AFLM – Round 2 – Gold Coast V Melbourne

Liam Chambers

Queensland seems to have a special kind of humidity. As soon as you cross the border, you start to sweat. The Dees would have to contend with the weather as well as dealing with a Gold Coast team that had already seen off the Eagles. The Suns are a talented side so it would be a good test for Melbourne.

Gold Coast are infamous for peaking at the start of the season but with one win under their belt, they would be eager for the top scalp. True to form, the Suns got the first major when Jeremy Sharp had a set shot directly in front. They also got the second when the marking machine Levi Casboult took a contested grab inches from the line. With only half the term gone, the Dees could have been further behind but the home side’s accuracy in front of goal let them down. Once they sort out how to kick more efficiently they’ll be really dangerous.

Even as Melbourne battled to get the ball into their forward fifty, they still looked calm and collected if not overly cool. It was only a matter of time before the Dees got a break and as is so often the case, it was Max Gawn who stepped up when he marked from 30m out. A couple of minutes later, Ben Brown marked deep in the pocket. His perfect kick, under difficult circumstances, was enough to make the footy gods weep.

I’m not sure if Goody asked that only players two metres or over kick goals in the first quarter but Luke Jackson scored a blinder with thirty seconds to go. When he grabbed the ball out of the ruck and ran on to score, he was the epitome of thinking on your feet.

Melbourne’s fourth goal showcased both their individual and team strengths. As Christian Petracca crumbed the ball from a dropped mark, he went on to break away from two sets of tackles before hand passing to Jack Viney. The midfielder wasted no time in snapping the ball through the posts.

Gold Coast struck back immediately when Mabior Chol took a contested mark and kicked cleanly to restore the margin. Twenty seconds later and Melbourne were ten points in front again. With some clever hand passing, the Dees were able to weave through the Sun’s defence, allowing Kysaiah Pickett to kick around the body and score number five. Another twenty seconds and Melbourne had a sixth when Clayton Oliver broke out of a tackle to one handedly drop the ball onto his left boot and launch the sherrin goalwards where he watched it bounce across the line. 

Gold Coast eventually arrested the one way traffic when Alex Davies marked in front of goal and converted to score their fourth. Now it was the Suns turn to score in rapid succession as Noah Anderson received a handpass on the 50m line, before running on, dodging Angus Brayshaw, lining up the kick and hitting the target.

Gold Coast continued to exert some impressive pressure on the Dees, getting players around the ball. Again their lack of accuracy meant they were unable to take full advantage of their chances. The margin remained at three points deep into the quarter following the initial flurry by both sides in the opening minutes. It looked like the Suns could make it to half time neck and neck with Melbourne. Then Ben Brown was deemed held just outside the 50m line and the big forward kicked his second.

A few minutes later, and it was back to a cigarette paper between the teams when Jack Lukosius marked ten metres away from goal. The rejoicing didn’t last long at Metricon though as the ball sailed over the heads of the waiting pack in Melbourne’s goal square. Luke Jackson saw his chance to follow the ball, collect it on the bounce and kick from point blank range. When is his contract being renew again?

With Petracca notching up so many brilliant kicks during the game, it’s difficult to pick a favourite. However his weave through traffic and subsequent kick from outside 50 to perfectly pick out Tom McDonald has to be a contender. T Mac doesn’t miss from that range and the advantage was back to three goals.

Melbourne was caught napping at the start of the second half when the Suns made a dash for inside 50 where Levi Casboult was waiting to take the mark.

Bayley Fritsch was having a quiet night but he only needs one chance and he took it. After being awarded a free kick 45m from goal, he went back and kicked beautifully to score Melbourne’s tenth.

Frustratingly, Gold Coast were proving difficult for the Dees to leave in their wake as Brayden Fiorini was able to bend the perfect kick and watch it sail through. Melbourne was also struggling to breakdown the Sun’s defence but ultimately James Harmes found enough space to snap one through and it was back to the half time margin.

Fatigue was setting in on both sides with some players feeling the effects of the heat more than others. Each team kept forging ahead though, with Melbourne missing a couple of possibilities. Then Kysaiah Pickett got goal of the match when he danced around three GC defenders and kicked sideways while managing to remain upright. Brilliant!

