Remove this Banner Ad

AFLW West Coast Womens 2025

  • Thread starter Thread starter Biggie
  • Start date Start date
  • Tagged users Tagged users None

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

The irony of todays game was if the AFLW draft had stayed the same last year and you had to nominate whether you wanted to go interstate or not, Riggs most likely would've been a Power player since Scholz and Rasheed were the only South Aussies taken ahead of her and Port had three picks after Adelaide's first pick.
 
Hate to say it, as I know she is a favourite, but Kavanagh for Rowley has to be a possibility. 6 possessions and she played a big chunk of midfield minutes. Kavanagh didn't set the world on fire first game, but, first game. We need to see more, and I don't know who else comes out for her.

However, no change is still most likely outcome.
Of course Rowley follows up with her best game.
 

Log in to remove this Banner Ad

It's time.
For what it’s worth, Freo’s only win was by 22 points against Port in Adelaide. Freo have gotten belted the past few weeks but Brisbane, North and Sydney is a pretty tough gauntlet to run (even though the Lions are 2-2). Definitely our best chance at breaking the derby hoo-doo but they are better than their record and percentage would suggest.
 

Gonna be a lot of clubs that drafted in the teens and early 20s wondering why they passed on her. Looked an absolute steal at the time and today’s performance confirms that.

Thumping kick, which I didn’t realise. First goal sailed thru into the wind from 40m and the second travelled about 50m with the wind, but it didn’t even look like she was trying to thump it long.
 
First quarter the general movement was good - far better balance of handball/kicking than last week. That being said, still not clinical at all going forwards - bit fumbly forward of centre. Riggs/Lingdren both happy to fly at it and provide a contest in the air, which like last week freed up Lakfer to tackle/pressure at ground level. Our system defensively was a bit off - their first two goals came from silly defending from us and were easily preventable. Schofield mentioned a few times throughout the game that we were the slower team to set up defensively, which was a fair call, we looked a little caught out at times.

Umpires seemed to have thrown away the HTB interpretation they've been going with this season - did always think they'd correct it but of course they overcorrected in the space of one game. Players looked a little confused early on about when to actually pick up the ball, which is never a great look for the game.

2nd and 3rd quarters a grind. Weirdly for a more high scoring game than the last few weeks (and while fumbly, nowhere near as bad as the St Kilda game), I actually didn't find this one as good to watch. Tactically there felt like less going on, less acts of individual brilliance, more just two good but not great teams feeling each other out.

That all being said, it's bloody awesome how our mindset ATM allows us to chase down leads. We're looking fit, energized and confident. Last quarter was awesome, and our forward entries looked more potent than they have all season. Lots of the I50s didn't pay off but they still put pressure on their defence by coming in fast, deep or both. Really liked what I saw in an area that's been our main concern this season. Also a great sign of growing maturity and leadership throughout the squad that we were able to just keep playing the way we wanted to play, and capitalise on when it came off in the end.


Individuals:

Outstanding first goal for Riggs. She's a powerful athlete and loved that she went for it - exact type of play we needed. Too often we don't take space in a straight line when it's in front of us - awesome game sense from her. Her second goal was a little flukey but just knowing that her kick is a weapon is so reassuring - key forwards who can actually kick long range goals are worth their weight in gold. Keep her fwd forever please please please.

View attachment batch_processss.mp4

Lingdren wasn't a big presence. I like her but think I can see why she hasn't been drafted before now - she's got those vibes of a very very good state player who just doesn't quite have the talent or physical attributes for the top level.

Gee Scholz is a freak. Actually think Lakay rucked really well against her, but when she hits 25-26 there'll be no stopping her at all. Good game from Lakay - again a slight issue of her/McGrath being good rucks but non entities when not rucking. McGrath I do still love, but when she's not on top in the hitouts, her effectiveness drops off dramatically. We desperately need Lakay to get Dean Cox fit going forward so we can pair her with someone more versatile in a few years.

Western is becoming a bit of a concern. She's a good athlete, good team player, gets the most out of herself and is the type of player we need - but I just don't think she's that good at footy. The difference in game sense between her and the draftees is really noticeable.

Rowley played really well in the midfield. She's tough, doesn't fumble much, probably the biggest concern in her career thus far is does she have the capability to increase her production? Today answered this IMO. Has genuine midfield craft. Top in clearances and centre clearances today.

