Our season is finally underway with a good win over the 'Aints down at Moorabbin. The question now is, who do we play next week? Do we play next week? Where will we play next weekend?
Considering that we have had 1 game at home and 2 away, the favourite venue would be Ikon Park, but that is only probability speaking. We could be playing anywhere.
More than likely, the game should be against another Victorian club, due to the travel restrictions.
Considering that most games have been on Saturdays, it is likely that we'll again play on a Saturday. I won't complain about that. I'll be happy as it gives me a chance of getting to the game.
There does not appear to have been any injuries come out of yesterday's game. Therefore, it is reasonable to suggest that the team may remain pretty much the same.
However, there was supposed to be a VFLW practice match yesterday, allowing the rest of the girls a chance of impressing. A smart way of approaching things is to select horses for courses, but we don't tend to do that much.
It could be as late as Thursday before we know much about this. The covid situation and how the state government reacts to it will probably make the AFL leery about making any early decisions. Considering that it is still is still a better than even chance of having restrictions continue longer than Wednesday, I don't expect to know very much for some time. :'(
This is something that i'm worrying about.
I think we will play, but considering the AFLW teams don't play everyone once the AFL has too much say in its fixturing.
Do they want Carlton to play finals? Schedule us against Richmond.
Do they want Carlton to miss finals? Schedule us against North Melbourne.
Who you play determines your fate. Who you play is determined by the AFL.
I don't like it.
Well.....it looks like they want us to play Finals as we have been scheduled against Richmond.
Alternatively, Collingwood is scheduled against North Melbourne (although Dees did just beat North).
Tigers still winless in this competition.
Well.....it looks like they want us to play Finals as we have been scheduled against Richmond.
Alternatively, Collingwood is scheduled against North Melbourne (although Dees did just beat North).
Tigers still winless in this competition.
I am very surprised that the AFL have been so proactive. I wasn't expecting to know who we we'd be playing until maybe Thursday!
I really want us to beat Richmond. Their girls team is much like their boys: pushing the edge with their 'tackles'. If they want to see a really tough team, not a bunch of thugs, then they should look at us: we have more run-down tackles than anyone else.
Thanks, Kruddler, for editing the title.
Battle of the Hoskings this week.
They are still living together and making life.....interesting....this week with some pranks.
https://womens.afl/news/61194/gotcha-prankster-twins-ready-to-get-serious-in-first-face-off
Letting go of Sarah is looking like a massive stuff up at this stage.
Letting go of Sarah is looking like a massive stuff up at this stage.
Jesse might well follow.
I can understand the problem having twins on a AFL list, there would be no respite for them, or from them. It probably makes sense to split them up, but I'm not sure it can work.
I dont think them being twins has anything to do with it. The girls were very good with our fans and I used to enjoy their videos.
They also play footy "the right way".
I think once Sarah moved on, the departure of Jesse becomes inevitable, as IDs they'll probably look at maximising combined income now.
For me the key issue is pace. Losing Sarah on top of missing Dalton and Walker this season has cost us dearly, our fast ball movement is not so effective when we lack players who have pace to expand the chain. Without the pace the chain of disposals moves too slowly so each possession has poor separation from the last and is under pressure, we have far less space than last season.
Secondly, Gee has been the focus of the oppositions fastest defender every week, opponents use to have to make a decision but now the easy choice is made for them.
Finally, we are little bit less efficient by hand this season, we are not as crisp at hitting targets in close and it shows in fumbles and double takes, compounding the lack of pace issue.
I heard Jess and Sarah on the wireless this week. They are looking forward to playing against each other and both seem very comfortable with Sarah’s change of club.
Letting go of Sarah is looking like a massive stuff up at this stage.
Not that we had a choice in the matter, she wanted to go.
I flagged this over a year ago when i broke the AFLW signings story before it came public.
I noted that it was weird that Sarah only signed 1 year, and Jess signed two.
Sarah was the better player who had the body to keep her out on the ground....but Jess got the longer deal.
Sarah was solely in charge of the BTG podcast. This year its been divided up into 4 hosts, 1 of which is Jess.
I've been at club functions on gameday where Jess was doing interviews with AFL players.
Jess has been recognised for all her charity work outside of the club.