The heat was on both literally and figuratively as Melbourne endeavored to land the fatal blow. The conditions obviously favoured the hosts and they used their energy in a last ditch drive to overcome the Dees. Despite continuing to mount their onslaught, it took to the halfway mark of the last quarter for the Suns to finally take advantage with Noah Anderson managing to get a kick away from a stoppage and give Gold Coast a glimmer of hope.

Whereas the Suns had struggled with accuracy in the first half, now Melbourne were peppering without scoring a major. Then with only a minute remaining, Charlie Ballard marked from 35m out and converted.

It was a tight game in the end but Gold Coast were worthy opponents and look a possibility to make the top eight this year. Round 3 we play Essendon. Again, a side with lots of potential but sitting near the bottom of the table. We won’t be underestimating them though.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

AFLM – Round 1 – Melbourne V Western Bulldogs

Liam Chambers

With Melbourne missing four of their premiership back lineup, the Grand Final replay was going to be challenging. It gave other Dees a chance to savour some of last years’ triumph though.

One who didn’t miss out in September was Ed Langdon and he definitely didn’t miss when he opened the scoring for the premiers. Another was Ben Brown who was happy to kick the Dees’ second from a contested mark to the left of goal. Jack Viney was the beneficiary of an Ed Langdon centred kick to make it three in a row.

Jake Bowey lived every aspiring Demon’s dream when he played a Grand Final after only six top flight games. He then added a cherry to the sundae with a perfectly targeted kick to score his debut Dees’ goal at the MCG.

Last year the Dogs launched a spectacular comeback in the second quarter; this time, with a minute to go in the first term, Hayden Crozier launched a 50m kick to put the Bulldogs on the board. Then a dubious frontal challenge call, right on the siren, gave Cody Weightman the chance to double their goal tally.

The Dogs continued on their merry way after quarter time with Aaron Naughton bending one from 40m to close the gap to eight points. It was four in a row when Bailey Dale chipped one from the pocket. Naughton then got number two and gave his team the lead for the first time.

Adam Treloar added to the pain with a snap on the edge of the goal square. Then, when Aaron Naughton was given too much space, he punished the defence with his third of the quarter. Fittingly for a rampaging reversal of play, it was ex Demon Mitch Hannan who twisted the knife to give the Dogs a twenty two point advantage.

Melbourne desperately needed a circuit breaker to arrest the Dog’s dominance. They got it when big Tom McDonald displayed some fancy footwork and creative kicking. Big Ben Brown took the mark on the 50m line and using his trademark long run up, the key forward kicked his second to start the tide turning. The tide started flowing quickly when Kysaiah Pickett found Christian Petracca in the pocket. That was all the Norm Smith medalist required to wind back the margin further.

The second half started in the same vein when Ben Brown weaved his magic to spin the ball off the outside of his right boot. Then the hero of the GF, Bayley Fritsch took an uncontested mark 40m out and gave Melbourne back the lead. It was back to back for the Fridge Magnet when he took advantage of a dropped mark to run, turn and snap from 30m directly in front. Not to be out slicked, Luke Jackson took a contested mark just inside 50 and kicked a set shot that never looked in doubt.

With a three goal buffer going into the last quarter, the Dees looked confident and in control.

They were quickly shaken out of their comfort zone as arch nemesis, Marcus Bontempelli, took advantage of a loose ball to shorten the Dogs’ lease to a mere 10 points. When Aaron Naughton marked and converted from 40m, the Dogs were well and truly snapping at Melbourne’s heels.

In time of great need, great leaders step up to the plate. As Max Gawn launched his set shot from 55m, the ball flew like a heat seeking missile and arched perfectly through the uprights to put the Dees back in control. Clearly rattled, the Bulldogs struggled to hit back. A turnover allowed Alex Neal-Bullen to gather the ball and hand pass to Fritsch whose subsequent kick was plucked out of the air by James Harmes, just outside the goal square.

It was now back to a three goal game with the clock ticking. At two minutes to go, Tracca sprinkled some more magic dust when he received the ball from a stoppage and snapped his second. Unfortunately after the bounce, the Bulldogs were able to make it to inside 50 and Adam Treloar kicked a rocket from the line and watched his shot sail through.

The Dees still had one more surprise left though, with Kysaiah Pickett on the receiving end of a Neal-Bullen kick. Lining up, 40m from goal, Kozzie had no problem adding his name to the scoreboard.

