Round 6 – Melbourne V St Kilda

Liam Chambers

Whereas the Pies kept Melbourne in their defensive half for most of Round 5, this week we had St Kilda on the back foot from the opening siren. The Saints were hemmed in and couldn’t a path out of their defensive 50. When Maddi Gay saw Daisy in the perfect goal kicking spot, Pearce was able to notch up her first major of the season.

Then as a flurry of Saints raced up the pitch, the Dees took back possession almost immediately, starting a handball chain from Paxman to Cunningham to Gay who kicked again to Pearce on the 50m line. When Daisy floated another handball to Alyssa Bannan, the forward was in a perfect position to launch a kick through the uprights.

Melbourne was tackling well and going hard, especially Tyla Hanks who has amazing equilibrium. She has a natural ability to run, turn, scoop up the ball and kick accurately, all while her opponents are turning around wondering where she’s gone. The Dees showed none of the indecisiveness that plagued their performance last week. With Eden Zanker playing so well, you could feel her frustration at not being able to score with a last minute kick hitting the post.

Only 14-0 to the good at quarter time, Melbourne could justifiably feel disappointed not to be further ahead. With thirteen inside 50s to nil, the Dees had completely dominated St Kilda but it was only a matter of time before they came under some pressure themselves.

However, Melbourne remained calm, playing their way out of trouble and up the field. Daisy’s kick from the 50m line was blocked and St Kilda ran back towards their goal. The Dees found themselves defending again. It was short lived though as Melbourne headed goalward with Pearce hand-balling to Hanks who ran, bounced and passed to Paxman who returned the favour. As Hanks launched a running kick towards the goal square she was pushed and a free was awarded. With Shelley Scott taking the set shot, the ball sailed through for the Dees’ third of the night.

Finally St Kilda got a break when some stumbling play inside 50 ended with Nat Exon somehow getting a look at goal. She went for it and claimed the Saints first of the night. Energised, St Kilda started to pile on the pressure and Melbourne started to lose some of their composure; turning the ball over and allowing the Saints to maintain possession.

Eventually the Dees managed to play their way out and made it up to the other end of the ground. With Tegan Cunningham awarded a lucky free kick from thirty metres out, she didn’t waste the opportunity. As Melbourne increased their lead in the second quarter, they would have felt confident heading into the latter half of the match.

That confidence was personified by Zanker when spun out of a tackle, effectively passed the ball to herself and delivered a beautifully targeted kick to Daisy Pearce who was waiting patiently in the goal square. Having only scored three goals during her entire career in AFLW, Pearce now had two in a single game. Kudos to the decision makers for placing her in her new role. A minute later Bannan also got her second when a running kick from Eliza McNamara dropped the ball into her path, allowing the forward to soccer kick straight through the uprights.

With a thirty one point lead the future was looking bright for the Dees. Then they had to wear shades as a thumping kick from Jacqui Parry, forty metres out, stretched the margin still further. Maddi Gay had a few chances late in the quarter but was unable to add to the tally.

Melbourne were painfully aware before the game that Round 6 was a must win contest. With a horror run home, their percentage on the table would also be pivotal. A thirty nine point advantage was a good start and they needed to keep the pressure on the Saints to make sure that lead didn’t slip.

Melbourne held St Kilda in their 50 and peppered the goal square without landing the knockout blow. Then after some rampaging play towards goal, Eliza McNamara managed to collect the ball and score her first AFLW six pointer. Eden Zanker was having a terrific game but her twentieth disposal didn’t result in a goal. It was certainly a bitter sweet moment.

The next goal was at the other end though as Claudia Whitfort got one back. It was only a fleeting turnaround for the Saints however, as Melbourne resume their dominance. When McNamara handballed to Cunningham, it looked like Tegan might get caught holding but she managed to get it away to Hore who slotted it through for the Dees’ ninth.

As the term was wrapping up, Tamara Luke was able to salvage some St Kilda pride when she grabbed the sherrin thirty five metres out and then kicked her first AFLW goal. The fourth debut goal of the night.