View attachment batch_processss_15.mp4

Rentsch playing on Houghton was an interesting move. She was able to sprint away from her offensively a few times - but generally I prefer seeing Rentsch in the middle of the ground. Obviously a balance thing and allowed Rowley to play mid more but still not my favourite spot for her. Houghton outmuscled her a few times. I also think that while we saw a bit more carry and dash from her than in recent weeks, she could benefit from taking an extra step or two and keeping composed - a few times she got fully in the clear but then hacked it on the boot when she could have gained another 20m by running it.

Gibson had by far her best game of the season. Playing with real flair, stepping around players and actually being offensive - not everything came off but she at least used the ball aggressively and made their defenders panic. Sometimes you just need to attack the goals rather than being too cute 45m out.

Roberts played probably the most boring game of her career and was still one of the best to watch. Lots of inside handballs and linkups in transition chains. It's such an impressive feat that she can adjust where and how she's playing to get around what the opposition are doing to her. Would still like a Bushby, Lewis, Britton etc to really focus in on Ella's direct opponent and give them grief - going forwards we want Ella to be as damaging as possible and not ever need to be the inside handball operator.

Drennan was great, good weight of possessions. Swanson was the fumbliest I've seen her in years. Roux was brilliant, love how she attacks it in the air and takes the game on.

Cleaver plays the game like a classic netball GD. Intercepts, uses her body to gain the best position, then runs up the ground to offer a follow-up lead. Super important for us this year. She does do this weird thing where, when the ball's on the deck, she circles it for a bit waiting for the best time to pick it up. Probably a good move not to get caught HTB but a few times the Port player just knocked it on while Cleaver was standing over it and she'd get caught out. Not the worst thing in the world but optically I'd probably rather just see her grab it with confidence, even if she does get caught HTB once or twice.

Both Wakfers were really solid. Like last week, Lauren got involved through the hard, physical stuff at ground level - she's not anywhere near as good as Riggs at flying/competing for it in the air as a key forward. Didn't realise she'd only kicked 2 goals in her 25 games, definitely needs to up that tally. But am slowly seeing her as less of a tall forward and more of a mid sized option in the way she plays - having actual aerialists like Riggs around her will help get the best out of her IMO. Loved these types of efforts:

View attachment batch_processss_16.mp4

View attachment batch_processss_17.mp4

And like every week, Dalgleish impressed. Today didn't always go her way - this was probably her least clean, fumbliest game for the season, yet she'd still pull off efforts like this one.

View attachment batch_processss_18.mp4

Generally/overall this felt like the most balanced our team has been all season. The forwardline looks straighter with Riggs, Lewis IMO should play this exact mix of mid/fwd, Rowley looked good in the middle, Painter/Roberts rotated well and played workmanlike games, backline held up relatively well. This feels like the general blueprint for how we want to play, will just need to build on it and get better.
 

I don't think daisy is going anywhere. Loves the place.
 

I don't think daisy is going anywhere. Loves the place.

What an absolute blessing and a gold mine this woman's been since she walked through the door. Give her all the money and all the years to keep her here.
 
First quarter the general movement was good - far better balance of handball/kicking than last week. That being said, still not clinical at all going forwards - bit fumbly forward of centre. Riggs/Lingdren both happy to fly at it and provide a contest in the air, which like last week freed up Lakfer to tackle/pressure at ground level. Our system defensively was a bit off - their first two goals came from silly defending from us and were easily preventable. Schofield mentioned a few times throughout the game that we were the slower team to set up defensively, which was a fair call, we looked a little caught out at times.

Umpires seemed to have thrown away the HTB interpretation they've been going with this season - did always think they'd correct it but of course they overcorrected in the space of one game. Players looked a little confused early on about when to actually pick up the ball, which is never a great look for the game.

2nd and 3rd quarters a grind. Weirdly for a more high scoring game than the last few weeks (and while fumbly, nowhere near as bad as the St Kilda game), I actually didn't find this one as good to watch. Tactically there felt like less going on, less acts of individual brilliance, more just two good but not great teams feeling each other out.

