start favourites. Let’s not mozz it, one week at a time. For the Dees A whole team effort. Tyla Hanks and Kate Hore were sensational around the ball and really led the way. Hanksy was BOG with 24 disposals, 7 tackles and 380 metres gained. Eliza McNamara, showing amazing courage to return from her broken nose to continue her brilliant season. Fitzy, Lampy and Heathy were busy all night. Georgia Campbell showed us she can take a great mark and played her best game in the red and blue. Georgia Gall also competed really well in an encouraging display, a confidence builder for her. Adelaide won the disposal count, inside 50’s, hit-outs, clearances, and marks so our defence was under the pump a lot. Tahlia Gillard kept the in-form Caitlin Gould to zero goals and Maeve Chaplin continued her stellar season quelling the dangerous Danielle Ponter. Special mention to Denby Taylor who has found a place in defence with her 14 disposals and 10 tackles and is improving each week. Lastly, Alyssa Bannan has worn criticism for her lack of impact against competition’s heavyweights such as Adelaide. Banno wore one for the team across her face with hardnut Chelsea Randall copping a $400 fine. Alyssa was a strong target all night and this new simplified game plan seems to suit her and the team. Tackle of the Match The Melbourne players landed 82 tackles on Wednesday night and in his team debrief Mick Stinear called out an important one. That was Eliza Mac’s bone-cruncher at the death in the last quarter when Chelsea Randall was threatening to steal the match. Meggs also loved Sinead Goldrick’s chase down tackle of Zoe Prowse where she came out of nowhere in the third. Goldie Heavy Mettle! Coaches and next week Melbourne Coach Mick Stinear reminded everyone how hard it is to win games in Adelaide and was so proud of his team’s 4-quarter team-first effort. He paid pay tribute to milestoners Kate and Sinead. Matthew Clarke credited Melbourne’s pressure. He said Adelaide’s effort was there, but the execution was shabby. The Demons next play St Kilda at Moorabbin on Sunday and then have Richmond at Casey Fields and Hawthorn in Cairns. Three really tough matches coming up against teams currently sitting in the eight. Go Redlegs! MELBOURNE 2.1.13 2.2.14 2.3.15 2.4.16 ADELAIDE 0.1.1 0.5.5 1.5.11 1.8.14 GOALS MELBOURNE Bannan Campbell ADELAIDE Newman BEST MELBOURNE Hanks Hore Goldrick McNamara ADELAIDE Marinoff Randall Hatchard Newman INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil ADELAIDE Nil CROWD 2,586 at Norwood Oval

Hump day mid-week footy at the Redlegs home ground is a great opportunity to build on our recent improved competitiveness playing in the red and blue. The jumper has a few other colours this week with the rainbow Pride flag flying this round to celebrate people from all walks of life coming together, being accepted. AFLW has been a benchmark when it comes to inclusivity and a safe workplace. The team will run out in a specially designed guernsey for this game and also the following week against St Kilda. Despite having a 100% winning record at Norwood (hmmm, only the one game), we are longshots with the bookies this week. However, Kate Hore and Tyla Hanks led brilliantly last week from the centre square alongside Heathy, Mitho and Fitzy. Let’s hope the team can back it up to celebrate Kate’s 75th game! Maeve Chaplin is having a stellar season (Libby who?), and 50-game milestoner Sinead Goldrick has been energised all year and are two key components of the new-look Demon defence. While the Dees were really encouraging last week, we should note that GWS, our opposition, was one of the least experienced teams in this year’s competition. This week’s challenger Adelaide is a heavyweight of the competition and will surely be wanting to make a statement for their home crowd. Selection this week Just one change with the indefatigable Eliza McNamara in and debutant defender Delany Madigan omitted. Experienced top-up player Sarah D’Arcy keeps her spot. Meggs was enthused by her work against GWS. Demon emergencies this week are Madigan, Jemma Rigoni and Saraid Taylor. The Crows have lost 3 players to injury: Teah Charlton,Hannah Munyard, and Abbie Ballard Lily Tarlinton will make her AFLW debut in their absence, while both Taylah Levy and Rachelle Martin have been recalled after being managed last week. Meggs’ view Eliza McNamara, who looks like she’s preparing early for Halloween with those black eyes, is a welcome return on the wing. Adelaide’s Niamh Kelly is a real danger for the Dees. In the last game against the Crows, St Kilda threw players behind the ball to help restrict Adelaide from scoring and making it a tough physical game. This worked to a point, but it meant that the Saints weren’t able engage in run and carry to counterattack. But it was only a 4-point margin in the end. Our scoring will likely rely on Alyssa Bannan and Alyssia Pisano getting busy again. At the other end Tahlia Gillard will need to be on her A-game as dangerous tall forward Caitlin Gould has kicked 7 goals in her last 4 games. The midfield battle and centre clearances usually determine results, and Adelaide has strong experienced bodies in Anne Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff to name two. Wednesday evening will be a huge test for the Dees. Hopefully we can surprise on the upside with a competitive performance but allow for the fact we have a long list of high-quality players unavailable. Go Dees! Adelaide by 24 points THE GAME Round 7: Melbourne v Adelaide Wednesday 9 October 2024 at 7:45pm (Melbourne time) Norwood Oval, Adelaide - Kaurna HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 5 wins Adelaide 5 wins At Norwood Oval Melbourne 1 win Adelaide 0 wins The Coaches Stinear 5 wins Clarke 5 wins MEDIA TV – 7mate, Fox Footy, Kayo. Radio - WARF Radio THE LAST TIME THEY MET - 2023 Round 6 Adelaide 8.8.56 defeated Melbourne 7.4.46 at Casey Fields, 7 October 2023 MELBOURNE 2.4.16 2.4.16 3.4.22 7.4.46 ADELAIDE 0.0.0 2.4.16 6.5.41 8.8.56 GOALS
 MELBOURNE Zanker 5 McNamara 2
 ADELAIDE Hatchard Marinoff Ponter 2, Gould Jones BEST MELBOURNE Zanker Gay Goldrick Hanks Hore McNamara
 ADELAIDE Marinoff Hatchard Kelly Allan Randall CROWD 1,975 at Casey Fields Scores were level at half-time but a third quarter domination by Adelaide rattled the Dees. Midfield beasts Hatchard and Marinoff led the way as the Crows kicked 6 unanswered goals. Deep in the third quarter and against the run of play, Eliza McNamara kicked a desperately needed running goal to halt the momentum. Melbourne fights back to within 3 points in the last quarter with Zanker on fire but Caitlin Gould goals and we fall short by 10 points. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B Colvin Gillard HB Chaplin D. Taylor Goldrick C Lampard Hanks McNamara HF Gall Mithen Pisano F Bannan Campbell FOLL Watt Hore Heath I/C D'Arcy Fitzsimon Hill Johnson Wotherspoon EMG Madigan Rigoni S Taylor IN McNamara OUT Madigan (omitted) ADELAIDE B Prowse Randall HB Mueller Allan Goodwin C Kelly Hatchard Thompson HF Levy Gould Martin F Biddell Ponter FOLL Allan Marinoff Newman I/C Boileau Boyle-Carr Kustermann Tarlinton Varnhagen EMG Henry Tonon Waterhouse IN Levy Martin Tarlinton OUT Ballard (knee) Charlton (adductor) Munyard (foot) Injury List: Round 7 Melbourne Saraid Taylor Calf Test Paxy Paxman Foot 1 week Olivia Purcell Face 2-3 weeks Lauren Pearce Wrist 3 weeks Blaithin Mackin Calf 3 weeks Eden Zanker Knee TBC Grace Beasley ACL Season Tayla Harris Shoulder Season Jacinta Hose ACL Season Aimee Mackin ACL Season Adelaide Najwa Allen Hamstring 1-2 weeks Abbie Ballard Knee 1 week Teah Charlton Adductor 1 week Hannah Munyard Foot 1 week Brooke Smith Collarbone 7-9 weeks Eloise Jones Achilles Season

It was such a balmy spring evening for this mid-week BNCA Pink Lady match at our favourite venue Ikon Park between two teams that had not won a game since round one. After last week’s insipid bombing, the DeeArmy banner correctly deemanded that our players ‘go in hard, go in strong, go in fighting’, and girl they sure did! The first quarter goals by Alyssa Bannan and Alyssia Pisano were simply stunning, and it was 4 goals to nil by half-time. Kudos to Mick Stinear. With player confidence at the lowest point in his decorated coaching career, Mick reset the game plan during the week. “Simplifying it”, he said. On match day his reenergised troops enthusiastically carried it out with tremendous effort and brought back that Demon-stylewe love to watch. Led by Alyce Parker and Bec Beeson, GWS came back in the third to make it a 3-goal difference at ¾ time. Meggs began nervously pacing the wing, trying to put the ghost of the Freo comeback out of mind. At the ground you could see our debutants tiring in the last. But when Fitzy snapped that ripper goal, the collective relief and pleasure from Demon supporters was palpable. With Pisano, Johnson, Taylor, Madigan, and D’Arcy in the circle for their first win, the players joyous sounding rendition of Grand Old Flag filled the stadium. Smiles all around. The 16-point win in the context of this season is a timely ReDeemption. For the Dees Shouldering the burden this season has been skewed to a handful of senior players but this week the team brought a collective effort which resulted in the win. The midfield worked well led by Kate Hore and Tyla Hanks, working alongside Heathy, and Fitzy. With Bannan deepest, the forwards Gall, Campbell, and D’Arcy led to the ball much better this week. Maeve Chaplin (team-high 5 marks) and Sinead Goldrick were impenetrable in defence, and both had over 400 metres gained. Chappy has found a whole new level this year, our most improved. Apart from the stellar efforts by Kate Hore, Hanksy, Chappy, and Goldy, Meggs wanted to call out the contribution of a couple of lesser lights. Rhi Watt who, with 21 hitouts and 6 clearances, had her best game in the red and blue. Seasoned campaigner, top-up Dee Sarah D’Arcy, and a relative of Tiger legend Jack Titus, impressed with her fearless leading and attack on the ball. A great in-game example to youngsters Gall and Campbell. Megan Fitzsimon has modest career possessions, but you want the ball in her hand as she is skillful and a good user. A match-high 9 tackles, 13 possessions and a goal, was a super contribution by Fitzy. Her best game for some time. Denby Taylor has speed, good skills and likes to tackle and would be pleasing the coaches. Coaches and next week Melbourne Coach Mick Stinear said Kate Hore and Tyla Hanks led from the front after a shaky start to the season. He was really proud of them. He loved how his group was able to execute a simpler game plan and compete for large portions of the match. It was great for all the debutants to secure a win and be part of that winning feeling. GWS Giants coach was disappointed with the result but rued their inability to execute in moments. An AFLW season goes by so quickly, and they have lost a few close games, including tonight. Zero goals to 4 at half-time and they gave away 27 free kicks. He claimed his GWS team was one of the youngest, least experienced sides in the competition and so it is all part of the journey. The Demons play perennial heavyweight Adelaide at Norwood Oval next Wednesday evening. A tough challenge away but we do have 100%-win record at this ground 😉. C’mon Dees. MELBOURNE 2.3.15 4.3.27 5.5.35 6.5.41 GWS GIANTS 0.4.4 0.5.5 2.5.17 3.7.25 GOALS MELBOURNE Bannan 2 Fitzsimon Gall Lampard Pisano GWS GIANTS Mowbray 2 Goldsworthy BEST MELBOURNE Hore Hanks Bannan Chaplin Fitzsimon GWS GIANTS Goldsworthy Parker Beeson Mowbray Evans INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil GWS GIANTS Nil VENUE 1,264 at Ikon Park

