Melbourne 2–0 For Perfect Start To Season

Liam Chambers

Tayla Harris gets her eye in

Tayla Harris got the Dees off to a perfect start when she ran in to take mark at the top of the square. It was an easy conversion from there and put Melbourne on the board in the first minute of play. Harris made it two from two when she marked on the arc, before being awarded a 50m penalty.

Against the run of play, St Kilda kicked their first major at the eight minute mark when J’Noemi Anderson was awarded a free in the pocket. She went back to take the kick, comfortably slotting the goal.

After a very promising start, the Dees were struggling to land another goal. They continued to dominate their opponents, but a third major was proving elusive.

Dees kick five unanswered goals

Tayla Harris was quick off the mark in term two, being awarded a free kick after a strong tackle inside 50. She hit the target with the 35m set shot and the Demons were seventeen points in front.  Melbourne continued their high pressure game, with the Saints being contained in their defensive half, only making occasionally incursions inside their forward 50.

Eden Zanker got in on the action, when she marked at the top of the square, after some clever play by Melbourne to get the ball inside 50. Zanker converted and it was a twenty two point advantage to the home side. Georgia Gall made it three for the quarter and five for the game when she marked the sherrin from a precise Kate Hore kick. The key forward made short work of set shot and the Dees were twenty eight ahead.

At this stage, Melbourne had basically set up camp in their forward 50, dominating the Saints and dictating the terms. The next major came quickly, with Kate Hore again providing the kick that set up the goal; this time it was Tayla Harris who marked the ball, next to the square. Harris then ran on and slotted her fourth.

Towards the end of the quarter, Liv Purcell limped off the ground after an injury sustained in a tackle. It seems that she had damaged her ACL and will miss the rest of the season. Not good news for Purcell or the Dees. The talented and resilient player had previously played in a mask after suffering facial injuries last year. Hopefully she will play in 2026, fully recovered.

Just before half time, veteran Paxy Paxman scored a rare goal when she received a handpass from Kate Hore (who else) and then snapped a bender through the uprights.

Saints rally, but a couple of late Melbourne goals breaks their momentum

St Kilda finally had a second goal when Georgia Patrikios was awarded a free inside 50, and made sure with the 20m set shot. The Saints had started to build a little momentum, but the thirty six point deficit looked to be too difficult a hill too climb for the visitors.

When Eden Zanker marked at the top of the square, then went back to slot the goal, St Kilda’s game plan became that much more difficult. When Kate Hore was taken high 15m out, she didn’t waste the opportunity to add to her career goal tally, and easily slotted the set shot.

Demons wrap it up with another four majors

Leading by forty nine at the start of the final term, Melbourne had it all sewn up. The only unknown was how big the margin would be at the final siren. Georgia Gall ensured that it would be over fifty points, when she knocked down the incoming ball, then collected on the bounce, before chipping it into the square where it bounce across the line. Lily Johnson pushed it past sixty when she received the handball just inside 50, then running on before kicking from 35m sending the sherrin over the line.

In case you were wondering where Alyssa Bannen was hiding throughout the match, she suddenly popped up with six minutes to go and launched from the arc, sending the ball all the way to the goal line, where it also bounced across the line. Worried that Megan Fitzsimmon was missing out, Eden Zanker scooped up the ground ball 30m out and passed it to the midfielder, who launched and scored.

In the end, Melbourne won by seventy four points. It was a clinical display and puts the other teams on notice that the Demons will be hard to beat this year.

Next up is Collingwood. A win against the old enemy would be icing on the cake and taste very sweet indeed.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Dominant Demons’ Display

Liam Chambers

Dees take control after a slow start

Having just missed out on a finals berth last year, the Dees were highly motivated to win the opening game of the season against one of their oldest rivals.

After a low scoring opening twelve minutes where neither side was able to make the most of the limited opportunities, Melbourne kicked their first goal courtesy of Shelley Heath. The talented midfielder was awarded a free for a tackle on Britney Gutknecht, who was pinged for an incorrect disposal. The set shot was cleanly taken, and the Dees were five points in front.

After the goal, Melbourne dominated for the remaining five minutes of the term, but were unable to score another major, instead adding a couple of points to their tally.

Melbourne contain the Dogs and take the momentum into half time

The first few minutes of the second quarter showed the Dees starting to control the ball and then the territory, while the Dogs struggled to manage the Demons’ onslaught.

The pressure paid off early when Kate Hore took a mark in the pocket and converted to extend the Dees’ lead to thirteen points. Alyssa Bannen only needs a sniff of a goal to take a shot, and her snap from 20m crossed the line and Melbourne’s advantage stretched out to eighteen.

