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!!!