How will Mick Stinear and his dwindling list of fit and available Demons respond to last week’s 65-point capitulation to the Bombers, the team’s biggest loss in history? As a minimum he will expect genuine effort from all of his players when Melbourne takes on the GWS Giants at Ikon Park this Thursday. Happily, the ground remains a favourite Melbourne venue of players and spectators alike and will provide an opportunity for the Demons to redeem themselves. Injuries to star players such as Liv Purcell, Tayla Harris, Lauren Pearce, the Mackin sisters, and last year’s leading goal scorer, Eden Zanker are impacting performance through lack of connection and on-field leadership. The Demons have trialled nearly all of its draftees and train-on players, but the experience drain is proving catastrophic. Including practice matches we have lost 9 of the past 10 games. Difficult end of season discussions around Mick’s coaching contract and the Melbourne playing list composition lies ahead. The Demons have just one win and a percentage of 47.9% and sit 16th on the ladder. GWS by comparison has one win and one draw with a percentage of 113.2%. Unlike the Demons, GWS has been competitive in most games. GWS, with better form and only a couple of long-term injuries, will start favourites this week. Selection this week The already season-destroying injury list has grown again this week. Paxy’s foot was visibly impacting her running at Windy Hill and will miss a week. Indefatigable winger Eliza McNamara wore an errant elbow against the Bombers which broke her schnoz and will also miss one week. Another diminutive warrior Shelley Heath busted her shoulder but is remarkably listed as a test. Gee Shell is tough. Speedster Jemma Rigoni is available and will not surprise if the Number 43 debuts this week given Lize’s unavailability. Sarah D’Arcy and Sophie Casey from VFLW were listed as emergencies last week. Meggs’ view We will miss MacNamara this week, she has been outstanding all year. Lize, B Mackin, Goldrick, Hore, Hanks, Paxy, and Chaplin have been consistently listed in our best players in matches this year. The sense being there is not enough contribution from the balance of players helping out. GWS has seasoned midfielders in Alyce Parker, Alicia Eva and Bec Beeson. Georgia Garnett and Zarlie Goldsworthy are dangerous forwards, while Tarni Evans kicked 3 goals for them last week. They will keep our defenders busy. Ex Dee and strong defender Kat Smith is the GWS Giants vice-captain and might run around chasing Alyssia Pisano. If enough Demon teammates step up, share the burden, win the contests and execute skills under pressure, we could win this and redeem ourselves. Go Dees! Melbourne by 3 points THE GAME Round 6: Melbourne v GWS Giants Thursday 3 October 2024 at 7:15pm (Melbourne time) Ikon Park, Melbourne - Wurundjeri HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 5 wins GWS 1 win At IKON Park Melbourne 0 wins GWS 0 wins The Coaches Stinear 2 wins Bernasconi 0 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Footy, Kayo. Mobile – AFL Live Official App THE LAST TIME THEY MET - 2023 Round 2 Melbourne 15.9 (99) defeated GWS Giants 3.4 (22) at Manuka Oval, 10 September 2023 MELBOURNE 4.1 7.5 8.7 15.9 (99) GWS GIANTS 2.1 2.1 3.3 3.4 (22) Melbourne kicked the 3rd highest score in AFLW history to romp home against Greater Western Sydney (GWS) in Canberra by 77 points. Giant Killer, Captain Kate Hore was awesome with 23 disposals, 420 metres gained, 6 tackles and 5 goals 2 behinds. Coach Mick Stinear praised the versatility of the Melbourne playing group. The GWS coach was disappointed that the Dees slammed on 7 last quarter goals, creating a ‘sour ending’ to the night for his team. He felt GWS was in the game at ¾ time. Wishful thinking Cam. GOALS MELBOURNE Hore 5, Bannan 3, Purcell 2, Lampard 2, Zanker, Mackin, Mithen GWS GIANTS Garnett, Doyle, Eva BEST 
MELBOURNE Hore, Lampard, Hanks, Pearce, Purcell GWS GIANTS Barr, Eva, Evans, Parker, Beeson INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil GWS GIANTS Nil CROWD 2,028 at Manuka Oval THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B Colvin Gillard HB Goldrick Chaplin Taylor C Lampard Hore Johnson HF Gall Mithen Pisano F Bannan Campbell FOLL Watt Hanks Heath I/C D'Arcy Fitzsimon Hill Madigan Wotherspoon EMG Casey Lin Rigoni 

IN D'Arcy Madigan OUT McNamara (nose) Paxman (foot) GWS GIANTS B Randall Smith HB Ransom Huntington Pease C Srhoj Eva Brazendale HF Evans Garnett Zreika F Goldsworthy Mowbray FOLL O'Dowd Beeson Parker I/C Bradfield Davies Doyle Gaffney Grierson EMG Miller Murphy Ramsdale IN Gaffney OUT Newman (knee) Injury List: Round 6 Melbourne Shelley Heath — Shoulder Test Saraid Taylor — Calf Test Eliza McNamara — Nose 1 week Paxy Paxman — Foot 1 week Olivia Purcell — Face 2-3 weeks Lauren Pearce — Wrist 3 weeks Blaithin Mackin — Calf 3 weeks Eden Zanker — Knee TBC Grace Beasley — ACL Season Tayla Harris — Shoulder Season Jacinta Hose — ACL Season Aimee Mackin — ACL Season GWS Giants Aliesha Newman — Knee 2-3 weeks Indigo Linde — Calf 3 weeks Cambridge McCormick — Ankle 4-6 weeks Nicola Barr — Hamstring Season Chloe Dalton — Back Season Daisy Walker — Knee Season

A beautiful sunny Friday afternoon, with a light breeze and a strong Windy Hill crowd set the scene, inviting one team to seize the day and take the important four points on offer. For the Demons it was not a good Friday, easily beaten by an all-time largest losing margin of 65 points. Essendon threw themselves into action today, winning most of the contests and had three early goals with Daria Bannister on fire. In contrast the Demons were dropping marks, hesitant in close and committing elementary skill errors due to the Bombers real and perceived pressure. The effort and skill execution by the Demons was poor today. Essendon monstered Melbourne at the contest, winning the ball far too easily. Our defence was shambolic at times. Mick Stinear later commented that our inability to launch meaningful counterattacks was very frustrating. We had only one mark in our forward-50 for the day. Bomber Maddy Prespakis, who wore a Heater tag, was clearly best on ground with 32 disposals and 7 clearances. She had plenty of support from Georgia Nanscawen, Steph Cain and ex Dee Maddie Gay, while Bannister snagged 4 goals. Crushing result! For the Dees There will be no Demon players in any votes this week, but special mentions must go to Maeve Chaplin and Tyla Hanks who toiled hard all afternoon. Also, Ryleigh Wotherspoon snapped a nice goal in the second quarter. Her first in AFLW but sadly the Demons only goal of the day. Fresh injuries to report with Shelley Heath down with a hurt shoulder that looked quite serious, while Eliza McNamara bravely came back on to the ground with a fractured nose. Was it kosher to risk her? Paxy’s played today but you could tell at the ground that her foot is still tender. Our injuries have given opportunities for almost everyone on the 2024 list to display their footy wares, but it appears that some are not ready yet to compete at this level. Only a handful of our players met the levels of hunger and physicality required today. The Coaching and leadership teams have to somehow turn it around with limited options available. Oops moment of the match To commence the second half, Goldie brilliantly wins the opening clearance and runs typically straight ahead, booting it 40 metres out of the centre. Unfortunately, no one had reminded her which end we were kicking so it sailed the wrong way into the Bombers forward line. Coaches and next week Melbourne Coach Mick Stinear was bitterly disappointed with his team’s effort and skill execution, which was not at the level required. The few new injuries hurt too. The Bombers were plus 40 in contested possessions. It just wasn’t good enough, he said. Essendon coach Natalie Wood said it was a stunning day and a great reward for her players and the vocal Bomber supporters who came along to the ground. She was really pleased with the consistent four quarter effort. The Demons play fellow-struggler GWS at Ikon Park this Thursday evening which, in theory, should be a chance to bounce back at our favourite venue. C’mon Demons, let’s turn it around. See ya there! MELBOURNE 1.1.7 1.1.7 1.1.7 1.1.7 ESSENDON 4.0.24 6.3.39 8.5.53 11.6.72 GOALS MELBOURNE Wotherspoon ESSENDON Bannister 4, Gamble 2, A. Clarke 2, Prespakis, Cain, Vogt BEST MELBOURNE Chaplin, Gillard, Goldrick, Hanks, Watt ESSENDON Prespakis, Bannister, Gee, G Clarke, Walker INJURIES MELBOURNE McNamara (nose), Heath (shoulder) ESSENDON Van De Heuvel (knee) REPORTS MELBOURNE Nil ESSENDON Nil CROWD 3,325 at Windy Hill