The Bulldogs had to wait until halfway through the second term to kick their first goal, but when it eventually arrived, it was spectacular. Heidi Woodley found just enough space in the pack to quickly turn and snap, sending the sherrin through the posts. The goal energised the Dogs, and the home crowd were on their feet, willing their side to capitalise on their new found momentum.

The Demons had their hands full dealing with the Bulldogs pressure, but they dealt with the offensive and then went on the counter attack, swamping their rivals’ defence, but ultimately unable to put any more goals on the scoreboard before halftime.

Dees kick four unanswered goals

After the main break, it didn’t take long for Melbourne to extend their lead. Eden Zanker took control of the tapped down ball after it was hammered inside 50. Then the key forward ran on before launching from 35m and sending the ball across the line.

Unfortunately, Tayla Harris was subbed off with an eye injury. Fortunately though, Harris has made a full recovery.

As the term wore on, the Demons continued to dominate territory, and their pressure went to another level.

Tyla Hanks is one of the hardest working midfielders in AFLW, and it paid off when she was able to control the ball, then find the space to snap a shot from 15m out, scoring Melbourne’s fifth goal of the match.

By now, the Dees were totally dominating the play, easily dealing with attacks on their defence and launching counter offensives with ease. Then, they were awarded a free on the edge of 50 and opted to play on, with Hanks kicking to Kate Hore, who couldn’t take the initial mark, but recovered quickly to snap the sherrin across the line.

With a game high lead of thirty two points, Melbourne was in a very comfortable position.

The next goal was a masterclass in transitioning the ball. They started from their defensive 50, going right up the ground, before presenting Eden Zanker with another goal scoring opportunity. Zanker had two attempts at controlling the sherrin inside 50, but was successful with her second stab, and then it was just a straightforward tap across the line.

Melbourne win all four quarters for a thumping victory

With Melbourne leading by thirty nine points at the start of the final quarter, the Dogs needed to do something special and quickly if they were to get back in the game.

Liv Purcell had an impressive thirty disposals under the belt, when she finally got her name on the board, scoring with a running snap from 35m out.

The Bulldogs then had a few chances to claw a couple back before Tyla Hanks landed her second goal; grabbing the ball from a stoppage on the 50m arc and running through, before launching from 30m.

It was the perfect start to the competition for the Demons, and it bodes well as we endeavour to land a finals berth in November.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 10 – Hawthorn V Narrm

Dees Determined But Unable To Overcome Hawks

Liam Chambers

Narrm start strongly but Hawthorn has solid finish

The Demons have remained undefeated since losing that infamous game to Essendon in Round 5. A win against the highly fancied contenders Hawthorn would see us on the cusp of another finals appearance.

The Hawks have only lost one game all season and are looking more impressive with each passing week. To add to our woes both Kate Hore and Gabby Colvin were unavailable to play due to injury. However, the Dees have recently rediscover their famous grit and determination and Hawthorn would be foolish to believe that the game was in the bag.

Narrm started well, putting pressure on the Hawks defence. Their passing and marking showing a growing confidence in their gameplan. The Demons had their first major when Georgia Gall took a strong contested mark in the pocket, then went back to kick her fifth of the season.

It didn’t take long for Hawthorne to respond when Bridie Hipwood was awarded a dubious free kick in front of goal. Jasmine Fleming gave her side the lead when she made sure with her 30m set shot. After their second goal, the Hawks moved up a gear and Narrm had to defend desperately for the final few minutes of the term.

Hawthorn take control

After the break, Hawthorn came out blazing but the Dees handled the onslaught with composure and even managed to get the ball to Alyssa Bannan in the pocket, where the high scoring forward took the uncontested mark. Bannan’s shot missed by a whisker but the signs were good for Narrm.

Then the Hawks got another lucky break when Aine McDonagh got a kick away 15m out. The ball landed in the square where it bounced fortuitously before crossing the line. Hawthorn was straight back inside 50 after the bounce and even had another look at goal. This time Bridie Hipwell’s shot veered right.

However, the hosts were now in the driver’s seat and the Dees would have to knuckle down and try to stem the tide flowing against them. Aine McDonagh also had another set shot from the pocket but was off target and Narrm had another lucky escape.

Hawthorn spent the rest of the quarter hammering the Demons’ defence but were unable to extend their lead.

Narrm keep their chances alive

Despite trailing by thirteen points at the start of the second half, Narrm were playing well but the Hawks had done a good job of closing down any potential pathways to goal.

