Went along today. Firstly (and most importantly), amazing to have the Saints colors running around at Moorabbin again.
I am sure there is some legal / insurance reason (beyond the clubs control) why attendance is capped at 8000. But for anyone who can remember Moorabbin, calling that 'capacity' is a little bit laughable. Anyway, it is what it is. Special thanks to the club staff for wandering up and down the queue handing out water, mini-footys etc. It might be a small touch, but when you are waiting outside for a little bit to even get in, it does show some appreciation.
Great also to see the amount if kids there, especially little girls in Saints colors. Would be great if we could buddy some of these kids up with the female players at training / clinics etc. Looking at the crowd, this concept is going to rely on those 6-13yo boys and girls becoming diehard supporters like the rest of us (just for the womens game)!
Have to say as a supporter the atmosphere was kinda strange. Wanted to support, but didn't automatically have the same attachment as I do to the men's team. Certainly there were some supporters watching the game and barracking, but a number of others were there for the event (rather than the game). Great start getting those people there. But interested to see how the attendances go over the next year or 2. Fingers crossed those who come along become more and more engaged.
Flicked on SEN on the way home to listen for post game analysis (given they had commentated the game). Aside from mentioning the return to Moorabbin 20 times, how large the crowd was, and some never-ending conversation about parking, there wasn't much real analysis of the game. That can certainly be improved!
As for the game, I need to preface this by saying that I am not in any way an expert on the specifics of the women's game. But from my view, I couldn't question the girls effort for a second.
One thing that did stand out was our structure (or lack thereof). When we were able to maintain some shape, especially in the forwardline, we looked pretty dangerous. Not sure of stats, but I would have thought I50s would have been almost identical. Sadly too often our forwards seemed to get sucked waaay too high, and we got killed on the intercept. Maybe that was damage limitation after the first quarter. But fingers crossed that irons itself out over the next few weeks and we actually have some forwards in place to lead at the ball carrier. Looked pretty good in the last quarter when the forwardline actually played as forwards - and not additional defenders / mids that push forward. Maybe that is just a symptom of the difference between girls and boys game (with most players not being able to kick as far) and I am just ignorant of women's footy. But geez we seemed to play better when our forwards played in the forwardline.
On that note, can anyone answer me why women's footy is played on the same size oval as men's? Seems like it would really increase scoring, and potentially open up the game, if you reduced the oval size. Women's cricket brings the rope in. Junior games / those played internationally are often played on smaller grounds. It helps. Maybe even reduce the teams by a couple more players on the field too in order to balance it out. No reason why small changes cant be made to accommodate different people playing the game. Just my 2 cents.
Anyway, given the crowd numbers and the nostalgic location, surely today must be seen by the club as a success. Honestly not sure if I will go down again this year. Maybe in years to come as the concept evolves. But very proud to be able to say I was there for the girls first AFLW game. Strongly encourage all Sainters to keep an open mind and (if you can) get down and have a look!
I am sure there is some legal / insurance reason (beyond the clubs control) why attendance is capped at 8000. But for anyone who can remember Moorabbin, calling that 'capacity' is a little bit laughable. Anyway, it is what it is. Special thanks to the club staff for wandering up and down the queue handing out water, mini-footys etc. It might be a small touch, but when you are waiting outside for a little bit to even get in, it does show some appreciation.
Great also to see the amount if kids there, especially little girls in Saints colors. Would be great if we could buddy some of these kids up with the female players at training / clinics etc. Looking at the crowd, this concept is going to rely on those 6-13yo boys and girls becoming diehard supporters like the rest of us (just for the womens game)!
Have to say as a supporter the atmosphere was kinda strange. Wanted to support, but didn't automatically have the same attachment as I do to the men's team. Certainly there were some supporters watching the game and barracking, but a number of others were there for the event (rather than the game). Great start getting those people there. But interested to see how the attendances go over the next year or 2. Fingers crossed those who come along become more and more engaged.
Flicked on SEN on the way home to listen for post game analysis (given they had commentated the game). Aside from mentioning the return to Moorabbin 20 times, how large the crowd was, and some never-ending conversation about parking, there wasn't much real analysis of the game. That can certainly be improved!
As for the game, I need to preface this by saying that I am not in any way an expert on the specifics of the women's game. But from my view, I couldn't question the girls effort for a second.
One thing that did stand out was our structure (or lack thereof). When we were able to maintain some shape, especially in the forwardline, we looked pretty dangerous. Not sure of stats, but I would have thought I50s would have been almost identical. Sadly too often our forwards seemed to get sucked waaay too high, and we got killed on the intercept. Maybe that was damage limitation after the first quarter. But fingers crossed that irons itself out over the next few weeks and we actually have some forwards in place to lead at the ball carrier. Looked pretty good in the last quarter when the forwardline actually played as forwards - and not additional defenders / mids that push forward. Maybe that is just a symptom of the difference between girls and boys game (with most players not being able to kick as far) and I am just ignorant of women's footy. But geez we seemed to play better when our forwards played in the forwardline.
On that note, can anyone answer me why women's footy is played on the same size oval as men's? Seems like it would really increase scoring, and potentially open up the game, if you reduced the oval size. Women's cricket brings the rope in. Junior games / those played internationally are often played on smaller grounds. It helps. Maybe even reduce the teams by a couple more players on the field too in order to balance it out. No reason why small changes cant be made to accommodate different people playing the game. Just my 2 cents.
Anyway, given the crowd numbers and the nostalgic location, surely today must be seen by the club as a success. Honestly not sure if I will go down again this year. Maybe in years to come as the concept evolves. But very proud to be able to say I was there for the girls first AFLW game. Strongly encourage all Sainters to keep an open mind and (if you can) get down and have a look!
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