Next week we face the fancied Crows. It’s a home game so we have that advantage. The tipping competition has us as an 18% chance to win. Not great odds for a home game. What chance will it give us next week when we face Freo in Perth?

Anyway we can take heart from the win against St Kilda and all you can do is give each game your best. If Melbourne is good enough, they’ll make the final. There are no more more easy games so…

Go the Mighty Dees!!!!!

AFLW – Round 5 – Collingwood V Melbourne –

Liam Chambers

After last week’s disappointing loss to the Bulldogs, the Dees needed to seize the momentum early. Unfortunately it was the Pies who struck first when Chloe Molloy was awarded a set shot for an infringement.

Then there was more concern when Sinead Goldrick looked to have re injured her knee. Luckily, there seems to have been minimal damage caused. After spending the first five minutes in their defensive 50, the Dees made some headway up the field. Collingwood’s defence was too good though and Melbourne found themselves backtracking without gaining any advantage.

In each of the first three Rounds, Melbourne was dominant in the opening quarters. Even against the Dogs, we controlled the play in our half. However Collingwood took command from the start, marking and kicking well, putting Melbourne on the defensive. Whenever the Dees got too close to scoring, the Pies calmly passed and kicked their way out of trouble.

Finally, Melbourne had a chance when Maddie Gay was taken high. Her set shot went wide for a point. In the last few minutes, the Dees maintained possession but seemed plagued by indecision. When the siren sounded, we could consider ourselves lucky to be only trailing by one goal.

With Collingwood ahead in most of the first quarter statistics, Melbourne needed to knuckle down in order to reverse the trend. However it was the Pies who continued to call the shots and they were unlucky when they hit the post for a second time in the match. Melbourne were at sixes and sevens trying to fend off the attack. Even the ever reliable Daisy Pearce managed to turn the ball over when clearing from the goal square. Aishling Sheridan didn’t hesitate when gifted the chance, kicking the sherrin straight through the uprights.

With the Pies back up at their goal end after the bounce, Melbourne’s defence, normally so consistently steady, was making rookie mistakes. Then the Dees made a dash towards their own goal with Tyla Hanks marking the ball on the run. Her measured tap towards Shelley Scott was forwarded to Kate Hore who failed to take it cleanly. Her subsequent attempt to scoop up the loose ball and burst through was slammed down.

Collingwood continued upping the pressure but then the Dees had a break through on the back of some clever play. First Kate Hore marked from about thirty five metres out but decided to kick to Scott. Shelley took her set shot from a similar distance but missed to the right. Melbourne’s lack of efficiency over the last couple of games has been a bonus for their opponents. A few choice scoring opportunities went begging for the Dees in the second quarter.

Having weathered the Melbourne storm, the Pies went back on the offensive in a major attack. First Chloe Molloy kicked her second on the run before Mikala Cann grabbed the bouncing ball from a throw in and had an easy path to kick Collingwood’s fourth six pointer. While the Pies were on top form in the first half, they also made the Dees looked pedestrian. Melbourne needed to come out fighting if they wanted to get back into the game.

It was a better start for the Dees but both early shots on goal from Tyla Hanks and Sinead Goldrick sailed wide. After dominating for the first five minutes, Melbourne allowed Collingwood to break through and almost conceded another goal. Luckily Aishling Sheridan’s shot hit the post. If all three of the Pies’ strikes on the upright had gone through, the Dees would have been done and dusted by now.

Melbourne again made inroads towards their goal but were again hampered by indecision. The Dees remained goalless; a situation that didn’t alter when Mattie Gay was awarded free kick for a brilliant tackle inside 50. Alas her set shot went wide and the frustration continued in a quarter dominated by Melbourne’s possession of the footy. When Kate Hore marked and kicked to Lily Mithen who in turn kicked the ball back to Hore, it seems like a sensible decision as it placed Kate Hore in a better position in front of goal. Again though it drifted behind for a minor score.