Last Saturday’s crushing loss to Fremantle, after being three goals ahead at three quarter time, should be motivation enough to bounce back for this very winnable Round 5 clash at Windy Hill. A first-time venue for the Melbourne AFLW team, this should be a familiar suburban, windy, footy environment for the players. Essendon were brave and competitive last week against ladder leader Adelaide at Sturt’s home ground. A familiar name, Maddison Gay, was the Bombers best player with a game-high 23 disposals showing off her intercepts and precise kicking. The only Bomber to earn a coaches vote in the 33-point defeat. Watching Essendon, they have a good midfield with another Madison, Prespakis, Georgia Nanscawen, Steph Cain and quick players such as ex Blue Georgia Gee and Sophie Van De Heuvel. Former Casey player Steph Wales is a developing mobile ruck but has only limited support. The Demons and Bombers have won only one game each this season and sit 14th and 15th on the ladder respectively. An understatement that Friday’s clash is a ‘must-win’ game for both teams. Selection this week The injury list expanded with additions of Grace Beasley (ACL), Eden Zanker (Knee) and Blaithin Mackin (Calf). Paxy Paxman and speedster Jemma Rigoni are listed a ‘test’so both could be available. The Club announced that ex Port Adelaide player Lily Johnson will debut for the red and blue. She has trained with the backs and looked promising in her preseason work. With limited options available expect anyone fit to be seriously considered for selection. Essendon has been missing their talisman captain Bonnie Toogood for several weeks but by comparison the Bombersare close to full strength. Meggs view Mick hinted that this season, the workload is not being shared effectively amongst his playing group. Eliza McNamara played her best game for the Dees last week and has been excellent all year, as has Sinead Goldrick. Together with Kate Hore they continue to work so hard to lift their team. Maeve Chaplin has been a real stalwart in defence and her attack, intercept marking and kicking have been highlights. Hanksy improved her output last week and Campbell is slowly grasping the number one ruck mantle. With Edo out, youngster Georgia Gall becomes our primary lead up forward holding out her dukes, with Alyssia Pisano buzzing around crumbing for goals. Wotherspoon is wasted at half forward. She is strong and battle-ready, give her some midfield rotations Mick. Essendon will be highly competitive on Friday, but Melbourne has aces such as Hore and Hanks. If enough Demon teammates step up, share the burden, win the contests and execute skills under pressure, we will win this. Melbourne to defuse the Bombers this week. Go Dees! Melbourne by 13 points THE GAME Round 5: Melbourne v Essendon Friday 27 September 2024 at 2:05pm (Melbourne time) Windy Hill, Melbourne - Wurundjeri HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 1 win Essendon 0 wins At Windy Hill Melbourne 0 wins Essendon 0 wins The Coaches Stinear 1 win Wood 0 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Footy, Kayo. Mobile – AFL Live Official App THE LAST TIME THEY MET - Season 7 Round 9 Melbourne 7.8 (50) defeated Essendon 1.3 (9) at Casey Fields, 23 October 2022 MELBOURNE 2.2 4.2 7.5 7.8 (50) ESSENDON 0.0 1.3 1.3 1.3 (9) With momentum building towards a Top 2 finish, the Demons’ superior skills, and 4-quarter effort produced a solid 41-point win in tricky windy conditions. Coach Mick Stinear was pleased with his team’s intensity and competitiveness. He praised defenders Shelley Heath, young key back Tahlia Gillard and the emerging defender Maeve Chaplin. Paxy led the way with a goal and 24 disposals (10 of which were contested), while Kate Hore kicked 3 goals and Alyssa Bannan kicked 2. GOALS MELBOURNE Hore 3, Bannan 2, Paxman, Zanker ESSENDON Phillips BEST MELBOURNE Paxman, Heath, Gillard, West, Hore ESSENDON Philips, Prespakis, Vogt, Marshall INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil ESSENDON Nil CROWD 1,518 at Casey Fields THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B Colvin Gillard HB Chaplin Heath Goldrick C McNamara Hanks Fitzsimon HF Gall Hore Wotherspoon F Bannan Pisano FOLL Campbell Mithen Lampard I/C Hill Johnson Paxman Taylor Watt EMG Casey D'Arcy Madigan IN Johnson Paxman OUT B Mackin (calf) Zanker (knee) ESSENDON B Clarke Van Loon HB Van De Heuvel Gamble Morcom C Keaney Prespakis Gaylor HF Bannister Gee Gay F Alexander Scott FOLL Wales Nanscawen Cain I/C Jacques Radford Vogt Walker EMG Dyke Williamson Adams NO CHANGE Injury List: Round 5 Melbourne Paxy Paxman Foot Test Jemma Rigoni Groin Test Saraid Taylor Calf 1 - 2 weeks Olivia Purcell Face 3 - 4 weeks Lauren Pearce Wrist 4 weeks Blaithin Mackin Calf 3 - 5 weeks Eden Zanker Knee TBC Grace Beasley ACL Season Tayla Harris Shoulder Season Jacinta Hose ACL Season Aimee Mackin ACL Season Essendon Emily Gough Calf 2 weeks Bonnie Toogood MCL 2-4 weeks Brooke Brown Calf 3 weeks

Fremantle hosted the Demons on a sunny 20-degree Saturdayafternoon winning the toss and electing to defend in the first quarter against the 3-goal breeze favouring the Parry Street end. There was method here, as this would give the comeback queens, the Dockers, last use of the breeze. The Melbourne Coach had promised an improved performance, and we did start better than previous weeks, winning the ball out of the middle, using the breeze advantage and connecting to the forwards. Hore, Bannan, Hanks and Zanker all kicked first quarter goals. McNamara, Goldrick, Hanks, Hore, and Chaplin were very busy as the Dees went into half time with a 14-point lead. Fremantle had to rearrange their forward structure as game-changer, Aine Tighe, innocuously hurt her knee and was taken out of the game. Potentially her third ACL injury. After halftime the Dockers really defended well led by pressures acts from Gaby O’Sullivan, Hayley Miller, and ruck Mim Strom and it was goal apiece during the third quarter. It was a thrilling final quarter with the game played almost exclusively in the Dockers half while our backs and midsdesperately defended. Kate Hore was thrown back as a spare and the indefatigable Eliza McNamara was everywhere. With 8 minutes left on the clock the Demons were still 3 goals up. Fremantle were piling on the pressure and the lead evaporated quickly following some defensive errors. With scores now level and three minutes remaining, the Dees fans yell ‘Blow the siren’. Into the last minute Hore errantly kicks out on the full. The ball comes straight back, and Kate tries to step past a Freo player, misses her kick and is pinged for holding the ball. The siren sounds and Aishling McCarthy kicks perfectly to win the match for Fremantle. For the Dees The injury curse continues for the Dees with promising cross-coder Grace Beasley doing her ACL at training during the week and Blaithin Mackin forced out of the game early with a calf injury. Former Geelong player, Denby Taylor, debuted promisingly with 6 disposals, a couple of bounces to show off her pace, and 3 tackles earning 2 free kicks. Eliza McNamara was outstanding, her best game in the Red and Blue. Goldie, Hanksy and Chappy were really solid on the day. Kate Hore tried hard to lift her team. Lily was quiet in her 75th game but showed her class as always. Eden Zanker, last year’s leading AFLW goalkicker, finally scored her first goal in 2024. Edo hurt her knee in the last quarter and hopefully is okay. It was always going to be a difficult assignment to win away with so many stars unavailable and young players still learning their craft. Moment of the match With scores level and Hayley Miller breaking past Chaplin streaming into goal, Gaby Colvin smashes into Miller just as she is about to kick a goal and earns a free. Sadly, it wasn’t to be a match saving act. Coaches and next week Melbourne Coach Mick Stinear was bitterly disappointed. His team came here to win and started well but the game slipped away in the second half. He was pleased his team won the contest, but they failed to find meaningful connections with the breeze in the third quarter. He singled out Lize McNamara who had an outstanding game,shouldering a high workload when Blaithin Mackin was ruled out early in the match. To win, he needs an equal contribution across the ground. Fremantle coach Lisa Webb says her team had belief coming home with the breeze in the final quarter. She praised Gaby O’Sullivan who brought tremendous pressure and Aisling McCarthy who kicked the winning goal. The Demons head to Windy Hill next Friday to take on the Bombers. With both teams sitting in the bottom eight of the ladder, it will be an important win for one of the teams. Go Dees! With the mounting injuries, how will the Demons field a full squad this week without replacements? MELBOURNE 4.0.24 5.1.31 6.5.41 6.5.41 FREMANTLE 1.1.7 2.5.17 3.5.23 7.5.47 GOALS MELBOURNE Bannan Gall Goldrick Hank Hore Zanker FREMANTLE O'Sullivan 3 Antonio Biedenweg-Webster McCarthy Miller BEST MELBOURNE McNamara Goldrick Hore Hanks Chaplin FREMANTLE O'Sullivan Miller Strom O'Driscoll Newton McCarthy INJURIES MELBOURNE B Mackin (calf) FREMANTLE Tighe (knee) LATE CHANGES MELBOURNE Grace Beasley (knee) replaced in selected side by Grace Hill FREMANTLE Nil CROWD 1,633 at Fremantle Oval