That all being said, it's bloody awesome how our mindset ATM allows us to chase down leads. We're looking fit, energized and confident. Last quarter was awesome, and our forward entries looked more potent than they have all season. Lots of the I50s didn't pay off but they still put pressure on their defence by coming in fast, deep or both. Really liked what I saw in an area that's been our main concern this season. Also a great sign of growing maturity and leadership throughout the squad that we were able to just keep playing the way we wanted to play, and capitalise on when it came off in the end.


Individuals:

Outstanding first goal for Riggs. She's a powerful athlete and loved that she went for it - exact type of play we needed. Too often we don't take space in a straight line when it's in front of us - awesome game sense from her. Her second goal was a little flukey but just knowing that her kick is a weapon is so reassuring - key forwards who can actually kick long range goals are worth their weight in gold. Keep her fwd forever please please please.

View attachment 2419883

Lingdren wasn't a big presence. I like her but think I can see why she hasn't been drafted before now - she's got those vibes of a very very good state player who just doesn't quite have the talent or physical attributes for the top level.

Gee Scholz is a freak. Actually think Lakay rucked really well against her, but when she hits 25-26 there'll be no stopping her at all. Good game from Lakay - again a slight issue of her/McGrath being good rucks but non entities when not rucking. McGrath I do still love, but when she's not on top in the hitouts, her effectiveness drops off dramatically. We desperately need Lakay to get Dean Cox fit going forward so we can pair her with someone more versatile in a few years.

Western is becoming a bit of a concern. She's a good athlete, good team player, gets the most out of herself and is the type of player we need - but I just don't think she's that good at footy. The difference in game sense between her and the draftees is really noticeable.

Rowley played really well in the midfield. She's tough, doesn't fumble much, probably the biggest concern in her career thus far is does she have the capability to increase her production? Today answered this IMO. Has genuine midfield craft. Top in clearances and centre clearances today.

View attachment 2419882

Rentsch playing on Houghton was an interesting move. She was able to sprint away from her offensively a few times - but generally I prefer seeing Rentsch in the middle of the ground. Obviously a balance thing and allowed Rowley to play mid more but still not my favourite spot for her. Houghton outmuscled her a few times. I also think that while we saw a bit more carry and dash from her than in recent weeks, she could benefit from taking an extra step or two and keeping composed - a few times she got fully in the clear but then hacked it on the boot when she could have gained another 20m by running it.

Gibson had by far her best game of the season. Playing with real flair, stepping around players and actually being offensive - not everything came off but she at least used the ball aggressively and made their defenders panic. Sometimes you just need to attack the goals rather than being too cute 45m out.

Roberts played probably the most boring game of her career and was still one of the best to watch. Lots of inside handballs and linkups in transition chains. It's such an impressive feat that she can adjust where and how she's playing to get around what the opposition are doing to her. Would still like a Bushby, Lewis, Britton etc to really focus in on Ella's direct opponent and give them grief - going forwards we want Ella to be as damaging as possible and not ever need to be the inside handball operator.

Drennan was great, good weight of possessions. Swanson was the fumbliest I've seen her in years. Roux was brilliant, love how she attacks it in the air and takes the game on.

Cleaver plays the game like a classic netball GD. Intercepts, uses her body to gain the best position, then runs up the ground to offer a follow-up lead. Super important for us this year. She does do this weird thing where, when the ball's on the deck, she circles it for a bit waiting for the best time to pick it up. Probably a good move not to get caught HTB but a few times the Port player just knocked it on while Cleaver was standing over it and she'd get caught out. Not the worst thing in the world but optically I'd probably rather just see her grab it with confidence, even if she does get caught HTB once or twice.

Both Wakfers were really solid. Like last week, Lauren got involved through the hard, physical stuff at ground level - she's not anywhere near as good as Riggs at flying/competing for it in the air as a key forward. Didn't realise she'd only kicked 2 goals in her 25 games, definitely needs to up that tally. But am slowly seeing her as less of a tall forward and more of a mid sized option in the way she plays - having actual aerialists like Riggs around her will help get the best out of her IMO. Loved these types of efforts:

View attachment 2419881

View attachment 2419880

And like every week, Dalgleish impressed. Today didn't always go her way - this was probably her least clean, fumbliest game for the season, yet she'd still pull off efforts like this one.