Even when they were dominating, Melbourne seemed directionless. Their set shots kept veering either side of the target. Finally Lauren Pearce saved Demon blushes when she first marked superbly, then ran through a clear path to launch the ball towards goal.

Trailing by sixteen points Melbourne needed to re-enact the third quarter only with more accurate kicking. Regrettably it was the Pies who came out swinging and the Dees again struggled to contain them. When Chloe Molloy marked directly in front of goal and score her third, it looked too high a mountain for Melbourne to climb. The Dees seemed to have lost all confidence in front of goal. When presented with set shot chances, they increasingly opted to go short.

They desperately needed to recapture their sense of self belief. Collingwoods’ sixth goal owed as much to Melbourne’s sloppy clearing as it did to Brianna Davey’s reaction in taking advantage of the error. Davey got her second when the ball dropped in front of her in the pack. Seeing the path to goal was clear, she snapped it through to increase the lead to thirty six points. Kate Hore’s snap kick at the other end summed up Melbourne’s game, with the sherrin again floating across the front of goal.

To misquote the Bard, the Dees have of late, but wherefore they know not, lost all their mojo. I’m crossing everything that they find it before Saturday’s game against the Saints at Casey Fields. With the top five positions largely settled (barring some huge upsets) the best we can hope for is to clinch sixth spot. It will be a toss up between us, the Roos, Carlton, St Kilda and GWS.

With four games to go we have to win Round 6, then take it one match at a time. I’m sure the last two games have been an aberration; how often have we heard the word in relation to Melbourne? We’ve shown we can compete with the best teams, we just need to remember how to kick goals.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

AFLW Round 4 – Western Bulldogs V Melbourne

Liam Chambers

It was good to see a big crowd at Whitten Oval for such an important game. Melbourne started well, corralling the Bulldogs inside their defensive 50. Tyla Hanks continued her recent good form, turning and kicking accurately, picking out her teammates almost instinctively. Eden Zanker was kicking long but not as cleanly as she’d like; only picking up minor scores from her set shots. The Dees were unable to capitalise on their chances when they had their rivals on the defensive.

Then against the run of play, the Dogs pushed forward towards Melbourne’s goal and Kirsten McLeod was able score their first from a set shot. The Dees were lacking the co-ordination they displayed in their first three games but there was still some encouraging displays with Shelley Scott marking well. However, it was another veteran in Karen Paxman who opened the scoring. When Eden Zanker tumbled while marking the ball, Paxman was able to scoop it up and score with a driving kick from 35m out.

The Dogs continued to soak up Melbourne’s pressure and show a high level of efficiency when marking and kicking. They would have been happy with their performance against the wind. The Dees were tackling hard and defending well but their accuracy kept letting them down. When a huge kick from Shelley Scott was marked by Alyssa Bannan to the right of the goal post, her shot was quickly taken and sent wide. From last week’s at times meteoric performance, the Dees were often mediocre against the Dogs.

With ten inside 50s to one, we were ruing our missed opportunities. Melbourne continued to dominate but again struggled for any reward. However, Daisy Pearce was getting down and dirty in defence smothering the attack Dogs. While our opponents were conceding free kicks willy-nilly we were unable to take advantage of their errors.

Our midfield was shutting down the Dogs’ charges with Hanks tackling hard and able to scoop up the ball on the run as well as showing great vision. However, our set shots continued to miss the target. We were only able to add a couple of minor scores to our overall tally. When we put a good run of play together, it was inevitably frustrated with another behind to add to the growing stack.

When the Bulldogs scored their second, it was again against the run of play. Jessica Fitzgerald having earlier missed a set shot was able to grab the bouncing sherrin and snap it through for the Dogs’ second. Maddie Gay was having a good game but her set shot at the end of the term was off target. With the total of inside 50s now twenty one to three in Melbourne’s favour, our lack of conversion was discouraging. When the Round 5 fixtures were announced during the half time break, our game against the Dogs suddenly took on a whole new importance. We would be playing the unbeaten Pies at their Victoria Park home ground next week. No pressure then.