Calling all fit players. Expect every available Melbourne player to board the Virgin cross-continent flight to Perth for this Round 4 clash on Saturday afternoon at Fremantle Oval. It promises to be keenly contested, though Fremantle is the bookies clear favourite. If we lose, finals could be remoter than Rottnest Island especially following on from the Dees 50-point dismantlement by North Melbourne last Sunday. There are 8 remaining matches, over the next 7 weeks. To Meggs’s eye, Essendon, GWS, Richmond and Collingwood are winnable games. Adelaide, pencil in a loss. Fremantle, Hawthorn and St Kilda are much improved sides, and we are no certainties to win. Watching Fremantle’s impressive last quarter comeback against Port Adelaide at Alberton last week would have given Mick Stinear a few more grey hairs. His season already shaken to the core with some uncompetitive football, integrating inexperienced players and compounded by a spate of injuries. Paxy Paxman is the latest casualty with her foot. Fremantle has two wins, last week against Port and an impressive win at Windy Hill plus a big loss to Adelaide. Melbourne has one win, defeating Geelong (did you see the Cats were thrashed by Carlton last week), and those comprehensive defeats to last year’s grand finalists. Milestone Mitho This week is heart and soul warrior Lily Mithen’s 75th game. Her contributions on and off the field are inspirational. Podcaster, rover, MC, a leader, L’il is much loved by her teammates and the Demon faithful. A Geelong girl with a family link to Melbourne great Laurie Mithen, her grandfather’s cousin, Mitho has red and blue in her veins. She debuted in AFLW Season One and has only kicked 8 goals but 3 were in finals which count for more. If L’il marks or wins a free on Saturday, look for her to pass to her best buddy Kate. Selection this week Normally when a team is belted there are multiple selection changes. However, the Dees have only 4 players available: Ryleigh Wotherspoon, Lily Johnson, Delany Madigan, and Denby Taylor. The current playing list has 32 players, with 8 on the injury list and 20 players available from last week’s side. Mick will promote at least one player for Paxy. Denby Taylor or Lily Johnson could debut as they have been training with the defensive group as running players. If Aisling McCarthy passes her test, Fremantle will make at least one change. Not relevant to this game, but the North injury list has Libby Birch as a test on her rib. Meggs suggests it was Miss Hore with the bone crunching tackle in the forward pocket 😉. Meggs view While Goldie and Blaithin have been sensational for the Demons, Fremantle possess a few Irish weapons too. Aine Tighe, a tall athletic marking forward can be unstoppable. Aisling McCarthy is a hard-at-it athletic midfielder and winger Orlagh Lally was last week’s game-high possession winner. Mim Strom is a capable ruck and Hayley Miller, Dana East, Gab Newton and the Irish form a strong midfield group, more settled than the Demons. Our defence looked shaky again last week and will need to watch potential match winner Aine Tighe. Mick played young defensive tyro Tahlia Gillard in the ruck in the last quarter. He would like two Gillards and three Kate Hores. Other players need to step up this week. Calling on Alyssa Bannan and Eden Zanker, two incredibly talented players who have not delivered so far this year. Remember only last year Melbourne was breaking records for high scoring. Fremantle do not have the depth of talent of Brisbane or North. So, if the pressure meter is dialled down, some of our players will be able to better execute their skills. Can the Dees bounce back this week and do it for Mitho! Let’s hope so. Go Dees! Fremantle by 5 points THE GAME Round 4: Melbourne v Fremantle Saturday 21 September 2024 at 2:05pm (Melbourne time) Fremantle Oval, Perth - Whadjuk HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 6 wins Fremantle 2 wins At Fremantle Oval Melbourne 2 wins Fremantle 1 win The Coaches Stinear 1 win Webb 0 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Footy, Kayo. Mobile – AFL Live Official App THE LAST TIME THEY MET - Season 8 Round 9 Melbourne 8.13 (61) defeated Fremantle 4.4 (28) at Casey Fields, 28 October 2023 MELBOURNE 1.2 4.9 5.9 8.13 (61) FREMANTLE 1.3 2.3 3.4 4.4 (28) The wicked wind prevented the DeeArmy from hoisting Heathy’s 50 game banner but did not stop the Dees grinding out a hard fought 33-point win to keep the minor premiership chances alive. Leading goalkickers Kate Hore and Eden Zanker both had braces while the ubiquitous Paxy Paxman was BOG with 27 disposals. Busy too were Eliza Mac, Mitho, Liv P and Goldy. Meggs observed at the ground that Freo made the Dees look slow at times plus they were down a couple of soldiers on the day, namely Aine Tighe and Ebony Antonio who are back for this week. GOALS MELBOURNE Hore 2, Zanker 2, Hanks, Mackin, Paxman, West FREMANTLE Kauffman 3, Gibbs BEST MELBOURNE Paxman, West, McNamara, Fitzsimon, Mithen, Hore FREMANTLE Kauffman, Bowers, Stannett, East, Lally, Miller INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil FREMANTLE Flynn (back) REPORTS MELBOURNE Nil FREMANTLE Nil CROWD 1,650 at Casey Fields THE TEAMS FREMANTLE B Flynn O’Sullivan HB O'Driscoll Pugh Scanlon C Low Miller Lally HF Tighe Antonio Biedenweg-Webster F Brazill McCarthy FOLL Stron Newton East I/C Hetherington Kaufman Mulholland Runnall Verrier EMG Seth Tuhakaraina Mulder IN A McCarthy OUT Seth (omitted) MELBOURNE B Colvin Gillard HB Chaplin Heath Goldrick C McNamara Mithen B Mackin HF Fitzsimon Hore Bannan F Zanker Pisano FOLL Campbell Hanks Lampard I/C Beasley Gall Taylor Watt Wotherspoon EMG Hill Johnson Madigan IN Taylor Wotherspoon OUT Hill (omitted) Paxman (foot) Injury List: Round 4 MELBOURNE Paxy Paxman Foot 1-2 weeks Jemma Rigoni Groin 1-2 weeks Saraid Taylor Calf 2-3 weeks Lauren Pearce Wrist 6 weeks Olivia Purcell Face TBC Tayla Harris Shoulder Season Jacinta Hose ACL Season Aimee Mackin ACL Season FREMANTLE Aisling McCarthy Knee Test Tara Stribley Ankle 1-2 weeks Serena Gibbs Knee 1-2 weeks Mikayla Morrison Knee 2-3 weeks Tunisha Kikoak Shoulder TBC Ange Stannett ACL Season

With Casey Fields basking in sunshine, an enthusiastic throng of young Demons fans formed a guard of honour for the evergreen and much admired 75-gamer Paxy Paxman. As the home team ran out to play, Paxy’s banner promised that the Demons would bounce back from last week’s loss to Brisbane and reign supreme. Disappointingly, the Kangaroos dominated the match to win by 50 points, but our Paxy certainly did her bit. She was clearly our best player, sweeping well in defence. The Roos won the contested footy and clearances on the day and capitalised on pressuring the Demons into turnovers. North Melbourne’s total of 71 points is the highest score against Melbourne by any team in AFLW history. Melbourne has been considered one the ‘Big 3’ teams alongside Adelaide and Brisbane and held the best win loss ratio in the competition until last week. North Melbourne, after having beaten us by a combined 91 points in our last two matches, are premiership favourites and have pushed Melbourne down the heavyweights pecking order. Today, North’s stars Riddell, Garner and Kearney were supreme. Kate Shierlaw kicked 5 goals and was too good for Gaby Colvin. Midfield bull Mia King laid a game-high 12 tackles and ruck Emma King dominated with 31 hit outs. For the Dees It seemed at the ground that the Melbourne players gave a solid 4-quarter effort but our errors through constant North pressure caused the eight-goal drubbing. Eliza McNamara was everywhere, laying 10 tackles, with 21 disposals and kicked a goal. Kate Hore started in centre bounce, played as a forward, as a spare in the backline and even tagged Ash Riddell in the last quarter. She threw herself into the fray, including a monster tackle on former teammate Libby Birch in the third quarter. The Irish girls Mackin and Goldrick never gave up and worked hard to create opportunities. We would be lost without their combined spread and contest work. Lily Mithen, Tyla Hanks, and Sarah Lampard stayed involved all day while Maeve Chaplin provided her usual grit and run from defence. Mick later rued turnovers which led to North scoring: such as kicking off the ground instead of picking up the ball, miskicks in defence and giving away unnecessary free kicks in front of goal. Remember, Westy played 2 seasons of VFLW when cross-coding from basketball. So wasn’t it great to see draftee Grace Beasley kicking a ripper first AFLW goal today in only her third game! Melbourne has now lost 5 of its last 6 games. It will be fascinating to see whether Mick Stinear, in the last year of his extended contract, can turn this season around. Moment of the match In the centre square, Blaithin Mackin, while being tackled by two North players, cleverly kicks it Goldie and Alyssia Pisano streams by for a hand pass. Pisano shows off her turn of speed and ball bouncing skills to kick from just inside the 50-metre arc and the ball is bouncing towards the big sticks. Eden Zanker, with Sarah Wright in hot pursuit, makes afateful split-second decision to try and catch the ball and kick it before crossing the line. Unfortunately, Edo manages only to touch the ball, and a certain goal is now only a point. Coaches and next week Melbourne Coach Mick Stinear said North Melbourne won the contest and clearance today and cited North’s scoring of 50 points from turnovers as the real difference. It was important to celebrate Paxy’s milestone match and Mick highlighted how much Paxy brings to the playing group. North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker was pleased with how his team responded from last week’s draw against the Cats. He was delighted with how his team won the contest, pressured the Dees and transitioned the ball. He gave special mentions to Kate Shierlaw with 5 goals, Mia King and Taylah Gatt. The Demons head to Perth next Sunday to take on the in-form Dockers at Fremantle Oval. A good chance for some team bonding and regrouping. Looking forward to us bouncing back. Go Dees! MELBOURNE 2.1.13 2.1.13 2.2.14 3.3.21 NORTH MELBOURNE 2.1.13 6.1.37 8.2.50 11.5.71 GOALS MELBOURNE Beasley Fitzsimon McNamara NORTH MELBOURNE Shierlaw 5 Bruton O'Loughlin Riddell 2 BEST MELBOURNE Paxman Mithen Goldrick Fitzsimon NORTH MELBOURNE Riddell Shierlaw M King Garner E King Kearney INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil NORTH MELBOURNE Nil CROWD 2,023 at Casey Fields