Jess has put it upon herself to cook up enough pasta to feed all the girls, and coaches on multiple occassions.....off her own bat....usually to keep herself involved in the club when injured, but not always.
TBH, of the two, IMHO, Jess offers more to the club than Sarah ever did. I'm not sure why Sarah wanted out, but i'd be very surprised if Jess left.
If she ever did leave, i suspect it would be to St. Kilda because thats who she grew up supporting. (Sarah too)
...and as far as on-field goes. Jess is fit and performing on there too.
Jesse might well follow.
I can understand the problem having twins on a AFL list, there would be no respite for them, or from them. It probably makes sense to split them up, but I'm not sure it can work.
If we accept that splitting twins like this is not good for them, then the Roos should send Ben McKay over to us at the end of the year to be our next full back. It's the least we can do for their well-being.
Teams...
In: Jessica Edwards
Out: Katie Loynes (managed)
Backs: Kerryn Harrington Gab Pound
Half-backs: Mua Laloifi Charlotte Wilson Madeline Guerin
Centreline: Lauren Brazzale Grace Egan Jessica Edwards
Half-forwards: Mimi Hill Nicola Stevens Jess Hosking
Forwards: Darcy Vescio Tayla Harris
Followers: Breann Moody Elise O'Dea Madison Prespakis
Interchange: Abbie McKay Daisy Walker Georgia Gee Alison Downie Lucy McEvoy
Emergencies: Serena Gibbs Natalie Plane
Good to see Gibbs getting on the emergencies list. I suspect Al Downie might be 'managed' ala Katie Loynes in the coming weeks to give Gibbs her shot.
CARLTON
B: K.Harrington 9 G.Pound 6
HB: V.Laloifi 8 C.Wilson 20 M.Guerin 18
C: L.Brazzale 12 G.Egan 1 J.Edwards 25
HF: M.Hill 10 N.Stevens 21 J.Hosking 11
F: D.Vescio 3 T.Harris 7
R: B.Moody 16 E.O'Dea 46 M.Prespakis 4
Int: A.McKay 5 D.Walker 23 G.Gee 19 A.Downie 30 L.McEvoy 13
Emerg: S.Gibbs 33 N.Plane 32
In: J.Edwards
Out: K.Loynes (managed)
RICHMOND
B: R.Miller 15 H.Cordner 23
HB: P.Monahan 2 S.D'Arcy 12 I.Ross 21
C: K.Dempsey 19 S.Hosking 7 T.Lavey 37
HF: C.Wakefield 8 E.McKenzie 22 K.Brennan 3
F: T.Stahl 24 S.Frederick 14
Foll: G.Seymour 28 K.Jacques 10 M.Conti 4
I/C: S.Sansonetti 18 H.Burchell 9 S.Dargan 17 S.Molan 1 M.Brancatisano 5
Emerg: C.Bernardi 6 L.McClelland 16
No changes
Jess Edwards to play on Conti or Sarah Hosking?
Jess Edwards to play on Conti or Sarah Hosking?
Conti would be too dangerous and Sarah wouldn't be worth a tag IMO. She gets the hard ball and will continue to do that tag or otherwise.
I reckon Edwards will go to Brennan.
She doesn't like a tag, and if left free can cost you the win.
Conti is the one we need to stop, not sure we have someone capable of doing it, but i wouldn't mind seeing Gee lineup on her which would allow Gee to be free and hurt Conti the other way.
If i was the tigers though, i'd be tagging Gee, so they might not want that to happen.
Commentators doing a number on Prespakis for tackling Sarah Hosking with vigour, but the side on video showed there was nothing in it, yet the commentators (Kelli Underwood?) keep calling it a spear tackle!
Prespakis is actually below Sarah.H in the tackle, and Sarah tries to jump through the tackle which contributes to the tackle momentum.
Beat up the game Kelli, not the players!
Commentators doing a number on Prespakis for tackling Sarah Hosking with vigour, but the side on video showed there was nothing in it, yet the commentators (Kelli Underwood?) keep calling it a spear tackle!
Prespakis is actually below Sarah.H in the tackle, and Sarah tries to jump through the tackle which contributes to the tackle momentum.
Beat up the game Kelli, not the players!