Hawthorn continued to dominate play but could only score minor points when they had the chance to really put the result beyond any doubt.

Then, against the run of play, Alyssa Bannan found herself deep inside 50 with only Laura Elliot for company. She had time to pick up the ground ball and tapped it towards goal where it bounced in the square and dribbled across the line.

Now that Narrm had reduced the margin to ten points, there was a chance they could overcome the Hawks if they were able to get themselves into potential scoring positions. Alyssa Bannan had another opportunity a couple of minutes later but it just slipped through on the wrong side of the upright.

Hawthorn again dominated the last few minutes, but Narrm held on to contain the Hawks’ lead to a manageable nine points.

Hawthorn hold on for victory

The Hawks were determined to put the Demons away early in the final quarter but Narrm wasn’t being very cooperative.

Alyssa Bannan had a chance to make it a three point game but her kick from the pocket went astray. Olivia Purcell then tried to make it a two point game, but her effort was touched on the line.

With five minutes left on the clock, Sinead Goldrick copped a knock to the back of the head and was taken off the ground for assessment. Hopefully she hasn’t suffered too much damage and will be available to the Dees’ last match of the season.

Finally Lily Mithen almost made it a one point game, but she just missed with her set shot and then Hawthorn survived the last minute Demon offensive to win the game by just six points.

We play Collingwood in the last round of the season and we need to win, but just as importantly, we need Essendon to lose. They’re playing Carlton who haven’t been at their best in 2024 but it would be ironic indeed if the team that did so much damage to our percentage was also the one that got us into the finals by losing their last game.

If we win against the Pies, there’ll be a nervous wait for Demon fans sweating on the outcome of the Bombers versus Blues game.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 9 – Melbourne V Richmond

Demons Keep On Trucking

Liam Chambers

Momentum swings back and forth

After the shock sixty five point loss to Essendon in Round 5, the Dees had since won three in a row to keep their faint finals hopes alive. Richmond by contrast, had only suffered two losses; one to league leaders North Melbourne. Victory against another top five side would definitely boost our chances.

The Tigers looked impressive going forward and it seemed certain to score first, which they did almost by accidence. Eilish Sheerin scooped up the ground ball, then snapped around the corner. The sherrin initially bounced about 15m out, then continued to bounce inside the square and eventually crossed the line.

After the centre bounce, Richmond was straight back inside 50. They had a couple of chances to add to their goal tally but were unable find the target.

Then Melbourne found a pathway up the ground where the quick thinking Alyssa Bannan picked up the stationery ball and immediately snapped it through the middle.

The Dees had back to back majors when Georgia Gall took a diving mark in the pocket. Always calm under pressure, the key forward made the difficult shot look easy, giving her side their second of the quarter.

The momentum had now swung Melbourne’s way and they were applying some serious pressure to the Tigers’ defence. Just before quarter time however, the momentum went back Richmond’s way when Ellie McKenzie sprinted from the centre of the ground to inside 50, where she launched goalward and slotted the Tigers’ second.

But wait, there’s more. With under six seconds on the clock, Alyssa Bannan again picked up the ground ball and kicked her second; this time off the outside of her boot to give Melbourne back the lead.

Dees edge ahead

After the siren, the Tigers went straight into attack mode. Melbourne weathered the initial storm and then headed off to their forward 50.

Despite some intense pressure from both sides, it was a low scoring quarter, with only a single point to Richmond with less than five minutes to play.

Then Eden Zanker took a contested mark on the edge of the square and went back to kick the Dees’ fourth of the game.

Tigers throw it all at Melbourne

Melbourne was in a good position at the start of the second half. They were playing well and dealing with the Tigers pressure plus making the most of their chances when they presented.

With just over a minute played, Alyssa Bannan was presented with another scoring opportunity after marking the ball in the pocket. It was a difficult shot from the boundary line but it was a great finish from Bannan and the Dees were seventeen points in front.

From there it was all Richmond with Melbourne making the occasional incursion inside 50. The Tigers couldn’t connect with the goal however and the Dees still held a sixteen point lead at three quarter time.

Exciting high scoring last quarter but Melbourne prevails

Richmond had another high energy start but Melbourne was again equal to the task.

The brilliant Tyla Hanks doesn’t score many goals but the opener of the final term was perfection. Having initiated the transition from the centre to inside 50, she received the ball back and sidestepped her opponents before slotting the ball from 15m out.

The next goal was Alyssa Bannan’s easiest of the afternoon when she was awarded a free kick and had a set shot from point blank range

Melbourne’s last goal was as a result of a play on to advantage when Olivia Purcell picked up the ball and ran on before passing to Georgia Gall in the square. The tall forward then tapped it across the line.