View attachment 2419879

Generally/overall this felt like the most balanced our team has been all season. The forwardline looks straighter with Riggs, Lewis IMO should play this exact mix of mid/fwd, Rowley looked good in the middle, Painter/Roberts rotated well and played workmanlike games, backline held up relatively well. This feels like the general blueprint for how we want to play, will just need to build on it and get better.

Yeah, wasn't Dalgleish's cleanest game, but what I liked was she was straight back onto the ball a split second later either putting pressure on a Port player or scooping the ball back out to a teammate. She didn't hit the scoreboard but had 3 direct goal assists which is all you ever want of your zippy little forward.

That last video you posted of her goal assist to Bushby was /chef's kiss. Why having a passable opposite foot is so valuable.
 
Last edited:
First quarter the general movement was good - far better balance of handball/kicking than last week. That being said, still not clinical at all going forwards - bit fumbly forward of centre. Riggs/Lingdren both happy to fly at it and provide a contest in the air, which like last week freed up Lakfer to tackle/pressure at ground level. Our system defensively was a bit off - their first two goals came from silly defending from us and were easily preventable. Schofield mentioned a few times throughout the game that we were the slower team to set up defensively, which was a fair call, we looked a little caught out at times.

Umpires seemed to have thrown away the HTB interpretation they've been going with this season - did always think they'd correct it but of course they overcorrected in the space of one game. Players looked a little confused early on about when to actually pick up the ball, which is never a great look for the game.

2nd and 3rd quarters a grind. Weirdly for a more high scoring game than the last few weeks (and while fumbly, nowhere near as bad as the St Kilda game), I actually didn't find this one as good to watch. Tactically there felt like less going on, less acts of individual brilliance, more just two good but not great teams feeling each other out.

That all being said, it's bloody awesome how our mindset ATM allows us to chase down leads. We're looking fit, energized and confident. Last quarter was awesome, and our forward entries looked more potent than they have all season. Lots of the I50s didn't pay off but they still put pressure on their defence by coming in fast, deep or both. Really liked what I saw in an area that's been our main concern this season. Also a great sign of growing maturity and leadership throughout the squad that we were able to just keep playing the way we wanted to play, and capitalise on when it came off in the end.


Individuals:

Outstanding first goal for Riggs. She's a powerful athlete and loved that she went for it - exact type of play we needed. Too often we don't take space in a straight line when it's in front of us - awesome game sense from her. Her second goal was a little flukey but just knowing that her kick is a weapon is so reassuring - key forwards who can actually kick long range goals are worth their weight in gold. Keep her fwd forever please please please.

View attachment 2419883

Lingdren wasn't a big presence. I like her but think I can see why she hasn't been drafted before now - she's got those vibes of a very very good state player who just doesn't quite have the talent or physical attributes for the top level.

Gee Scholz is a freak. Actually think Lakay rucked really well against her, but when she hits 25-26 there'll be no stopping her at all. Good game from Lakay - again a slight issue of her/McGrath being good rucks but non entities when not rucking. McGrath I do still love, but when she's not on top in the hitouts, her effectiveness drops off dramatically. We desperately need Lakay to get Dean Cox fit going forward so we can pair her with someone more versatile in a few years.

Western is becoming a bit of a concern. She's a good athlete, good team player, gets the most out of herself and is the type of player we need - but I just don't think she's that good at footy. The difference in game sense between her and the draftees is really noticeable.

Rowley played really well in the midfield. She's tough, doesn't fumble much, probably the biggest concern in her career thus far is does she have the capability to increase her production? Today answered this IMO. Has genuine midfield craft. Top in clearances and centre clearances today.

View attachment 2419882

Rentsch playing on Houghton was an interesting move. She was able to sprint away from her offensively a few times - but generally I prefer seeing Rentsch in the middle of the ground. Obviously a balance thing and allowed Rowley to play mid more but still not my favourite spot for her. Houghton outmuscled her a few times. I also think that while we saw a bit more carry and dash from her than in recent weeks, she could benefit from taking an extra step or two and keeping composed - a few times she got fully in the clear but then hacked it on the boot when she could have gained another 20m by running it.

Gibson had by far her best game of the season. Playing with real flair, stepping around players and actually being offensive - not everything came off but she at least used the ball aggressively and made their defenders panic. Sometimes you just need to attack the goals rather than being too cute 45m out.