With the Bulldogs now going on the offensive and taking the game to Melbourne, we had to find a way to break through and gets the major scores on the board. Unfortunately, it was the Dogs who broke through again with Issy Huntington kicking cleanly for their third goal. The Dees were chasing now and needed to score quickly. Luckily a dropped mark by Tegan Cunningham spilled to Shelley Scott, who collected the crumb and snapped superbly.

Scott’s goal inspired Melbourne to push harder and last week’s hero Jacqui Parry also snapped at goal but sent her shot wide for another minor. The point brought the teams level on the scoreboard. The joy was short lived however when Huntington launch a forceful kick from thirty five metres out which rolled between the uprights after a favourable bounce.

While the Dees were searching for answers, the Dogs were growing in confidence which wouldn’t have been dented by Niamh McEvoy’s miss after the siren. The ten scoring shots to five in the Dees’ favour, showed how efficient the Dogs had been in front of goal all afternoon. They would come into the final quarter knowing it was their match to lose.

Melbourne only trailed by five points but the psychological gap was infinitely wider. Showing skill and creativity, Tyla Hanks handballed over to Maddie Gay who turned and kicked beautifully to Lily Mithen who gathered the mark. However the ensuing kick was inaccurate and wasted, showing it was just not happening for the Dees. When Tegan Cunningham kick behind for Melbourne’s ninth minor point, we all felt the pain.

That pain became even more acute when Ellie Blackburn took advantage at the other end to kick a running goal and stretch the margin to ten points. Karen Paxman almost dribbled one through when a diving save, soccer style, by defender Ashleigh Guest spoiled the celebrations. Paxman threw her head back to look up at the heavens and ask “what do I have to do?!”

Then with their tails up, it was all the Dogs. Melbourne was struggling to look like a contenders, especially when Jessica Fitzgerald got her second and the Dogs’ sixth to put the result beyond any doubt. In their previous encounters this season, The Dees have found a way to win, even when being subjected to extreme pressure from the Roos in last week’s epic encounter. I don’t know why we couldn’t put away our chances against the Dogs but it really hurts us in the first three quarters.

By the final term, the Dogs had grown so much in self belief that it would have taken a super human effort for Melbourne to prevail. I’m sure Kate Hore’s absence had an affect but it doesn’t fully explain our below par performance. I often wonder why we play better as the underdogs? Possibly less expectation. If that’s true, then we should play brilliantly against Collingwood on Sunday.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Liam Chambers

I’m not sure what the players had for breakfast but both sides began at a frenetic pace that barely slowed for the entire game.

Kate Hore had an early chance but only managed a minor score. Karen Paxman was typically on form apart from a miskick back across goal which was collected by North Melbourne, allowing Grace Campbell a set shot in front of goal. Then Melbourne were penalised for not returning the footy and Emma Kearney slotted the Roos’ second.

The Dees would have been frustrated to give the opposition two easy goals so early in the game but they fought on, tackling hard. They were rewarded when Shelley Scott marked the ball thirty five metres out but disappointedly converted for a minor score. Then Kate Hore’s banana kick from the sideline was marked by Jacqui Parry from the pack in front of goal. Her easy miss from Round 2 would have been in the back of her mind, however she didn’t miss this time and Melbourne went in at quarter time only trailing by four points.

The second term started at 100mph. Jacqui Parry continued to mark well and her passing play was impressive. You could see the Dees upping their game as Kate Hore kicked their second. When Tegan Cunningham marked and scored from thirty metres, the margin stretched to eight points. Melbourne’s tackling was ferocious and effective; especially Lily Mithen who seemed to be everywhere. Niamh McEvoy’s kick to Scott was marked and kicked for one of the goals of the match.