The Tigers didn’t give up though and Caitlin Greiser made the most of her set shot in front of goal to reduce the margin to twenty six points. Incredibly, with just under two minutes remaining, Caitlin Greiser got another goal. This time she grabbed the ball just next to the goal line and tapped it over. Then it was three goals in three minutes when Greiser snapped another from the pocket.

The win made it four in a row for the Dees. Our next game is against Hawthorn, who are second on the ladder.

It will take a great effort from the players, but on current form I wouldn’t rule anything out.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 7 – Adelaide V Melbourne

The Sweetest Victory of All

Liam Chambers

Melbourne ferocious in the opening quarter

Back in August, expectations were high that Melbourne would play finals for a sixth consecutive season. Then as the list of injuries grew longer with each passing game, those expectations were tempered.

Last week’s victory against GWS reignited a flicker of hope in the hearts of the faithful. Wiser heads cautioned against such folly but maybe there was still a chance.

With just over a minute played, Alyssa Bannan again had the chance to score the opening goal. It was a good effort but she was pushed off the kick and the ball went the wrong side of the upright.

Five minutes later, the Dees did get their first goal when Georgia Campbell was awarded a 50m penalty and slotted her set shot from 30m out.

Melbourne’s second was less straightforward, with Alyssa Bannan kicking her 35m shot from deep in the pocket. The result was the same though and the Demons were thirteen points ahead.

The visitors were not allowing Adelaide the chance to play a fluid game, tackling hard and jumping on any sign of creative play. The hosts were clearly frustrated by the unwanted attention and the signs were promising from Melbourne.

The Crows had one of their best chances to score right at the end of the term, but fortunately were beaten by the siren.

The Dees resist the Adelaide tornado

After the break, Adelaide came out with a renewed sense of purpose, controlling territory early, but Melbourne met them head on before making some incursion of their own.
The pressure from the Dees was telling, as Adelaide were unable to play their natural game and mis kicking when they needed to get into scoring positions.

There was no doubting the Crows’ fervor but they were unable to reap the rewards, as Melbourne was just as intense in their defensive 50.

When Danielle Ponter was awarded a free kick in front of goal, after being allegedly being held by Maeve Chaplin, it looked like Adelaide was a shoe in to score their first goal. Then, it looked like a case of the footy gods intervening to right a wrong when Ponter hit the post from a seemingly unmissable distance of 10m.

While the Crows were working overtime in an attempt to secure a major before half time, the Melbourne troops were sprinting to douse every spot fire Adelaide was lighting, preventing an inferno from reaching their goal square.

Adelaide can’t maintain the momentum

The Dees had played arguably their best half of football all season. The question now was could they continue in the same vein and secure a famous victory against one of the most consistent team in the competition.

After failing to score a goal in the first half, Adelaide finally secured their first major when Madison Newman took an uncontested mark in the pocket and converted to take her side to within four points of the Dees.

After the center bounce, Adelaide was straight back inside 50. Melbourne was composed under pressure and succeeded in getting the ball back down the ground.

The Crows had the momentum, but they still couldn’t quite make the Dees pay by conceding another goal. As the clock ticked down, the balance shifted from total dominance to a more even competition, as Melbourne was able to slow down the game and make inroads into Adelaide’s defensive 50.

Then in the final few minutes of the term, the Crows again swamped the Dees’ defence in an effort to take the lead into the final quarter. Melbourne was heroic and their back line held up admirably to deny Adelaide.

Melbourne absorb the tsunami to claim victory

While the Crows had been slowly chipping away at Melbourne’s lead, they couldn’t land the killer blow and the Dees just needed to maintain the rage to cause one of the upsets of the season.

By the five minute mark, Melbourne had been continually under siege but had held firm against the intense pressure. Adelaide was using every weapon in their arsenal but nothing was working.

Melbourne eventually got the ball out of their defensive half but it kept returning and it seemed inevitable the Crows would eventually secure another goal.

It didn’t happen and the Dees continued to tackle and defend like their lives depended upon not conceding another goal.

When the final siren sounded, Melbourne could be justifiably proud of securing the win against what at times seemed like insurmountable odds. Our defence in particular was outstanding but overall, our team was nothing short of brilliant.

Next game is against another top eight side in St Kilda. After our performance against the Crows, the Saints won’t be underestimating us and we shouldn’t underestimate them; they’ve had an extra day to recover and will have home ground advantage. Our side will be brimming with confidence though and I’m optimistic we can still keep the dream alive.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!