In keeping with our tough draw theme, Week 3 sees Melbourne take on flag favourites, North Melbourne, at Casey Fields this Sunday at 1:05pm. The weather forecast looks dry, a coolish 14 degrees and will be characteristically gusty. Remember when Casey Fields was considered our fortress? The Demons have lost two of their past three matches at the Field of Dreams, so opposition teams commute down the Princes Highway with more optimism these days. The Dees held the highest all-time win/loss ratio until last week. Adelaide now leads with 72.8%, from Melbourne 72.7%, Brisbane 67.9% and North 66.7%. Long term injuries to stars such as Liv Purcell, Tayla Harris, and Lauren Pearce plus speedster Aimee Mackin are not helping our prospects this season. Supporters need to be patient as the team integrates nine new players, having traded 4 or 5 regulars to other clubs. North is a formidable team this year led by three superstars of the competition: defensive general Emma Kearney, theleague-leading possession winner Ash Riddell and Jasmine Garner, the 2024 captain’s choice competition’s best player. Mick Stinear often sends the diminutive Shelley Heath to run with Garner. He did not send anyone to Ally Anderson last week and publicly rued that decision. Ally dominated the game andearned 10 coaches’ votes. Meggs was at Arden Street last Sunday to witness the power of work that Ash Riddell does. She was awesome and earned 8 coaches votes. Our superstar Kate Hore was well tagged by Bre Koenen last week resulting in only 10 disposals and a late consolation goal. The North coaching team will have gone to school on this. Congratulations to Paxy on her 75th game! She has settled well as our halfback general, and her experience will be vital against the Roos. Selection this week Thankfully no new injuries to report at the time of writing. In addition to the 21 players selected last week, we have only 4 additional players available. They are tall forward Georgia Gall, halfback Lily Johnson, key back Delany Madigan and utility Denby Taylor. Pisano did well last week, could we see another debutant? Lily Johnson impressed in VFLW with her pace, courage and good kicking skills. North Melbourne will make a couple of changes this week: Irish speedster Erika O’Shea is listed as a test. If playing, she matches up well on Banno. Goal-sneak Alice O’Loughlin will return from her one-week suspension. Meggs view Expect North Melbourne to be too strong across the ground. A very settled team with no major injuries. Demons’ rucks Georgia Campbell and Rhi Watt will be fully tested. North has Emma King, 187cm tall, and support from Kim Rennie. A midfield of Garner, Riddell, the classy Bruton and bull Mia King will make life very difficult. Expect Mick to play Goldrick and Lampard though the middle again with Hore at times. Heathy will likely run with Ash or Jazz. It has been a tough initiation for cross-coder Grace Beasley, and she improves with each week. Our main hope for winning is freeing up Tyla Hanks, as her ball movement and creativity is elite. Amy Smith, daughter of Shaun, executes tagging roles well for North and may go to Hanksy. Geelong looked dangerous last week when using speed to break from the contest. We need to do this to win. Blaithin Mackin is playing her career best footy and making a real impact from her wing. Eliza McNamara has begun season in great form too. Zanker had her best quarters last year against Adelaide and Geelong. How about monstering your old mate Libby and kicking a bag, Edo If we can garner strength this week with 4-quarters of pressure footy at home, maybe we can surprise in a closely fought contest. Go Dees! North Melbourne by 4 points THE GAME Round 3: Melbourne v North Melbourne, Sunday 15 September 2024 at 1:05pm (Melbourne time) Casey Fields, Melbourne - Wurundjeri/ Boon Wurrung HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 6 wins North Melbourne 2 wins At Casey Fields Melbourne 3 wins North Melbourne 1 win The Coaches Stinear 5 wins Crocker 1 win MEDIA TV - Fox Footy, Kayo. Mobile – AFL Live Official App Radio – Casey Radio. THE LAST TIME THEY MET - Season 8 Qualifying Final at Ikon Park, 4 November 2023 MELBOURNE 0.1 0.1 0.2 1.3 (9) NORTH MELBOURNE 1.4 2.4 5.6 7.8 (50) GOALS MELBOURNE Bannan NORTH MELBOURNE Randall 3, Eddey 2, O'Loughlin, E. King BEST MELBOURNE Hanks, Purcell, Hore, Goldrick, Gay, Gillard NORTH MELBOURNE Garner, Riddell, Kearney, Randall, Wright, Pullar INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil NORTH MELBOURNE Shierlaw (head knock) CROWD 5,431 at Ikon Park Darren Crocker, the North coach, highlighted in the post-match press conference that ‘how to beat Melbourne’ was no secret following their recent losses to the top 3 teams. North was brilliant on the day. Far more aggressive, laid 104 tackles and forced Melbourne into skill errors which ended up being the Dees 2nd biggest loss in history. Experienced forward Tahlia Randall had a field day kicking 3 goals. She and her mate Kate Shierlaw well and truly outbodied and outsprinted their now new teammate Libby Birch. There were rumours that an illness had swept through the Demon camp which helped explain the underwhelming performance. There were no such excuses from Mick Stinear. His team had finished second during the home and away season, earned the second chance but sadly, lost the next week to be out of the finals in straight sets. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B Colvin Gillard HB Chaplin Heath Paxman C McNamara Lampard Mackin HF Bannan Mithen Goldrick F Zanker Gall FOLL Campbell Hanks Hore I/C (from) Beasley Fitzsimon Hill Johnson Pisano Taylor Watt Wotherspoon IN Gall Johnson Taylor OUT NORTH MELBOURNE B Birch Ferguson HB Kearney Wright Bresnehan C Gatt Garner Smith HF Eddey O'Loughlin Bruton F Randall Shierlaw FOLL Rennie King Riddell I/C (from) Burke Craven King Martin McGrath O'Shea Tripodi Wall IN McGrath O'Loughlin O'Shea OUT Injury List: Round 2 Melbourne Jemma Rigoni Groin 2-3 weeks Saraid Taylor Calf 3-4 weeks Lauren Pearce Wrist 6 weeks Olivia Purcell Face TBC Tayla Harris Shoulder Season Jacinta Hose ACL Season Aimee Mackin ACL Season North Melbourne Erika O’Shea Knee Test Lula Pullar Calf 1-2 weeks Eliza Shannon Ankle 1-2 weeks Georgia Stubs Ankle Season

It was a sunny morning at Casey Fields, as Demon supporters young and old formed a guard of honour for fan favourite and 50-gamer Alyssa Bannan. Banno’s banner stated the speedster was the ‘fastest 50 games’ by an AFLW player ever. For Dees supporters, today was not our day and unfortunately not for Banno either. A couple of opportunities emerged for our number 6 but alas there was no sizzle. Brisbane atoned for last week’s record loss to North Melbourne, comprehensively outplaying Melbourne for four quarters winning by 3 goals. The Lions won the contestedball (129/104), clearances (33/19) and hitouts (37/30). They had winners on each line and dynamic spearhead, Dakota Davidson, kicked 3 goals. Brisbane’s decorated midfielder Ally Anderson racked up, an AFLW record, 43 possessions, while gaining 599m. Our Coach Mick Stinear would later comment that maybe he should have sent Shelley Heath to mark Ally earlier than the final quarter. Yep. It was Ally’s ‘Casey Fields’ today, she was outstanding. She’s locked in the 10 coaches’ votes, for sure. For the Dees Our best player Kate Hore spent time in the centre square and forward but could not emulate her heroics of last week. The close company of Brisbane Captain Bre Koenen kept Kate to 10 possessions, but she never gives up and scored a late goal and laid a game-high 10 tackles. It didn’t help that our number one ruck Loz Pearce injured her scaphoid (wrist bone) at training on Thursday. Her place in the selected side was taken by debutante and goal sneak Alyssia Pisano. Georgia Campbell was selected for the injured Tayla Harris, played the number one ruck role and did well. Sarah Lampard tagged the dangerous Sophie Conway and Irish midfielders Blaithin Mackin and Sinead Goldrick (who was the Dees’ top disposal winner with 20) were both super again. Tyla Hanks was probably Melbourne’s best and most effective player. The quality of her disposals and clearance work was back to her usual high standard. Paxy did well marshalling our embattled new-look defence which mostly held up for long periods under duress. Chaplin had another good game and audibly crunched Ruby Svarc in the last quarter. Unfortunately, only 7 players managed to have more than 10 possessions. Not enough contributors today. A meagre two goals will not win you many matches (notwithstanding our S7 grand final effort on hastily laid new turf). What’s Your Decision? In the third quarter Ruby Svarc marked the ball in front of goal which was deemed not 15 metres and called ‘play on’. Goldie immediately tackled Ruby who clearly dropped the ball. The umpire adjudicated that Goldie’s tackle lingered and paid Ruby a free kick from which she converted. From where Meggs was watching, it was incorrect disposal. Moment of the match With less than 2 minutes to play in the third quarter, debutante Alyssia Pisano kicks her first goal in AFLW. She was involved a couple of moments of excellent coast-to-coast play by the Dees. Hopefully it’s an exciting glimpse of what fans can expect to see from our new number 3. Coaches and next week Melbourne Coach Mick Stinear said Brisbane won contest, won clearance and outworked us. He said we defended okayfor large parts of the game, but he gave full credit to the Lions, they deserved the win. Losing high quality All-Australian players Purcell, Harris and Pearce in the past few weeks was definitely a factor. However, he says we have list depth which has givenopportunities to Georgia Campbell in the ruck, Sarah Lampard and Sinead Goldrick in the midfield, and Alyssia Pisano to play her first game. Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich was pleased that the Casey Fields win/loss ledger is now in Brisbane’s favour. A four-quarter effort. Restricted the opposition and did well in transition. Ally Anderson was phenomenal today; she just keeps improving. We are back at Casey Fields next Sunday to play North Melbourne. Another tough game, this time against the 2024 premiership favourite, starting at 1:05pm. Looking forward to us bouncing back. Go Dees! MELBOURNE 0.2 0.3 1.3 2.3 (15)
 BRISBANE 2.0 2.0 3.3 5.3 (33) GOALS 
 MELBOURNE Hore
 Pisano BRISBANE Davidson 3 Smith R Svarc BEST 
 MELBOURNE Hanks Mackin Goldrick Paxman
 BRISBANE Anderson Boltz Koenen Davidson Dawes INJURIES 
 MELBOURNE Zanker (right elbow) [Meggs heard Mick say Edo will be ok for next week]
 BRISBANE Nil LATE CHANGES MELBOURNE Lauren Pearce (wrist) replaced in selected side by Alyssia Pisano
 BRISBANE Nil CROWD 1,534 at Casey Fields