The Dees onslaught was interrupted briefly when Daisy Bateman got one back. North Melbourne were good in defence but the Dees were making the most of their opportunities. Parry didn’t waste her chance when she was awarded a free kick twenty metres in front of goal. Melbourne was pouncing on everything and everything was going their way. Tegan Cunningham got her second from another free to increase the lead to twenty points. However the icing on the quarter came when Parry launched a superb running kick in the last minute of the term to score her hat trick.

After an incredible second term, the Dees needed to be careful not to let their guard against such a quality opposition. However, nothing was going to stop the Roos’ attempt to redress the balance. Jasmine Garner’s opening goal of the second half was an important strike for North Melbourne and put the Dees on notice as the margin was reduced back to twenty points.

The Roos were going in hard and Melbourne struggled to hold them off despite the valiant effort in defence. Daria Bannister was channeling Alyssa Bannan from last week when she scored back to back goals for North Melbourne in less than a minute. With Dees nerve’s fluttering, Karen Paxman provided the perfect antidote with her kick from thirty five metres in front of goal.

The Roos continued to push hard but Melbourne’s defence fought equally hard. Unfortunately Sinead Goldrick gave away a free kick in front of goal and Sophie Abbatangelo didn’t miss from point blank range. With the difference only seven points North Melbourne threw everything at their goal. The Dees were equally motivated to prevent a last minute tragedy. Then Goldrick redeemed herself brilliantly by marking the ball in front of goal with only seconds to go.

Melbourne knew they couldn’t afford to sit back trying to protect their lead for the full final term so they went in hard to try and sew up the result. Now it was North Melbourne’s turn to scramble in defence as the Dees tackled hard, hoping to get the upper hand. With the Roos getting a break against the run of play, Captain Daisy Pearce, stellar in defence all night, made an important smother and chased the attack to the sideline. The Dees defence was in overdrive.

Suddenly back up the other end, Casey Sherriff tried a soccer kick at goal but only just missed, slipping wide for a minor. Just as suddenly, the Roos were on the of Melbourne’s defensive inside 50 and Isabella Eddey received a good pass before kicking directly into goal and reducing the Dees’ lead to two points.

Melbourne went on the offensive, desperate not to lose, having been twenty seven points ahead at half time. Alyssa Bannan has a chance from 35 metres out but only managed a minor score. The Dees kept pushing forward and the Roos, under extreme pressure, got a lucky break when a high tackle on Goldrick was overlooked by the Umpire. Instead a free was awarded to North Melbourne. The Roos made it all the way to their inside 50 with ninety seconds left but a free kick was given Melbourne’s way.

It was back and forth for the next minute until Bannan snared a free kick on the sideline half way down the pitch. As the ball made it’s way towards the uprights, Bannan reappeared but her kick to goal is touched. However Shelley Scott was taken high as she scrambled for possession. As the siren sounded, it was all academic but Scott took two steps and kicked beautifully to give Melbourne a nine point win.

The victory put the Dees on top of the table for the second Saturday night in a row. This time though, their position was less precarious as they claimed three wins from three games. Last week I felt we were being sorely underestimated when the tipping competition had us a 17% chance to win. Fast forward a week and we’re currently an 82% chance to defeat the Bulldogs on Sunday.

The Dogs have two wins under their belt and a close loss against the Saints, so they won’t be a pushover. If we can play sustain the fighting spirit and skill that’s got us this far, then we’re in a good position to make it an unprecedented four wins in a row.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

AFLW – Heaven 17 – Melbourne v North

Liam Chambers

With the breeze at their back in the first term and an away win last week, the Dees could have been forgiven for feeling confident. However, they were on the back foot from the opening minute when Sabrina Frederick snared the ball from the pack in front of goal. Tegan Cunningham, sitting on the bench, could only look on as Frederick put the Tigers on the score sheet.

Melbourne was possibly a little complacent against the unfancied Tigers but were quickly shaken out of their comfort zone by a determined opposition. While Richmond were going full throttle, Melbourne scrambled to get into their forward half. When they succeeded, ex Dee Harriet Cordner was there to spoil the play and pick up the wayward sherrin. Why do our former players always try extra hard against us?