It doesn't look good initially but when you factor in momentum of Hosking and Prespakis on her knees it becomes 50/50... fortunately Hosking seemed unhurt, which will be factored into. Hopefully just a warning.
Beginning to see that our gals are maybe not nearly as good as we thought.
Hung on by less than a kick against the lowly Tigresses. Bank the points and move on.
Hung on by less than a kick against the lowly Tigresses. Bank the points and move on.
Tigers haven't been as bad as media make out, their loses are in the head now not the game style.
Our handball is pretty sub-standard compared to a lot of opposition, not in the tactic but the execution, our technique is awful like we've been training for handball using finger-breaking concrete bollards! I think across the board this where the biggest improvement lies for AFLW, I'm not expecting 30m bullet like handballs, but those 3m to 5m disposals can improve greatly and the first team that gets it right is going run rings around opponents.
I thought the Tiggers were pretty poor, achieving only low scores. Be very interested in the Krudmeister's take on our performance and how we should have done against the Tiggers.
I thought the Tiggers were pretty poor, achieving only low scores. Be very interested in the Krudmeister's take on our performance and how we should have done against the Tiggers.
The Tigers have played some great quarters of football, I think they haven't really had the team structure to beat the better sides, the game style is quite good when they get on a role.
I thought the Tiggers were pretty poor, achieving only low scores. Be very interested in the Krudmeister's take on our performance and how we should have done against the Tiggers.
I have watched a few of the Tiggers games, Mrs G2C is friends with Ellie McKenzie's mum so more to watch how she's goes (very well I might add). They have been unlucky to not have won a game yet. As one of the commentators said today, watching them today you wouldn't have thought its a team that hasn't won a game.
As for the Blues, anyone who thinks they'll win the flag this year is very much mistaken. They are playing nothing like the 2020. Lucky to win to really. If not for Vescio's turning it on, it would have been a different story.
That was a bit more of an arm wrestle than I was expecting. The Tigers have a lot of talent and it's surprising that they haven't cracked it for a win. Geelong should be their first victim.
Some very dubious umpiring helped the Tigers stay in touch. The free against Laloifi when Stahle headbutted her was pathetic!
It was nice to see Vescio at her best. She is unstoppable when she's in that form.
I thought the Tiggers were pretty poor, achieving only low scores. Be very interested in the Krudmeister's take on our performance and how we should have done against the Tiggers.
Tigers haven't won a game......ever.
But, they are not a poor side. They have plenty of talented players, they just haven't played enough together.
They nearly beat the pies last week and played very well today. Given the short season, they won't make finals this year, but put your money on them for next year because they will make finals. Nobody knows who they play next week, but they will win against 80% of the league despite their record.
I called it pre-game that Conti was too good to tag and that Brennan was the one we needed to worry about. She has underperformed due to injury in her career, but when fit, she is amongst the game elite. We couldn't stop her, but we limited her influence....just enough. I called for Jess Edwards to play on Brennan as, 1. Edwards has little influence on the game offensively, and 2. because her best games have been as a stopper (Kept Erin Phillips to 1 goal previously). But we went with Harrington, largely, and still got beaten. Edwards on the other hand was barely sighted all game. Back to the stands next week IMO.
Of our girls....
Grace Egan is going from strength to strength. Every week she looks more like she belongs. Has class, vision and good disposal. Just needs a touch more urgency at times as she does get caught. But, still in our bests.
Abbie McKay is not the same player she was pre-2021. She is a beast who belongs. She ran around with Sarah Hosking for most of the game and matched her for hardness as well as ball winning ability. Having a great year.
Darcy Vescio proves she isn't passed it (Thank Kelli Underwood ::) ) far from it. She just needs opportunity. Her disposal count has been lacking in previous games, but her 1%ers are always high. Often doing the team things that lead to goals, this game she was on the end of some. Of course it helps that her old mate, and podcast co-host, O'Dea looks for her at every opportunity. It helps O'Dea has the skills to find her too.
Prespakis....doesn't know how to fail. Another BOG for mine. 2 goals, plenty of clearances, and touches....majority of which are lace out to a teammate. I don't think she should be in trouble for her 2 tackles on Sarah. If they get cited, there is an equally bad example of a (sling) tackle on her less than a minute before the Hosking one that should be looked at too. Thankfully Prespakis fell flat on her back and not her head, but it was dangerous none the less.