The Demons head north to Metricon Stadium for Round 2 where they’ll face off against Gold Coast. It will be interesting to see how Melbourne play against one of last season’s under preforming teams. The Sun’s stellar display against West Coast last weekend will mean the Dees take nothing for granted.

It was heartwarming to see the MCG lineup of Melbourne greats prior to the opening game of 2022. Those legends have been waiting a long time but finally the new era has begun.
Conversely it was sad to see the brilliant Christian Salem sidelined with a knee injury. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 10 – Melbourne V Carlton

Liam Chambers

After Round 9’s emphatic win in Perth, the Dees were back on home soil to face Carlton. The Blues season had started poorly with only one win from their first six outings. Now they were coming home strongly with three victories in a row and looking to make it four from their visit to Casey Fields. With no chance of playing finals, Carlton was ready to try a spot of giant slaying.

A win for Melbourne would secure a top two place on the ladder; lose and the Lions could leapfrog their rivals and take the coveted position. The Dees had everything to gain, Carlton had nothing to lose.

The pressure showed as Melbourne grappled to play their preferred game. The Blues were determined to close them down at every opportunity. It took a while but eventually Daisy Pearce was on the receiving end of an Alyssa Bannan kick which was marked directly in front of goal. Daisy’s conversion helped settle Demon tremors.

With a minute to go Pearce returned the favour when she slotted a kick inside 50 where Bannan jumped to take the mark. She kept her set shot low and it sailed through for Melbourne’s second.

At the start of the term two, the Blues continued pressure paid off when Nicola Stevens was able to scoop up the ground ball and snap it into the waiting goal.

Melbourne responded quickly when Alyssa Bannan was taken high, then awarded a 50m penalty. Her set shot restored the margin and delivered Bannan her second of the evening.

Later in the quarter, Nicola Stevens also got her second when several bounces favoured Carlton and the defender was able to get a kick off the deck and across the line. It was back to back goals when Georgia Gee had a set shot from a similar position to Alyssa Bannan’s kick in the previous quarter. Like Bannan the midfielder kept the kick low and it ended up between the posts, reducing the Dees’ lead to two points.

It was stretched back to nine points when the aforementioned Bannan took a mark directly in front and claimed her hat trick. Then like the proverbial see saw, the margin was cut back to two points again as Keely Sherar marked from 40m out and converted with an impressive kick.

Each side continued to apply extensive pressure on their opponents but neither team could make the breakthrough in the third term.

In the end it was Daisy Pearce who stepped up to break the drought deep into the quarter. Lily Mithen had a set shot from just inside 50and her kick was collected by Daisy in a diving mark. The skipper snuck it through and Melbourne went into the break with a handy eight point lead.

The fourth quarter turned out to be an exercise in nail biting tension for the army of Demon fans. The stress was only ratcheted up when Nicola Stevens was to get another kick off the deck five metres in front of goal and celebrated her own hat trick. Suddenly it was a one point game and the faithful watched the remainder of the match through the gaps in their fingers.

With thirty five seconds to go, every red and blue heart stopped beating truly when Darcy Vescio had a set shot to the left of goal. She missed the big target and the supporters around the ground exhaled en masse. Having dodged the late bullet, Melbourne was able to hold on to the slimmest of leads and finally claim victory when the siren sounded.

Carlton had put up one hell of of a fight but the Dees did what good sides do and found a way to win. There was an element of luck for the Blues but there was no denying their talent. They unnerved and unsettled Melbourne at various stages, especially in the final term but the girls will use the experience to improve their strengths.

They now get to enjoy a well deserved few weeks(!) off but there’ll be plenty happening behind the scenes. Our most likely opponent in the preliminary final is Brisbane, who get to play at home in their qualifier. However, the Pies have been impressive in recent weeks so who knows. Either way…

Go the mighty Dees!!!

Round 9 – Fremantle V Melbourne

Liam Chambers

What can you say about Melbourne’s performance at Optus Stadium? Okay, Fremantle players Kiara Bowers, Gabby O’Sullivan, Ebony Antonio, Kara Antonio and Emma O’Driscoll were all missing due to injury or health and safety protocols and their absence most certainly had an affect on the Dockers’ overall game plan. However, the way the Demons executed their plan was nothing short of spectacular. Their relentless pressure, tackling and determination was magnificent.