Roberts played probably the most boring game of her career and was still one of the best to watch. Lots of inside handballs and linkups in transition chains. It's such an impressive feat that she can adjust where and how she's playing to get around what the opposition are doing to her. Would still like a Bushby, Lewis, Britton etc to really focus in on Ella's direct opponent and give them grief - going forwards we want Ella to be as damaging as possible and not ever need to be the inside handball operator.

Drennan was great, good weight of possessions. Swanson was the fumbliest I've seen her in years. Roux was brilliant, love how she attacks it in the air and takes the game on.

Cleaver plays the game like a classic netball GD. Intercepts, uses her body to gain the best position, then runs up the ground to offer a follow-up lead. Super important for us this year. She does do this weird thing where, when the ball's on the deck, she circles it for a bit waiting for the best time to pick it up. Probably a good move not to get caught HTB but a few times the Port player just knocked it on while Cleaver was standing over it and she'd get caught out. Not the worst thing in the world but optically I'd probably rather just see her grab it with confidence, even if she does get caught HTB once or twice.

Both Wakfers were really solid. Like last week, Lauren got involved through the hard, physical stuff at ground level - she's not anywhere near as good as Riggs at flying/competing for it in the air as a key forward. Didn't realise she'd only kicked 2 goals in her 25 games, definitely needs to up that tally. But am slowly seeing her as less of a tall forward and more of a mid sized option in the way she plays - having actual aerialists like Riggs around her will help get the best out of her IMO. Loved these types of efforts:

View attachment 2419881

View attachment 2419880

And like every week, Dalgleish impressed. Today didn't always go her way - this was probably her least clean, fumbliest game for the season, yet she'd still pull off efforts like this one.

View attachment 2419879

Generally/overall this felt like the most balanced our team has been all season. The forwardline looks straighter with Riggs, Lewis IMO should play this exact mix of mid/fwd, Rowley looked good in the middle, Painter/Roberts rotated well and played workmanlike games, backline held up relatively well. This feels like the general blueprint for how we want to play, will just need to build on it and get better.
Agree with most of your comments but I thought Western played really well 🤷‍♂️

Dalgleish was rarely seen in the first half but small forwards are like that, sometimes the ball just doesn’t come to their area or bounce the right way when they’re crumbing. She still keeps managing to find a way to pop-up and contribute to 2-3 goals a game, either off her own boot or creating for one of her teammates. She also had a passage of play up the wing, I think maybe in the third quarter, where she had a genuine 1-on-1 with a bigger and stronger opponent who was in better position initially, but Dalgleish just managed to keep scrapping after it and split the contest, I think the ball went out of bounds for a throw in. I thought that was great to see, her work rate to halve the contest when it would have been really easy for the Port player to just get control and start the ball back the other way.
 
Western is becoming a bit of a concern. She's a good athlete, good team player, gets the most out of herself and is the type of player we need - but I just don't think she's that good at footy. The difference in game sense between her and the draftees is really noticeable.

I think this is the best version of Western we’ve seen yet, but I agree with the assessment. She’s growing into it year on year and starting to get some consistent moments each game with run and carry…and I still just think there’s a hard ceiling on her as a footballer.

But the pressure is up, the tackling from her has lifted, and where our list is at they’re not all going to be All Aus just yet. We’ll be taking another big step if we have drafted enough talent to hold her out of the side consistently next year (and she’s not remotely near the chopping block for me just yet if we’re doing ins and outs, if healthy she will surely play 10-12 games).
 

Remove this Banner Ad

Would also like to say that in that passage of play where Riggs kicked her first goal - it’s cut out from the highlight, but immediately before that happened she took a very good contested mark, burst away and then made a bad kick to CHF that was marked by a Port player who ultimately ended up stuffing up her kick and sent it straight back to Riggs. What impressed me (besides the burst and hustle after the second mark) was that Riggs didn’t hang her head about the bad kick, she got straight into good defensive position which allowed her to turn the ball over quickly.
 
First quarter the general movement was good - far better balance of handball/kicking than last week. That being said, still not clinical at all going forwards - bit fumbly forward of centre. Riggs/Lingdren both happy to fly at it and provide a contest in the air, which like last week freed up Lakfer to tackle/pressure at ground level. Our system defensively was a bit off - their first two goals came from silly defending from us and were easily preventable. Schofield mentioned a few times throughout the game that we were the slower team to set up defensively, which was a fair call, we looked a little caught out at times.