Georgia Gee....like Vescio...she doesn't need to do much, her pressure and 1%ers are always there, but with her smarts and skills, a handful of touches from her leads to goals to others. Like Vescio, she only had it 9 times, but those 9 count. She wears the same number, and plays the same position, as the great man Eddie Betts. She is about as influential and damaging with the ball in hand as him too.
Jess Hosking played about her best game to date and had =3rd amount of touches behind Egan and Mon Conti. She's had a big week and it could've been easy for her to get lost in the buildup, but she not only delivered, she took it to a new level. My only issue with her was she put purple in the shampoo bottle and not Navy Blue. ;) How good would it have been with Sarah running out with blue hair! ;D
McEvoy deserves a mention too. Coming back from a fractured cheekbone she wasn't herself last week. She admitted to not getting tackled and not laying a tackle last week. 2nd week back and all that nervousness was gone. Back in the contest, using her body and slinging out those handballs to teammates. Welcome back.
Plenty of other girls deserve a mention...but i'll give one to the coach.
Half nailed it after the first quarter. He realised we weren't focused on the game, the contest, the moment, and shook them out of it and the girls responded. I've been telling everyone every week that the girls have more hunger and heart than our boys have shown. They don't give up....ever....and won't die wondering. Kudos for delivering yet again, despite the poor first quarter.
Some very dubious umpiring helped the Tigers stay in touch. The free against Laloifi when Stahle headbutted her was pathetic!
That free and another one around the same time and it made me think that not only were the commentators biased towards the tigers, but the umps were too.
There was a couple more iffy ones from there, but in the end it wasn't so bad.
That free and another one around the same time and it made me think that not only were the commentators biased towards the tigers, but the umps were too.
There was a couple more iffy ones from there, but in the end it wasn't so bad.
There were a few absolute shockers that should get the Umpires dropped. Don't know if they will, but I am not surprised the commentators were biased towards the Tiggers. They were last week as well.
I can't see why: Richmond's game style has a lot of sling tackles in it, not to mention going for the player, not the ball. I am quite happy to see them continue losing.
Sitting out in the sun today on the southern wing was not what I was expecting. When my daughter and I left our new home in North Ringwood, there were drops of rain and no breaks in the clouds. By the time the game started, the clouds were gone and we were baking.
There was a lot to learn from this game:
[1] We are not as good as we were last year.
Our defence was almost impenetrable last season. All of the players were playing well, had great confidence in themselves and in their team mates and they caught teams unaware. This season I don't think any of our defenders is close to their 2020 form. Harrington is well down and is being beaten in the air. Last year she provided huge amounts of run. This year she has had to defend a lot more and has not got the sort of ball she had last year. Mua was a revelation last year. She's been reasonable, but she hasn't had the number of intercept marks. She has also had to play more defensively. Charlotte Wilson killed everyone last year. She took bigger, stronger or faster opponents to the cleaners. This year she hasn't played anywhere near as well and has been very fumbly and her kicking has been inconsistent.
Lauren Brazzale and Gab Pound haven't had the same affect as they did last year either.
[2] Our handball has not been all that good, especially considering how much we depend on it for our ball movement. It was noticeable today that Richmond tended to break tackles and give the ball off better, while we generally didn't. Our handballs missed targets. Pace and strength?
We are one of the youngest lists going around, even though we have a few very experienced players.
A big positive for Richmond was that they are trying to play like their male team. It means that they are thuggish sometimes, but their attack on the ball was better than ours. And sometimes we panicked and suffered for it.
[3] Our disposal by foot is still an issue. We don't hit targets far too often. One of the worst offenders today was Abby McKay. I loved her attack on the ball, but her kicks all slices off to the right.
[4] Our forward are good enough if we give them a better than 50% chance of getting the ball.
Taylor Harris didn't have a big game, as she got her marks and kicks too far from goal, but she continually out-marked her opponents. If we could get the ball to her more efficiently, she could have got more than a few.