If you are driving or training it to Cranbourne on Saturday, don’t forget to set your alarm clock. The Melbourne Demons play the reigning premiers Brisbane Lions at Casey Fields this Saturday, with the bounce of the ball at 11:05am. Yes, that’s AM. The AFLW fixture shows deference to the AFL men’s finals games. So, for the men it’s good afternoon and good evening and for the women it’s good morning. The Lions were wounded last week by 44 points, their highest ever losing margin. North Melbourne really did a number on Brisbane kicking six goals in the third quarter to dominate the match Meanwhile the Dees had a confidence boosting 2-point hard-fought victory over the Cats at GMHBA Stadium. Here’s hoping we repeat last weeks contested running game style and win. Mick Stinear and Craig Starcevich (Brisbane coach) are the only remaining AFLW foundation coaches (since 2017), and this will be their 10th meeting. Stinear leads the way with 6 wins and 3 losses. BANNO'S BANNER Fan favourite and highlight reel, Alyssa Bannan, plays her 50-game milestone match this weekend. To celebrate there will be a banner for Banno on Saturday. The notorious Casey Fields wind will no doubt test the @deearmy’s expertise in holding it in place. Our premiership forward has had some memorable moments since blasting onto the scene in 2021 after being selected fifth in the 2020 draft. Banno was a Rising Star nomination in Round 2 of 2022 and finished 5th overall behind the winner, Mimi Hill from Carlton. No goal of the year but she has kicked many excellent ones including that classy running goal at Punt Road Oval in 2022 against the Tiges. What an entertainer! Her match winning display in the 2022 preliminary final at the MCG against Brisbane with three exhilarating goals, stands out to Meggs as her most brilliant career performance to date. She was awesome. In the 70-points thrashing of cellar-dweller West Coast Eagles in R7 2023, Alyssa earned 10 coaches votes and kicked 5 goals. While Eagles coach Michael Prior lost his job after publicly complaining about having to play top-placed Melbourne in a 10-week fixture. It wasn’t all bad for the Eagles as they replaced him with Daisy Pearce, while Banno got to upgrade her jumper number this year to Dais’ iconic number 6. Stats-wise, Bannan has kicked a solid 41 career goals in 50 games but her recent ability to sustain performances against the top teams could be questioned. In her last six games played against the 2023 preliminary finalists, she has averaged just six touches per game and only kicked seven points in total. Fingers are crossed that in our upcoming matches against heavyweights, Brisbane and North Melbourne, the new number 6 delivers a couple of home crowd stunners. Go for it, Banno! SELECTION THIS WEEK Tayla Harris will miss weeks with a shoulder, so Georgia (Campbell or Gall) the likely inclusion. Meggs senses a team imbalance, with one too many talls. Prefer to see one of the new recruits Lily Johnson, Jemma Rigoni or Alyssia Pisano debut and show off their pace and good skills. Brisbane will make one forced change for the injured former Eagle, Shanae Davison. MEGGS VIEWS Expect a strong rebound from Brisbane’s premiership stars who lacked their usual intensity last week. Brisbane has tall forward weapons to quell in Dakota Davison and Taylor Smith. Dangerous small Courtney Hodder usually has Heathy match up on her. The Demons rejigged backline looked solid in its first outing. Gillard, Chaplin and Paxman led the way and performed really well building connections with the others. The new-look Demons midfield functioned well with Goldrick and newcomer Beasley fitting in alongside Hanks, Mithen and Lampard. It’s fair to say that Brisbane’s midfield with Anderson, and tough nuts Dawes and C Svarc will provide plenty of physical challenges during the match. The Lions wingers Conway and O’Dwyer are dangerous and kick goals. The Demons wingers Blaithin Mackin and Eliza McNamara look in great early season touch. Loz Pearce v Tahlia Hickey will be a ruck battle royale. Hickey was quiet last week while Loz was in fine form. Brisbane’s defenders Koenen, Campbell, Ellenger, and Grider are recognised as some of the best in the competition and arguably stronger than their Geelong counterparts. No easy goals this week for Hore, Zanker and Bannan. Let’s bring our intensity from the outset and kick straight please. Go Dees! Melbourne by 5 points THE GAME Round 2: Melbourne v Brisbane Lions Saturday 7 September 2024 at 11:15am (Melbourne time) at Casey Fields, Melbourne - Wurundjeri/ Boon Wurrung HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 6 wins Brisbane 3 wins At Casey Fields Melbourne 2 win Brisbane 2 wins The Coaches Stinear 6 wins Starcevic 3 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Footy, Kayo. Mobile – AFL Live Official App Radio – Casey Radio. THE LAST TIME THEY MET - Season 8 Round 10 Brisbane 8.5 (53) defeated Melbourne 4.4 (28) at Brighton Homes Arena, Springfield, 4 November 2023 For this Season 8 Finals-eve Top 4 match, Brisbane had certainly come to play. They outmuscled, outran, and ultimately overwhelmed us. In doing so they exorcised their 2022 grand final loss, running away with the match in the second half, defeating the Demons comfortably by 25 points. It was a pre finals glimpse at how powerful the Lions had become while conversely a reality check for the out of form reigning premiers who were to sadly exit the finals in straight sets. There was one brief moment, at the 13-minute mark of the second quarter, when Melbourne skipper Kate Hore temporarily put the Dees in front. Alas, it was the last Demon goal for the game. For the Dees, a willing group bravely resisted the fierce and physical Brisbane team, but a more even contribution was required to win. FINAL SCORES BRISBANE LIONS 2.2 4.3 8.4 8.5 (53) MELBOURNE 1.0 4.0 4.1 4.4 (28) GOALS Brisbane: Davidson 2, Conway 2, R.Svarc, Smith, Mullins, Hampson Melbourne: Sherriff, Hore, Harris, Hanks BEST Brisbane: Ellenger, Koenen, Hodder, Conway, Anderson, Dawes Melbourne: Pearce, Hore, Purcell, Hanks, Gillard INJURIES Brisbane: Nil Melbourne: Watt (concussion) REPORTS Brisbane: Nil Melbourne: Nil CROWD 3,004 at Brighton Homes Arena THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B Colvin Gillard HB Chaplin Heath Paxman C McNamara Lampard Mackin HF Zanker Mithen Fitzsimon F Bannan Pisano FOLL Campbell Hanks Hore I/C Beasley Goldrick Hill Watt Wotherspoon EMG Gall Taylor IN Campbell Pisano OUT Harris (shoulder) Pearce (scaphoid) BRISBANE LIONS B Dunne Campbell HB Koenen Grider Ellenger C O'Dwyer Anderson Conway HF Postlethwaite Hodder R Svarc F Smith Davidson FOLL Hickie Dawes C Svarc I/C Boltz Hampson Hartill Lutkins EMG Crozier Peters Yoshida-Martin IN Hartill OUT Davison (wrist) Injury List: Round 2 Melbourne Lily Johnson Achilles Available Saraid Taylor Calf 2-3 weeks Tayla Harris Shoulder TBC Olivia Purcell Face TBC Jemma Rigoni Groin TBC Jacinta Hose ACL Season Aimee Mackin ACL Season Brisbane Dee Heslop Calf Strain 3 weeks Shanae Davison Wrist 6 weeks

The 40,000 seat $319 million redeveloped Kardinia Park Stadium was nowhere near capacity last night but the strong, noisy contingent of Melbourne supporters led by the DeeArmy journeyed to Geelong to witness a high-quality battle between two of the best teams in AFLW. The Cats entered the arena to the blasting sounds of Zombie Nation and made a hot start kicking the first 2 goals. They brought tremendous forward half pressure, and our newly renovated defensive unit looked shaky. The windy weather windy and drizzling rain made conditions tricky for both teams. Prespakis, Morrison and Amy McDonald were again the stars for the Cats. It was very physical out there. Mick Stinear noted that our practice match form was scratchy. So, it was a relief when the Dees were able to match the Cats intensity, amping up their own pressure. Debutant Grace Beasley was introduced midway through the first quarter and immediately impressed with her deft handballs and physicality. What an encouraging first game! Loz Pearce was outstanding in the ruck all night and took full advantage of Geelong not playing a recognised ruck. Notwithstanding, Kate Darby and Gabbi Featherston were competitive for the Cats. Kate Hore again demonstrated why she is considered one of the best players in the competition. Kate was on fire 🔥 with 2 classy goals to get the Dees back on terms by quarter time and finished the game with 23 possessions and 3 goals. You have to admit she’s getting better all the time. Apart from Grace Beasley, forward Ryleigh Wotherspoon and back Grace Hill also debuted. Both were quieter but did their bit, having some moments from which they can build on. Tayla Harris hurt her shoulder in the first half and then again in the third and was taken from the ground for the duration. She will have scans next week. The drizzling stopped as the second half began but it remained very windy. The new midfield mix worked well: with Liv Purcell recovering from injury and Westy at Hawthorn, Goldrick took on the ball chaser and extractor role brilliantly, supporting Hanksy and Lily Mithen (team high 8 tackles). Sarah Lampard did really well matching up on Amy McDonald, who was the Cats leading contested disposal winner. With Hore at times and debutant Beasley in the middle, Mick was happy with the collective performance. Eliza McNamara was in everything and demonstrated her courage with 13 contested possessions. How Blaithin Mackin transitioned to AFLW with virtually no pre-season, having just finished an injury-interrupted Gaelic Football Season was incredible. Her indefatigable running, reading of the play and passing foot skills under pressure were sublime. She was our leading possession winner plus she kicked a great goal. B you were awesome. The refurbished defence: Paxy has taken over Maddi Gay’s half back sweeper role and looked right at home. Maeve Chaplin has stepped into the Birch role. Our number 13 is a good intercept mark, has deep kicking skills and courage. Chappy impressed on the night, maintaining her practice match form. Tahlia Gillard was Tahlia Gillard. Tahls is becoming one of the best key defenders in the comp. Heathy was fantastic on the night applying pressure everywhere, landing 6 tackles. Gaby Colvin will be better for the run as she, Grace Hill and the backs build connections. Moment of the match: With Dees supporters stressing, wanting the siren to sound in a tensely close match, it was a shock when Geelong won a free kick in the last minute directly in front of goal. Surely it was a charity free! No, Paxy had inadvertently breached a seldom used rule for time-wasting by not handing the ball back directly to the umpire. Ex Dee Jaqui Parry scores and it’s a 2-point game. Supporters were kept on edge for the 46 seconds until Beasley clears the ball and the siren sounds. Dees by 2 points 😎🔥⭐️🥰 Full time: Dees 6.6.42 defeated Cats 6.4.40 The opening weekend of Women’s footy has showcased the improving skill and tackling pressure. It was a really entertaining match to watch, with stats very evenly matched. This away win for the Dees was an important one with the tough draw ahead. We congratulate Daisy Pearce on her first win in her first game as coach of West Coast Eagles. Coaches and next week: Melbourne Coach Mick Stinear said it was a tough, physical game and the Cats had his team on the backfoot at the outset. Really pleased with how his team fought back, they deserved the win. A confidence booster for the playing group. He praised Kate Hore’s game and versatility but ideally, he prefers her to play forward. He highlighted that Sinead Goldrick’s, Grace Beasley and Sarah Lampard’s strong midfield performances allowed Kate to spend more time forward. Geelong coach Dan Lowther referred to his teams shaky practice match form so was pleased with how his side began and their forward half pressure. A strong first half but his side couldn’t quite sustain it in the second half. He gave full credit to Melbourne. He said Kate Hore with 3 goals and 20+ disposals was the difference. The Dees are a great team still. We agree Dan 😊. We head to Casey Fields for the next two weeks. Firstly Brisbane, the reigning premiers, next Saturday morning at 11:05am and then North Melbourne, last year’s runners up. A big fortnight coming up. Happy Father’s Day to all Dee Dads. Enjoy your day and go Dees! MELBOURNE 2.0.12 2.2.14 5.4.34 6.6.42 GEELONG 2.2.14 3.2.20 5.2.32 6.4.40 GOALS MELBOURNE Hore 3 Goldrick B Mackin Zanker GEELONG Parry 2 Bowen Kearns Kenny Morrison BEST MELBOURNE Hore B Mackin Pearce Mithen McNamara Goldrick GEELONG Prespakis Am McDonald Morrison Bowen Webster Parry INJURIES MELBOURNE Harris (shoulder) GEELONG Kearns (chest/rib) CROWD 3,838 at GMHBA Stadium