Umpires seemed to have thrown away the HTB interpretation they've been going with this season - did always think they'd correct it but of course they overcorrected in the space of one game. Players looked a little confused early on about when to actually pick up the ball, which is never a great look for the game.

2nd and 3rd quarters a grind. Weirdly for a more high scoring game than the last few weeks (and while fumbly, nowhere near as bad as the St Kilda game), I actually didn't find this one as good to watch. Tactically there felt like less going on, less acts of individual brilliance, more just two good but not great teams feeling each other out.

That all being said, it's bloody awesome how our mindset ATM allows us to chase down leads. We're looking fit, energized and confident. Last quarter was awesome, and our forward entries looked more potent than they have all season. Lots of the I50s didn't pay off but they still put pressure on their defence by coming in fast, deep or both. Really liked what I saw in an area that's been our main concern this season. Also a great sign of growing maturity and leadership throughout the squad that we were able to just keep playing the way we wanted to play, and capitalise on when it came off in the end.


Individuals:

Outstanding first goal for Riggs. She's a powerful athlete and loved that she went for it - exact type of play we needed. Too often we don't take space in a straight line when it's in front of us - awesome game sense from her. Her second goal was a little flukey but just knowing that her kick is a weapon is so reassuring - key forwards who can actually kick long range goals are worth their weight in gold. Keep her fwd forever please please please.

View attachment 2419883

Lingdren wasn't a big presence. I like her but think I can see why she hasn't been drafted before now - she's got those vibes of a very very good state player who just doesn't quite have the talent or physical attributes for the top level.

Gee Scholz is a freak. Actually think Lakay rucked really well against her, but when she hits 25-26 there'll be no stopping her at all. Good game from Lakay - again a slight issue of her/McGrath being good rucks but non entities when not rucking. McGrath I do still love, but when she's not on top in the hitouts, her effectiveness drops off dramatically. We desperately need Lakay to get Dean Cox fit going forward so we can pair her with someone more versatile in a few years.

Western is becoming a bit of a concern. She's a good athlete, good team player, gets the most out of herself and is the type of player we need - but I just don't think she's that good at footy. The difference in game sense between her and the draftees is really noticeable.

Rowley played really well in the midfield. She's tough, doesn't fumble much, probably the biggest concern in her career thus far is does she have the capability to increase her production? Today answered this IMO. Has genuine midfield craft. Top in clearances and centre clearances today.

View attachment 2419882

Rentsch playing on Houghton was an interesting move. She was able to sprint away from her offensively a few times - but generally I prefer seeing Rentsch in the middle of the ground. Obviously a balance thing and allowed Rowley to play mid more but still not my favourite spot for her. Houghton outmuscled her a few times. I also think that while we saw a bit more carry and dash from her than in recent weeks, she could benefit from taking an extra step or two and keeping composed - a few times she got fully in the clear but then hacked it on the boot when she could have gained another 20m by running it.

Gibson had by far her best game of the season. Playing with real flair, stepping around players and actually being offensive - not everything came off but she at least used the ball aggressively and made their defenders panic. Sometimes you just need to attack the goals rather than being too cute 45m out.

Roberts played probably the most boring game of her career and was still one of the best to watch. Lots of inside handballs and linkups in transition chains. It's such an impressive feat that she can adjust where and how she's playing to get around what the opposition are doing to her. Would still like a Bushby, Lewis, Britton etc to really focus in on Ella's direct opponent and give them grief - going forwards we want Ella to be as damaging as possible and not ever need to be the inside handball operator.

Drennan was great, good weight of possessions. Swanson was the fumbliest I've seen her in years. Roux was brilliant, love how she attacks it in the air and takes the game on.

Cleaver plays the game like a classic netball GD. Intercepts, uses her body to gain the best position, then runs up the ground to offer a follow-up lead. Super important for us this year. She does do this weird thing where, when the ball's on the deck, she circles it for a bit waiting for the best time to pick it up. Probably a good move not to get caught HTB but a few times the Port player just knocked it on while Cleaver was standing over it and she'd get caught out. Not the worst thing in the world but optically I'd probably rather just see her grab it with confidence, even if she does get caught HTB once or twice.