On the other hand, Darcy Vescio killed her opponents and hit the scoreboard. Our foward structure today allowed her to lead and we honoured the lead (for a change). She had 6 shots on goal and should have had at least 5 goals. The two misses in the 1st quarter were simply unprofessional.
Nik Stevens also had a much better game, and was really dangerous. She still drops too many marks and fumbles at the wrong time, but she was not as bad in that area today and really had an impact.
[5] Pagan's Paddock and Long Kicking: We are playing a very North Melbourne style of game, where we try to play Pagan's Paddock. Fair enough, but it hasn't worked well this year for 2 main reasons. The first is that without Chloe Dalton and Brooke Walker, we haven't been able to use our pace and run into uncontested goals. The 2nd is that our kicking depth hasn't been there. Last year we got the ball over the top often. This year we have been kicking the ball directly to our competition. One thing is that we do not seem to have a girl running from defence or midfield who can clear the pack.
I don't know that I would continue this style of forward movement if it isn't going to work. We need to re-evaluate this. I must admit that we have improved in that area. The first two weeks we were awful in this this area, not even getting in front most of the time, we simply kicked the ball directly to the opposition. The last two we have not turned the ball over as regularly.
[6] Grace Egan is growing as a player, especially with the opposition trying to blanket Prespakis. But she has to realize that not every possessions should be sidewise or backwards. She ran the wrong way about 4 or 5 times, before eventually turning around. Sometimes the quick kick out of the centre is just the thing our forwards need!
[7] Jess Hosking was very good today, especially in those tight, pressure moments. I think she was far more effective than her twin today.
@ crash Thankyou for your comprehensive report. It's always great to hear from someone attending the game.
If, like many suggested, we're Premiership contenders, we've got a lot of adjustment to be made. We've yet to have a convincing win, and haven't put together 4qs yet. We have had some very good qs but that's about it. We're sorely missing the run and link up of Dalton.
I really hope the girls find their mojo next week. If they play 4qs, they can match it with most. Although Freo is a force.
It's been a disappointment difficult to cop when you consider how dominant we looked until last season abruptly finished. In some respects, chalk and cheese. We look like a side, which if it gets a good run (play the bottom sides!!) might finish around 6th, but more likely to finish about where we are...
Massive thanks to Captain CRASH and the KRUDmeister for their comprehensive knowledge of the gals and their subsequent reports... really appreciated lads.
I’m not convinced that we are off the pace. I suspect that there has been substantial improvement in most teams and the competition is more even than it has been. We really should have beaten Collingwood in round 1 and now they’re one of the flag favourites.
It was pretty clear that our mindset wasn’t right in the first quarter. Harf’s bake at quarter time turned things around and that’s not his usual modus operandi. Giving the opposition a quarter with minds off the game is tantamount to conceding the game and our effort in clawing back the lead and holding on for the win was outstanding.
I’m sure that Harf will be ensuring that the girls have the minds on the game from the first bounce.
That free and another one around the same time and it made me think that not only were the commentators biased towards the tigers, but the umps were too.
There was a couple more iffy ones from there, but in the end it wasn't so bad.
I’m sure that the frees evened out and I understand why the girls are given more leeway with illegal disposal/holding the ball. However, the umpires’ inconsistency and when and where frees were or weren’t paid seemed to favour Richmond.
For example, Downey’s tackle on Conti when the latter tried to take her on was clearly holding the ball. A free to Downey would have meant another inside 50 entry for us. There’s also the psychological impact of the opposition’s best player being bested in a one on one contest. Play on in that situation gives Richmond an advantage.
@crashlander Thanks for the report, it's always good to get live feedback as the broadcast shows such a limited field of view.
Jess Hosking got votes off me for this game, primarily I thought her efforts early kept us in the game when the rest of the team looked to be running at half pace. It was a bizarre game, it looked like we had a big Friday night and were still hungover!
I can't believe how many of our girls broke from stoppages and ran the wrong way, is that a sign something is up with the team?
I think last year was very debilitating for a lot of people and that being the best version of yourself is tricky.
The girls are hardly pros as well. It makes it tough for the entire competition. It would also take a bit of a hit to have been robbed at a flag chance in your second consecutive grand final by calling the season last year and confidence might be 3/4 of the issue. It will be interesting to see how the girls respond from here.