The early play showed little of the overwhelming Demon storm to come. Freo opened the scoring thanks to an opportunistic collect and drop kick from Makaela Tuhakaraina in the goal square. So far, the Dockers were dictating the terms.

Sometimes it’s easy to overlook Lauren Pearce’s contribution but the Ruck’s ability to mark and precision kick, combined with vision, has been a huge part of Melbourne’s success. But it was the other Pearce, captain Daisy, who opened the scoring; receiving a handpass from Tayla Harris, then snapping the ball into an open goal.

There was little to separate the two sides for most of the first quarter. Both teams were bringing pressure to bear on each other. Then, as so many times this season, Tayla Harris took a contested mark from 30m out. She converted perfectly to put the Dees ahead.

Within a minute, Melbourne had their third of the term as Kate Hore gathered and snapped from the 50m line, then watched the ball bounce fortuitously across the line.

The Dees headed into the second quarter with the momentum well and truly on their side. They’d been dominating uncontested possessions and inside 50s; always an ominous sign for their opponents.

From the first bounce, Melbourne was firing on all cylinders. Eliza West and Tyla Hanks again combining to drive the ball towards their forward 50. At the other end, the Demon’s defence was stellar in turning back the Dockers.

Melbourne continued to rack up the uncontested possessions and strung several together before Tayla Harris spotted Daisy Pearce near the goal square and floated the ball in her direction. Daisy took the mark and went back to slot her second.

Immediately after the bounce, the Dees took it straight back inside 50 and scrapped and scrambled for every ball until eventually Kate Hore’s kick landed in Shelley Scott’s lap. Scott turned and snapped from the edge of the goal square.

Fremantle managed to stem the attacks from the Dees until the last couple of minutes when Tayla Harris’s tap down was collected by Alyssa Bannan. The forward ran around and kicked directly into the goal.

Ominously for Freo, Melbourne tend to play their best footy in the third quarter. Would the Dockers be able to strike back or would the Demons march continue unabated? All the stats were in stacked in the Dees favour but the first five minutes of the second half would have given the Fremantle faithful reason for optimism.

That hope proved short lived as Melbourne launched yet another attack. This time Alyssa Bannan took a mark seventy metres from goal and ran on, taking a bounce and drawing the Freo players before passing the ball over their heads to the waiting Daisy Pearce. The handpass allowed the Skipper to casually stroll into the open goal, notching up her hat trick in the process.

Pearce was also involved in the next goal when she marked the ball forty metres out. She thought about the shot before glimpsing Kate Hore who ran out to take the garb. Her set shot made it two goals from two marks.

From there the Dees surged ahead. Daisy took another marked and converted. Next Casey Sherriff added her name from a similar set shot position. Then Sherriff looked like she was setting up for another before kicking to the better positioned Karen Paxman, who marked directly in front. Within two minutes, Paxy had her second and the margin stretched to a mind bending seventy points.

The quarter still wasn’t over though and Daisy Pearce iced the caked with another set shot conversion.

The three quarter time stats made grim reading for the Fremantle fans as they revealed a Melbourne side dominating in every category except tackles, which the Dockers led forty nine to forty five. It did show the home side still fighting but the battle was long won by the Dees.

Though Melbourne was determined to add to their scoreline and boost their percentage, it was unlikely that the third term would be replicated. Unsurprisingly the first five minutes remained goalless until Kate Hore popped up to receive a handpass from Lauren Pearce after a stoppage. Kate took advantage of the space to run, turn and snap for her own hat trick.

Finally, to the relief of the home fans, Fremantle scored their first goal since the opening quarter when Hayley Miller marked and scored from the edge of the square. There was no celebrations among the players though, only a resignation to their fate.

From a Demon perspective, it seemed ironic that, having recorded their biggest margin and the highest score in AFLW history, there had only been a single contribution from their leading goal goal kicker. That changed when Tayla Harris took a mark from a Kate Hore kick. Her subsequent set shot, 25m in front of goal, brought up her second of the night. Fittingly it was Harris who then struck again with her eighteenth of the season, cracking the century for Melbourne and writing the team into the history books.

There was to be a consolation for the Dockers when Maggie Maclachlan kicked her first for Freo; unfortunately reducing Melbourne’s percentage to below two hundred in the process. The Dees now sit just under Adelaide on the ladder and by the slimmest of margins.