Both Wakfers were really solid. Like last week, Lauren got involved through the hard, physical stuff at ground level - she's not anywhere near as good as Riggs at flying/competing for it in the air as a key forward. Didn't realise she'd only kicked 2 goals in her 25 games, definitely needs to up that tally. But am slowly seeing her as less of a tall forward and more of a mid sized option in the way she plays - having actual aerialists like Riggs around her will help get the best out of her IMO. Loved these types of efforts:

View attachment 2419881

View attachment 2419880

And like every week, Dalgleish impressed. Today didn't always go her way - this was probably her least clean, fumbliest game for the season, yet she'd still pull off efforts like this one.

View attachment 2419879

Generally/overall this felt like the most balanced our team has been all season. The forwardline looks straighter with Riggs, Lewis IMO should play this exact mix of mid/fwd, Rowley looked good in the middle, Painter/Roberts rotated well and played workmanlike games, backline held up relatively well. This feels like the general blueprint for how we want to play, will just need to build on it and get better.
Riggs; I think the talent scouts thought maybe she wasn't so fast. I recalled from the U18 games she was a great mark and kick, but the mobility really surprised me. You're right, some of them will be kicking themselves, I think we got a steal.

Lindgren; done great to get where she is, but is just holding the place until the next draft. You're right - solid WAFLW player, pretty good at everything, but not to the level required for AFLW.

Western; Ditto. Has great speed and will do some nice things, may even hang around another few years, but at some point soon a new draft will squeeze her out.

Rowley; Was THE star junior mid of WAFLW a few years back, won Peel Thunder season BnF at 16, in the seniors. Was always going to be a gun, no surprises here.

Rentsch; Dropping back for Houghton just exposes a weakness, we don't really have anyone in the backline with size and speed enough for someone like her. Rentsch got outmuscled, did okay but it's not her best spot, like you say - she's a mid, not a defender. So ideally we'd like to plug that hole in the draft... we could probably get one in the first round, but our first rounder really needs to be a forward. Maybe next year. Unless Mizuki Brothwell somehow slips a long way... or we get Alicia Blizard and retask her as a defender...

Gibbo's awesome, no complaints. Was always the sort of player who plays best when surrounded by other great players. She didn't have that a few years ago, but she does now.

Drennan; Really stepped up, I may have been hasty saying she was slowing down. On the other hand, it was wet, the kind of conditions an experienced player does well in. But if she's playing well, it makes the competition for midfield spots even more intense.

Britton; May have also been hasty writing her off, she's young and the mistakes seem to be declining as this season progresses, which just leaves the good stuff, which is quite a lot.

Bushby; Nice goal, but isn't improving like Britton... yet. She'll need to if she wants to hold her spot the next few years.

Lackfer; May just be a long-term project. Was always trained as a ruck, is now relearning how to be a forward. Hopefully at some point it will click, she's got the skills, speed and physical prescence, some big hits out there on Sunday. She's not under too much pressure for her spot just yet, with our forward line so thin... but that will change soon.

And on HTB; I LOVE the new rule, think it's the best rule change the AFLW has made since inception. Yes they overdo it at times, but people are criticising it based on what they do see, which is sometimes not great. What they DON'T see, which used to be everywhere, is players collapsing on the ball, followed by six stoppages in a row, and everyone at home turning off their TVs in frustration and boredom, because the players would deliberately create stoppages in the knowledge that the umpires won't penalise them. That's gone now, and the games are so much better for it, stoppages are down by a third or something huge.
 

10 Courtney Rowley WCE
8 Isabella Lewis WCE
3 Jessica Rentsch WCE
3 Alison Drennan WCE

3 Sachi Syme PORT
2 Ashleigh Woodland PORT
1 Kellie Gibson WCE

No votes for Ella, which both makes sense and amazes me, considering we still won comfortably in the end.
 

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.