The Mighty Demons take on the confident Cats this Saturday night at the recently completed $319 million redeveloped GMHBA Stadium, with the bounce of the ball at 7:15pm. Our last game of 2023 was an agonisingly close 5-point semi-final loss to Geelong, and we look forward to Melbourne turning the tables this week. Practice match form was scratchy for both teams with the Demons losing practice matches to Carlton and Port Adelaide, while the Cats beat Collingwood but then lost to Essendon. No doubt all teams have been ‘training the house down’ and breaking PBs but Melbourne also has nine new players to integrate (three newbies playing , which has been a huge challenge for Demons Coach Mick Stinear and his crew. The 2022 Season 7 premiership coach has an impressive coaching win/loss record of 73.7% but losses in the last three games have not helped the percentage. Selection this week Todd Patterson, the Club’s List Manager, outlined his strategy to trade out 4-5 experienced players and use the draft to recruit elite young talent and target top-up players. He believed the Dees already had an excellent core list and some ten players have 50 games or more experience. With former regular defenders Birch and Gay gone, Tayla Harris has been earmarked to fill a key back role and use her field kicking skills. Maeve Chaplin looks set for a role in defence too and looked awesome in the practice games. Of the newbies, expect to see some Round 1 debuts. Ryleigh Wotherspoon, a 170cm powerful, athletic, utility, demonstrated, excellent game awareness and goal kicking skills in the practice and VFLW games. Grace Beasley (who will have a test on her shoulder) will hopefully debut too. Grace comes to the Dees from US college basketball as a tough, skillful guard. Expect to see her playing in the midfield. Grace Hill is a tall, strong defender with good kicking skills and comes via the GWS Giants. Our opponents, Geelong The Cats have an elite group of midfielders in Georgie Prespakis, Nina Morrison and Amy McDonald. They have wingers, Bowen and Crockett-Grills, who provide speed and pressure. Defence-wise they have talls Meg McDonald and Claudia Gunjaca. Chantel Emonson, the former Dee, takes kicking duties. In attack they will miss the injured Chloe Sheer but tall dynamic Irish player Ashling Maloney, kicked 3 goals against us in Round 5 last year, and will be a headache for ourdefence. Meggs' thoughts The Dees have been working hard over the past few months to integrate the new players, develop the gameplan, and build connections. There is reason to be optimistic for this season, but highlighted in the Welcome 2024 Season Preview, we have a tough draw. Concerns emerged last year, and observed in the practice games, about winning the footy in the midfield and getting the ball outside to runners. With Liv Purcell missing for a few weeks, others will be allocated to fill her role. Expect that to be Goldie and Kate Hore who will join Hanksy and Lily Mithen. Hopefully Blaithin Mackin is fully fit and available as we need her running power and game reading. Up forward Eden Zanker matches up well on Gunjaca. Well let’s face when Edo fires up, she terrifies every defender. Our backline is a work-in-progress, but Gillard, Chaplin and others such as Paxy, Colvin, Lampard and Heath are super experienced and reliable role players. Mick Stinear has demonstrated the power of versatility with this playing group. We expect them to acquit themselves brilliantly on Saturday and Meggs will be at the ground cheering alongside lots of other Dees fans. Please come along! Go Dees! Melbourne by 3 points THE GAME Melbourne v Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, Wadawurrung, on Saturday 31 August 2023 at 7:15pm (Melbourne time) HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 1 win Geelong 1 win At GMHBA, Geelong Melbourne 1 win Geelong 0 wins The Coaches Stinear 1 win Lowther 1 win MEDIA TV - Fox Footy, Kayo. Mobile – AFL Live Official App Radio - check your local guides. THE LAST TIME THEY MET Geelong 7.8 (50) defeated Melbourne 6.9 (45) in the Season 8 Semi Final at Ikon Park, on 19 November 2023 On a sunny afternoon at Ikon Park, Geelong midfield stars Nina Morrison, Georgie Prespakis and Amy McDonald took control of the game. For most of the first three quarters they dominated the Dees and were 5 goals in front at three quarter time. With nothing to lose, Mick Stinear began the last quarter with Tahlia Gillard in the ruck and moved Kate Hore and Goldie alongside the extractor Westy in the middle. Within seconds of the bounce of the ball, our midfielders had found Hanksywho ran on into an open goal. At the ground it seemed like the weight of being the ‘reigning premiers’ had finally lifted from the players shoulders. Eden Zanker started holding her marks and kicked 3 brilliant last quarter goals. We kicked 5 goals to 1 goal in the last. And in the dying seconds, Loz Pearce snapped for goal to force extra-time, but it sadly drifted left by inches. Too little too late, season over. FINAL SCORES MELBOURNE 0.2 1.4 1.7 6.9 (45) GEELONG 2.4 4.5 6.7 7.8 (50) GOALS Melbourne: Zanker 3, Gay, Hanks, A.Mackin Geelong: A.McDonald 2, Parry, Darby, Crockett-Grills, Scott, Moloney BEST Melbourne: Hanks, West, Zanker, Pearce, Paxman, Gay Geelong: Morrison, Webster, A.McDonald, M.McDonald, Parry, Darby INJURIES Melbourne: Nil Geelong: Nil Crowd: 5,057 at Ikon Park THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B Colvin Gillard HB Chaplin Heath Paxman C McNamara Lampard Mackin HF Zanker Mithen Harris F Bannan Fitzsimon FOLL Pearce Hanks Hore I/C Beasley Goldrick Hill Watt Wotherspoon EMG Gall Taylor Campbell GEELONG B Emonson Gunjaca HB Webster McDonald Kearns C Friswell Prespakis Bowen HF Crockett-Grills Parry Surman F Moloney Kenny FOLL Darby McDonald Morrison I/C Featherston Kennedy Moloney Rankin Scott EMG Mason McDonald Plummer Injury List: Round 1 Melbourne Grace Beasley Shoulder Test Jacinta Hose ACL Season Lily Johnson Achilles Test Aimee Mackin ACL Season Olivia Purcell Face TBC Jemma Rigoni Groin TBC Saraid Taylor Calf 2 weeks Geelong Chloe Sheer Toe 5-6 weeks

It’s been hard to miss the seismic global momentum happening in Women’s sport of late. The Matildas have been playing to record sell-out crowds across Australia and ‘Mary Fowler is God’ is chalked onto footpaths everywhere. WNBA basketball rookie sensation Caitlin Clark has almost single-handedly elevated her Indiana Fever team to unprecedented viewership, attendances and playoffs in the USA. Our female Aussie Paris 2024 Olympians won 13 out of Australia’s all-time record 18 gold medals. Jess Fox, Nina Kennedy, and Kaylee McKeown are now generational sporting superheroes. After a period of stagnation, will AFLW cash in on this tangible enthusiasm for women’s sport? Well, newly minted AFLW General Manager, Emma Moore, will surely be hoping so. The 2024 AFLW season kicks off 7:15pm this Friday night at the picturesque North Sydney Oval. Taking battle are two of the higher supported teams with superstar Chloe Molloy’s Sydney Swans taking on skipper Bri Davey’s Collingwood Magpies. This season promises to be closer than ever before with more teams realistically having a chance of finals. Encouragingly for spectators, the practice matches noticeably displayed higher levels of skills, speed and scoring. New rules and stuff The games are now 15 minutes plus time on, so expect quarters go for around 19-20 minutes. For the first time in AFLW there will be score reviews with the bunker’s ‘tools’ to include broadcast vision and new smart ball technology, ‘Score Assist’. The AFLW draft in December 2024 will transition to a fully national model. The AFL and players’ union have struck an increased AFLW pay agreement. The 5-year deal includes adding extra rounds to upcoming seasons, subject to attainment of key audience metrics. The Fixture Season 9 is an 11-round season squeezed into ten weeks. In order to create a fixture which produces more even matches, the league handicaps the better teams. The shorter season means teams don’t play 6 of the other 17 teams during the season. The top 8 teams make finals. For the third year, all 18 AFL teams are represented, with Tasmania to enter in 2028. Dees fixture perspective Melbourne has been given a very tough draw. The Dees campaign opens with tough games against three of Season 8’s preliminary finalists: Geelong (at Kardinia Park), Brisbane (Premiers) and North (at Casey Fields). We meet Adelaide in Round 7 (at Norwood). The Dees miss games against Port Adelaide (who looked very impressive in our practice match), Sydney, Gold Coast, Carlton, Western Bulldogs and West Coast Eagles. However, we play away games against Dockers, Bombers (playing for the first time ever) at Windy Hill, the Saints at Moorabbin and the fast-improving Hawks in Cairns. Demons list changes – 9 new players Departures At trade time, the Dees jettisoned four regulars plus a backup defender. Eliza West and Casey Sherriff were traded to Hawthorn, Maddi Gay to Essendon, Libby Birch to North and Charlotte Wilson to Gold Coast. Sammie Johnson and Jordie Ivey were delisted. Georgina Fowler retired without a debut. Trades Grace Beasley comes to the Dees from a successful US college basketball background. Very professional, with toughness and spatial awareness. Expect Grace to play midfield. Lily Johnson from Port Adelaide was injured during preseason, but she could slot in nicely as a small defender with her excellent kicking skills. She impressed during her VFLW matches. Tall defender Grace Hill via GWS Giants and utility Denby Taylor via Geelong’s VFLW team are the other additions. Draft Pick 5: Alyssia Pisano, is a 162cm crafty small forward who kicked 38 goals from 11 games in the Talent League Girls using her dynamite left foot. Pick 12: Ryleigh Wotherspoon, is a 170cm powerful, athletic utility who has a cricket, soccer and softball background. Ryleigh impressed in both practice games so pencil her name in for Round 1. Pick 24: Jacinta Hose is a 185cm agile tall. She has done ACLs in both knees and will rehab in 2024. Pick 29: Jemma Rigoni, is a father-daughter selection.She is 172cm and lightning quick. The talented left-footer will proudly wear her father Guy’s No. 43. Pick 55: Delany Madigan, is a 174cm tall defender with strong marking and kicking skills. Rehab Exciting Gaelic star Aimee Mackin has done her ACL and is out for season 2024. Unfortunately, courageous midfielder Olivia Purcell suffered nasty facial fractures and concussion in the Port Adelaide practice game. Liv will be sidelined for some time. Season 9 predictions Premiers: North Melbourne - The last 3 AFLW premierships have been won by the preceding season’s runners-up. If the trend continues, North will be premiers. Expect Brisbane, Adelaide and Geelong to be thereabouts. League leading goal kicker: Eden Zanker to go back-to-back. League Best and Fairest: Jasmine Garner finally wins. Kate Hore the best Dee. Most improved team: Hawthorn. Their practice match form looked hot. Finals bound. Meggs will be back with a preview of Melbourne’s Round 1 Season 9 opening match starting 7.15pm on Saturday 31 August at GMHBA Stadium.