The overall match reminded me of Melbourne’s AFL Preliminary game against Geelong last season. It was expected to be a tight contest but the Dees were ruthless in exploiting their opponents’ weaknesses. Max Gawn like Daisy Pearce, lead from the front with both Captains scoring five goals each. I don’t like to put the cart before the horse but it does seem to bode well for our finals campaign. Of course there’s still one game left in the regular season and Carlton are hitting a late stride, having won their last three games. Still…

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 8 – Melbourne V North Melbourne

Liam Chambers

Welcome to Casey Fields. Wind speed 30 kmh. Not quite blowing a gale but enough to frustrate the potential goal kickers. After Melbourne’s impressive away win against premier hopefuls Brisbane, tonight would be a fierce fight for second spot on the ladder, against another formidable opponent.

The Dees looked good early on, pushing forward but it was North who had a chance to open the scoring when Daria Bannister’s set shot was touched on the line by Tahlia Gillard.

Melbourne responded with Alyssa Bannan snapping what looked like perfect shot, only for the wind to act as proxy goalkeeper and deny the Dees. No matter. The ensuing stoppage had Jacqui Parry forcing her way out of the pack and managing a wild high kick which floated back towards goal. Kate Hore was in the right place and jumped for the contested mark. The number ten got her number eight for the season and the Dees were up and running.

Melbourne was able to double their score when Karen Paxman was the beneficiary of the confusing and inconsistent 50m rule. Paxy wasn’t complaining though and slotted from near point blank range.

With two goals versus two behinds, Melbourne was in the driving seat at the start of the second term. Within a minute however, the Dees were shaken out of their comfort zone when Jasmine Garner received the ball from an inside 50 stoppage. Her driving kick towards goal was wind assisted and crossed the line untouched.

Even though Melbourne conceded the early goal, they quickly reset, raising the intensity of their attack. All that effort was in vain though until Tayla Harris was awarded a free kick for a lingering tackle in the middle of the ground. Due to a mix up between two of North’s players as to whose kick it was, Harris was awarded a 50m penalty. Her powerful 35m kick was perfectly balanced; reading the breeze to a tee. As a result, the Dees went into the main break leading nineteen to ten.

The second half started brilliantly for Melbourne. A mixture of brute force and clever tactics drove the ball to inside 50 where Tayla Harris was waiting to receive. Harris went for the ball, was deemed held and a free awarded. The forward had no trouble kicking her second and the Dees’ lead was extended to fifteen points.

The Dees pressure was impressive and they continued to threaten their goal. The Roos had a chance or two but otherwise it was all Melbourne. One of the highlights of the quarter was when the Dees strung together a masterclass in transition play down the right side of the field. Involving five Demons, starting with Mithen to Bannan to McNamara to Mithen to Paxman to Mithen and finally to Heath whose shot from the pocket tragically hit the post. Had Shelley Heath scored, it would have been the goal of the year. That run of play epitomised the depth and strength of the Dees and why they are so dangerous.

While Melbourne had the best of the third quarter, the Roos were too good a side not to launch a fightback in the final term.

True to form, North came out swinging. All night the Dees had targeted attempts at neutralising the Roos best players. Shelley Heath again shadowed Emma Kearney, limiting the midfielder’s capacity to influence the game. North required three unanswered goals to win and Kearney would be pivotal if they were to reach that target.

Initially Melbourne had the answers to North’s persistent incursions but eventually Kaitlyn Ashmore was able to outpace Daisy Pearce and launch a rocket from 25m out. It sailed high through the uprights and the margin was back to ten points. Now the Dees would need all their skill and experience in order to contain the rampaging Roos.

Melbourne was having to play a containment game, occasionally making it up to their forward 50 but essentially just frustrating North’s efforts. Each time the visitors got the ball inside 50, the Dees were able to defuse the danger. With the minutes ticking down, Melbourne pounced on every loose ball, ensuring the Roos couldn’t get a break.

The last couple of minutes was a frantic clash of bodies inside 50 but the Dees’ wall proved impenetrable.

The win propelled Melbourne into the top two with a chance to cement that spot when they travel to Perth in Round 9. The Dockers are a good side and will have home advantage but the Dees are in the form of their footy lives and I wouldn’t bet against another upset being on the cards.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!