Interesting idea, I would like to see thee comp better balanced but it means as a middle tier team on the rise that we probably lose out on this situation 😔
They absolutely need to do something about how uneven the competition is, but you could've given us all the priority picks you wanted, until we started taking the W seriously when we got Daisy it wouldn't have mattered
 
I noticed a major change at Claremont when the club started to embrace the WAFLW. The dynamics at the club - and for the better. The average age of attendees at matches has drastically reduced and the gender balance is way different. There was new life in the club

The upbeat nature of the Eagles AFLW team is infectious and is a great tonic to offset some of the gloom that is our men's team have brought upon us. Ella and Charlie look like great leaders and the personalities of Riggs, Rentch and Painter are burning it up. There is hope. It looks like fun and it is attracting a profile of follower that makes the Purples women's team look old and dated
 
Better win some of these upcoming games. Last four rounds are Crows, Cats, Swans and Blues. All would start favorites against us except the Cats, but even they're much better than the ladder suggests, they had a tough fixture and just beat the Bombers pretty comfortably.
 
I
Better win some of these upcoming games. Last four rounds are Crows, Cats, Swans and Blues. All would start favorites against us except the Cats, but even they're much better than the ladder suggests, they had a tough fixture and just beat the Bombers pretty comfortably.
If you'd asked me at the start of the season our chances of beating these teams I would not have been very confident of us having much of a chance. We still have Johnson to come back in, AND Lucy Boyd and Kavanagh to develop/come into the side (I am confident both will become great players in time).

Seeing the immediate impact, speed and clean ball usage of the draftees of the last 2 years is insane in such a short period of time. We have really developed a hard edge, a never say die attitude and the vibe around the women's team is super evident. If we can clean up the fumbles, first use, we will be a much better side again.

I think we have a realistic chance of beating anyone outside of the big 4 now, whether we do or not is yet to be seen but I genuinely believe we can challenge. If we manage to 50/50 those matches and win against the sides we are tipped to, a finals berth is a very real prospect.

And if we make finals, people will take notice of our age profile, our coach, our energy, and we become a seriously appealing destination to get on the Daisy/Coaster train and build a true contender in the next 3/4 years. I'm very ****ing excited, and I've noticed names popping up in the thread that I haven't seen in years prior (pun intended).

There is genuine interest starting to develop from fans that weren't previously interested in the Women's game.
 

Interesting idea, I would like to see thee comp better balanced but it means as a middle tier team on the rise that we probably lose out on this situation 😔
I thought I'd hate it, but as I read it, it's not a bad suggestion. Just for the next few years, at least.

But then, I also don't think it's really necessary. The AFLW is very different from the AFL in that the top 30 picks are already better than %90 of the current AFLW seniors, and given the smaller size of AFLW lists, bottom-ranked teams get filled up with great new talent real fast.

Then there's the Northern Academies - Gold Coast are going to grab a bunch of huge talents this year under those rules, add to the kids they've already got, they'll be a huge force in a few years. And GWS will probably get pick one this year, which will be Chloe Bown (freakish player), then next year their Academy class looks almost as good as Gold Coast's this year... their top 12 players will be scary in a few years (you notice the Allies team being suddenly competitive this year in the U18s? Mostly GWS Academy girls).
 
I

If you'd asked me at the start of the season our chances of beating these teams I would not have been very confident of us having much of a chance. We still have Johnson to come back in, AND Lucy Boyd and Kavanagh to develop/come into the side (I am confident both will become great players in time).

Seeing the immediate impact, speed and clean ball usage of the draftees of the last 2 years is insane in such a short period of time. We have really developed a hard edge, a never say die attitude and the vibe around the women's team is super evident. If we can clean up the fumbles, first use, we will be a much better side again.

I think we have a realistic chance of beating anyone outside of the big 4 now, whether we do or not is yet to be seen but I genuinely believe we can challenge. If we manage to 50/50 those matches and win against the sides we are tipped to, a finals berth is a very real prospect.

And if we make finals, people will take notice of our age profile, our coach, our energy, and we become a seriously appealing destination to get on the Daisy/Coaster train and build a true contender in the next 3/4 years. I'm very ****ing excited, and I've noticed names popping up in the thread that I haven't seen in years prior (pun intended).

There is genuine interest starting to develop from fans that weren't previously interested in the Women's game.
Now they just need to come to the games! Club media need Daisy and the girls making direct appeals to fans, get it out to peoples email inboxes, on the news, on social media (the men's account, not just the AFLW account). Basically "come to the games, let's start a movement, we'll win more home games if you're there".
 

Remove this Banner Ad

Remove this Banner Ad

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Back
Top Bottom