I can't believe how many of our girls broke from stoppages and ran the wrong way, is that a sign something is up with the team?
Realistically, it only happened once.
Egan ran the other way from stoppages many times, but all but 1 were on purpose. The one that wasn't was on the far wing....and it was in the first minute of the quarter. I've done that before. :-*
Realistically, it only happened once.
Egan ran the other way from stoppages many times, but all but 1 were on purpose. The one that wasn't was on the far wing....and it was in the first minute of the quarter. I've done that before. :-*
I'm not sure it was only once that wasn't deliberate for Egan, and Prespakis did it as well(She was the first), team-mates signalled to them to change direction, there was a 3rd but I'm not sure who the player was so I won't name anyone in case I slander someone.
Interested to know if
@crashlander noticed these events.
It sort of sticks in the memory because it's something you generally see so very rarely, perhaps once per team per season, and I think we had at least three in this one game!
btw., I'm not punishing them for it, it happens especially to mids who get knocked around a bit, and Nthmond tried hard to play brutal footy, but it's perhaps a warning sign that we weren't switched on and ready for the intensity Nthmond brought.
It's interesting that the coaches' votes went to Vescio, Prespakis and Harrington. I don't think any of the keen observers here had Kerryn in their votes.
I just had a quick look at the game again and Kerryn was effective, gave her opponent limited opportunities and got some important possessions at crucial times. She was also very noticeable in her encouragement of her teammates and influencing the tempo of the game. Votes for a captain's game? I think so.
It's interesting that the coaches' votes went to Vescio, Prespakis and Harrington. I don't think any of the keen observers here had Kerryn in their votes.
I just had a quick look at the game again and Kerryn was effective, gave her opponent limited opportunities and got some important possessions at crucial times. She was also very noticeable in her encouragement of her teammates and influencing the tempo of the game. Votes for a captain's game? I think so.
I noticed that too.
She is always good and stops her opponent more often than not.
She is still up to the dominant standard she provided last year that earned her a spot in the AA team.
Similarly, a week (or 2?) ago, Gee got coaches votes and i think i was the only one who gave her votes ;D
I tend to keep an eye on the votes and as a group we are pretty bang on each week. This Harrington one is by far the biggest oversight we've had as a group.
I tend to keep an eye on the votes and as a group we are pretty bang on each week. This Harrington one is by far the biggest oversight we've had as a group.
Coaches often penalise players for mistakes, so you get kids like Egan that got a heap of footy but made a couple of clangers not getting votes. Harrington played a solid game, especially early, and didn't make too many mistakes. But I can't claim she had the same impact on the result as Prespakis, Egan or Hosking. That's why when I thought about giving Wilson, Harrington and Vescio 1 vote but didn't because it would be wrong to cut one of the others out, the three I voted for kept us in the game when the rest of the team wasn't playing well.
Tigers haven't won a game......ever.
But, they are not a poor side. They have plenty of talented players, they just haven't played enough together.
They nearly beat the pies last week and played very well today. Given the short season, they won't make finals this year, but put your money on them for next year because they will make finals. Nobody knows who they play next week, but they will win against 80% of the league despite their record.
Nailed it!
Looking at the score from tonights game.
40 points up at the start of the last quarter.
Cats had 1 scoring shot so far. :-*
Nailed it!
Looking at the score from tonights game.
40 points up at the start of the last quarter.
Cats had 1 scoring shot so far. :-*
I just hope we play the Cats soon. :) :)
I just hope we play the Cats soon. :) :)
The longer they go without a win, the more of a 'danger game' the cats will become.
BTW.....its not down to 'dumb luck' that there are 2 games this week where both teams are yet to win a game. (Cats vs Tigers and Eagles vs Suns) and i reckon the Cats will play the loser of the other game next week. The AFL doesn't want to see 4 teams with donuts down the bottom of the ladder.
And its not surprise to see the 2 undefeated teams play against eachother this week either (Pies vs Dockers). EDIT: They must've changed this game from what i saw announced initially. Now its Pies vs Dees and Dockers vs Lions. Covid related?
What's the bet the AFL will come out and say how 'even' the comp is in the next couple of weeks after doctoring the fixtures to facilitate this.