Richmond was looking in total control until Tegan Cunningham marked and converted from a tight angle, using the breeze to her advantage. However, even though Richmond were kicking and marking well, they fumbled and dropped important marks in their forward fifty. The Dees had to go hard and fast to contain the Tiger’s onslaught but Daisy Pearce and Tyla Hanks in particular were making important interceptions.

Sinead Goldrick showed great kicking ability to get the ball to Shelley Scott, who marked it beautifully but unfortunately couldn’t convert. A clever kick to Courtney Wakefield almost gave Richmond a confidence boosting goal after the siren but it was just outside her range.

After being dominated for the best part of the opening quarter, we needed to strike back early on. On cue, Alyssa Bannan duly obliged. First by taking a mark from an excellent Jacqui Parry kick, which she converted for her first goal. Then, less than a minute later she took another mark, this time from a booming long kick courtesy of Shelley Scott and notched up her second AFLW goal.

Richmond could have been forgiven if they viewed these events as a setback but they continued to play on with even more determination. It was testament to Melbourne’s experience that they were able to contain the waves of aggressive play from the Tigers. The veterans Daisy Pearce and Karen Paxman have showed no signs of slowing this year and Shelley Scott almost added to the score sheet but was unable to hit the target.

With Krstel Petrevski continuing her good form from last week, there was some promising signs from the young guns. While we still scrambled in defence, we frustrated the Tigers, who just couldn’t get the reward for all their intense effort. When Katie Brennan hit the post near the end of the term, I almost felt sorry for Richmond. Almost.

With a two goal buffer, Melbourne need to consolidate their lead at the start of the second half. The in form Lily Mithen’s kick to Kate Hore was cleverly tapped off the outside of her boot to extend the Dees lead. An unfortunate injury for Krstel Petrevski saw her limping off the field, having to be supported after what looked like a damaged hamstring. Hopefully it doesn’t spell the end of her season. Our bad luck continued when Jacqui Parry, having marked beautifully in front of goal missed from her ensuing set shot.

Tyla Hanks, always under the radar, continued to show great vision and kicking ability. The Tigers were pouncing on everything though, not giving Melbourne any free passes. Kate Hore was lucky to be awarded a free kick for a dubious sling tackle in front of goal. She wasn’t complaining though and took advantage of the opportunity to kick her second goal and give the Dees a comfortable twenty three point lead heading into the final quarter.

Richmond surged again, continually pushing into Melbourne’s defence but couldn’t quite break through. Though the Dees scrambled, they looked very dangerous when they got the chance to push forward. Karen Paxman’s superb kick to Eden Zanker was beautifully marked but was a wasted opportunity with the Dees unable take advantage.

At the other end the Tigers weren’t paid for Harriet Cordner’s tackle as their run of bad luck continued. Even though Richmond looked the better side at times, it was the Dees’ experience that showed. Lily Mithen was having a good game, turning and kicking, frustrating the Tigers. Then a brilliant Tegan Cunningham mark on the edge of the 50m line, eventuated in Shelley Scott marking the ball to the left of goal. Scott doesn’t missed too many set shots from that position.

With the game in the bag, Melbourne relaxed and were marking better, able to slow the play to their advantage. Even in a mad goal square melee, Shelley Scott was able to flick the ball out to another veteran in Karen Paxman. Paxman didn’t waste any time snapping the loose ball between the uprights.

Richmond fans would have been truly frustrated to see their team play so well and lose so badly. Finally though, after the Tigers threw everything at Melbourne, Sarah Hosking got a break and put through Richmond’s second from a set shot.

We face North Melbourne in Round 3 at Casey Fields but we are the undisputed underdogs and the tipping competition gives us a 17% chance of a win. The Roos will be the real deal but I seriously object to being given such a miserly chance of success. Come on Dees! Let’s wear our 17% with pride and kick some Kangaroo butt!