Congratulations to the Brisbane Lions. Undefeated in all 6 matches against the top teams (North Melbourne, Adelaide, Geelong, and Melbourne). They are worthy winners of the 2023 AFLW premiership. Our ambition for a Season 8 back-to-back premiership was derailed. In round 6 Adelaide spilled the beans on the template to outplay us. From there news spread fast to other top teams who applied similar intense physical pressure at the source which crushed our gameplan to execute via quick hands to runners. We had moments of competitiveness against Adelaide and Geelong, but both the 2023 Grand finalists had our measure at the pointy end of the season. Finishing 2023 Top 4 and exiting in straight sets was an unhappy outcome for supporters, especially given the men’s team finished the same way. But MFC Chair Kate Roffey reminded members that no one will be more disappointed in how we finished the year than the players themselves, they will be determined to bounce back. For Mick Stinear, his football department, Kate Hore and the playing group, it will be back to base camp in 2024, fitter and stronger, and the introduction of some new faces to get excited about. Meggs is optimistic. At the beginning of the season, Demons supporters were regularly posting how much they were enjoying watching women’s footy. It was true, we were playing some really entertaining and skillful football, our best footy is super exciting. Following are reflections on Season Eight 2023: What went right For any team to win a back-to-back premiership, almost everything has to go right. Offence Finishing 2nd with 8 wins and a percentage of 222.9, our ‘points for’ of 653 is the highest in AFLW competition history. Our forward stars Eden Zanker and Kate Hore jointly shared the AFLW Goalkicking Award with a record 20 goals for the Home and Away Season. Edo also snagged three goals in the final against Geelong to finish with 23 for the season, another league record (equal with Brisbane’s Dakota Davidson). One Club - McLelland Trophy Winners = $1 Million MFC Chair Kate Roffey praised how competitive our Club’s men’s and woman’s programs are when highlighting the honour of accepting the revamped and relaunched 2023 McClelland Trophy. She said that while the $1 million prize money is welcomed, the real value is the recognition of the ‘extraordinary commitment it takes across the entire Club to field and support two extremely high performing teams each weekend’. The Daisy replacement No one was surprised about the Club’s appointment of Kate Hore as Captain of the Melbourne Football Club as she was the standout candidate. From the outset of her captaincy tenure our Number 10’s leadership was evident. Her teammates see her as an inspiration on and off the field. Kate does everything well yet appears so humble. Statistically 2023 was her best ever year. She led the league for average score involvements with 6.5 a game, was an equal league-leading goalkicker and averaged 4 marks and 4 tackles per game. External recognition of Kate’s outstanding year came from her peers as the AFL Player’s Association’s Best Captain for 2023 and from the media for by being selected as a forward and captain of the 2023 AFLW All-Australian Team. Last Quarter Bandits New AFLW rules for 2023 included 17-minute quarters and a 60 interchange-limit and these changes advantaged the Dees with our deep fleet of seasoned midfield runners able play out quarters and matches and kick higher scores. Our extended run of unbeaten last quarters ran from Round 4 of Season 7 until North undid us in the Qualifying final, an AFLW record of 19 games. Some exhilarating 4th quarter footy was witnessed by the Demons faithful during the season: Eden Zanker mesmerised the highly rated Crows defence at Casey in Round 6 and then repeated that with three last quarter goals in the losing semi-final against the Cats. Other notable last quarter efforts include seven goals against the Giants in Round 2 and four goals against the Cats in Round 5. Irish Eyes Are Smiling Goldie and the Mackins add so much run and competitiveness and are vital cogs in our gameplan. Blaithin had a tremendous second season, a big improver. Goldie always rises to the challenges of big games and lifts her teammates. Aimee looks a natural forward so injury free and with a full pre-season we have found a footballer. All-Australians Other than the aforementioned great seasons of Kate and Edo, our generational key defender Tahlia Gillard and our uber talented Vice Captain Tyla Hanks also made the All-Australian Squad. Tahls is building an impressive CV of big-name scalps while Tyla, our most skillful playmaker, is now widely recognised for her week in, week out, football genius. What went wrong (the excuses) All was going swimmingly until quarter time in Round 6 against Adelaide at Casey Fields. The Draw Was our draw too soft? In six games against bottom eight teams we had a percentage of 323% whereas in the six games against the top eight teams our percentage was 96.4%. Why were we out of form at the wrong time of year? Mick, this is really a question for you. Did being the hunted, not the hunter, eventually weigh us down? Injuries didn’t’ help Maddi Gay, Aimee Mackin, Tayla Harris and Paxy all missed multiple matches. Lampy broke her wrist in Round 7, Sherriff re-injured her forearm in Round 10. Gabby Colvin only played 2 games. The unspoken illness that swept the team during the finals, was this truly a factor? List composition and game plan Improvement by other teams relative to us? Yes, definitely. Exposed at the source by stronger and more willing bodies. North laid 104 tackles (Dees 80) in the final and Brisbane 81 (Dees 57) in Round 10. Brisbane dominated uncontested possessions 133:75 and marks 51:27. Adelaide dominated us for two quarters in Round 6 but we were able to fight back but not so against Brisbane or North. In the Geelong final it was all going the wrong way until a last quarter hurrah. All four teams exposed not only our lack of midfield physicality but our leg speed and depth in defence. By not being able to exit the contest skilfully we coughed up the footy and back it came. Being 2022 reigning premiers, we already have an excellent core playing group, but all successful teams must renew and refresh their list. Premiers Brisbane lost Bates, Bodey and Wardlaw in 2022. Our shopping list should include some bigger bodies for the midfield and a strong key defender. All new recruits must be runners and competitors who come with established core footy skills. Do we know whether Casey girl Claudia Whitford would consider rejoining the Dees? She has starred for Gold Coast this year. Player movements The Trade Period opens on Thursday 7 December 2023 and closes 14 December. AFLW is reporting that Casey Sherriff, Libby Birch, and Eliza West may be off the Hawthorn. Gold Coast are apparently chasing Charlotte Wilson. We have another Father-Daughter selection in young speedster Jemma Rigoni which is exciting. In other news Georgina ‘Chook’ Fowler has retired from football and leaves the Dees without making her debut. The Draft is being held on Monday 18 December 2023. Speculation Meggs speculates that some end-of-season player reviews will be interesting. Fitzy, the ultra-skilled pressure forward, failed to kick a goal in her 8 games this season. She did have a career-high 15 disposals in the qualifying final against North and a career-high 10 tackles against Fremantle in Round 9. Could Fitzy play on the ball where she has done well in VFLW or even a defensive role? You want the ball in her hands because she has good skills and makes good decisions. Her housemate, the highly talented Alyssa Bannan, had some fine moments in 2023 including a 5-goal haul against the lowly West Coast Eagles. However, Alyssa was unable to consistently assert herself in the 6 key matches against the Top 4 teams, kicking just the one goal. Maybe play her on the wing? Getting fitter and stronger must be a focus for Banno in 2024. Best and Fairest In the AFLW Best and Fairest, Demons scored 46 votes. Kate Hore and Tyla Hanks earned 12 votes, Eden Zanker and Paxy Paxman 6., Alyssa Bannan 5, Eliza West and Lauren Pearce 2, and Liv Purcell 1. The Demons Best and Fairest is being held 9 December 2023. Meggs is tipping Tyla Hanks to win her second best and fairest. She has been our inspirational playmaker all year. Last year’s winner Kate Hore has been superb and might be thereabouts too. Melbourne FC has written a piece on some of the top-performing Demons of the season here: Tahlia Gillard   In just her third season at the top level, Tahlia Gillard has broken into the league as an upcoming star of the defensive 50. She’s improved with each week at the contest and on the rebound. The 19-year-old has managed to shut down some of the best forwards in the league, averaging 5.6 intercepts and 5.2 spoils, with her consistency earning her an inaugural selection in the All-Australian squad. Tyla Hanks   As vice-captain, Tyla Hanks’ impressive performances were a constant for the team in 2023, using her footy smarts, natural talent and silky skills to cement herself as one of the competition’s best midfielders. Statistically, she continued to reach new milestones, averaging a career-high 21.7 disposals, 5.6 clearances, 4.4 score involvements and 3.7 inside 50s. The midfielder finished the season with 12 votes in the league best and fairest count, an equal club-high. Shelley Heath  She might fly under the radar externally, but Shelley Heath is a highly celebrated Demon at the club for her versatility, strength and determination. Often tasked with locking down the opposition’s most influential players, this year has seen her talent showcased across both the backline and midfield, while also impacting in front of goals, kicking two during Round 1.   Kate Hore   This season has seen Kate Hore take on the new title of captain, embracing the responsibility and allowing it to push her game to another level. The crafty forward became the second player in league history to kick 20 goals in a home-and-season, earning her the title of leading goal-kicker alongside Eden Zanker. She also led the league for average score involvements with 6.5 a game.   Most recently, she became a three-time All-Australian forward and received the honour of All-Australian captain to go alongside her AFL Players' Association's Best Captain title. Blaithin Mackin   In just her second season at the club, Blaithin Mackin has further adapted into the sport, having only come across from Gaelic football last year. The speedy winger has been persistent in her develop of the AFL craft, her natural agility and creative skill an asset to the side. Her best performance came in Round 8 where she registered 21 disposals, six marks and four tackles.  Lily Mithen  A stalwart for the Demon line-up since the inaugural season, Lily Mithen has continued to be a pillar of strength for the team in 2023. The energetic and determined utility was impressive in the contest, her versatility an important quality for the side during integral games throughout the season. She averaged 16.6 disposals and kicked a career-high total of four goals.   Lauren Pearce No one does it quite like Lauren Pearce and in 2023 she continued her talented ways in the red and blue. Known for her impressive ruck craft, with the ability to follow up at ground-level, Pearce averaged 18.5 hitouts and 3.2 clearances a game, often seen changing the momentum of a game with a single tap. Despite missing one match in the middle of the season, Pearce’s impact across the year will no doubt put her in good stead for this year’s top honour. Olivia Purcell  A fiery midfielder who consistently steps up under pressure is Olivia Purcell, whose 2023 has been another testament to her talent. The bullish Demon is as competitive as they come, attacking the contest with an unmatched will to win. This season has seen her average 21.9 disposals, 4.5 tackles, 4.2 clearances and a career-high 4.6 score involvements.   Eden Zanker   Experienced Demon Eden Zanker produced a career-best campaign in 2023. The tall forward came into the season with perfected forward craft and a strength in the aerial contest, averaging close to four marks a game. She wrote herself into the history books as the first AFLW player to kick 20 goals in a home-and-away season and was named the league’s leading goal-kicker alongside Kate Hore.  She topped off her year with an inaugural All-Australian selection. Thank you readers Well, that’s all for Season Eight. It has been a pleasure writing about this wonderful team so thank you for reading. Meggs wishes you all the best for the festive season. MEGGS