No Oppo Supporters 2025 General Discussion

[Ticky009]

Happy New Year everyone. A lot to be excited about this year for a turnover by almost a third of our list.

 

[Callipygian]

To continue the debate from the 2024 media thread about Gemma Bastiani's suggested make up of our best 21, I don't altogether agree with you Kiama Chris . I think that while the bench has players that can play forward (Davies, Cooper, Lexi), Davies and Lexi are pretty versatile can play in the ruck or back. In addition the players we have named forward in the starting line up are also flexible and can play midfield (C. Hamilton, Moy, Moloney). So, I don't think the bench named is too slanted towards forwards. (My only complaint, as previously noted, is that there are a few players I'd select ahead of RSW).

However, I do agree with Ticky009 that our list balance overall is a bit off (if that is what you meant, Ticky). I think we are lacking in talls and that needs remedying but we evidently decided we are not in flag contention this season either way and we can afford to wait another for another off-season where better opportunities loom.

Overall I feel pretty happy with the team we can field. I think our list has improved, in particular with regard to depth. Still room for more improvement of course, and still need to see how the new recruits go.

 

[Kiama Chris]

To continue the debate from the 2024 media thread about Gemma Bastiani's suggested make up of our best 21, I don't altogether agree with you Kiama Chris . I think that while the bench has players that can play forward (Davies, Cooper, Lexi), Davies and Lexi are pretty versatile can play in the ruck or back. In addition the players we have named forward in the starting line up are also flexible and can play midfield (C. Hamilton, Moy, Moloney). So, I don't think the bench named is too slanted towards forwards. (My only complaint, as previously noted, is that there are a few players I'd select ahead of RSW).

However, I do agree with Ticky009 that our list balance overall is a bit off (if that is what you meant, Ticky). I think we are lacking in talls and that needs remedying but we evidently decided we are not in flag contention this season either way and we can afford to wait another for another off-season where better opportunities loom.

Overall I feel pretty happy with the team we can field. I think our list has improved, in particular with regard to depth. Still room for more improvement of course, and still need to see how the new recruits go.

Not so much about CAN play forward as CAN ONLY play forward at their best or who will force midfielders to play more minutes than ideal. That assumes that we pick Gemma's team and much as I respect her I don't think she's quite right.
Agree about the talls issue but we didn't get much we could aim at. C'est la vie. At least we got a proper backup ruck.

 

[Ticky009]

However, I do agree with Ticky009 that our list balance overall is a bit off (if that is what you meant, Ticky). I think we are lacking in talls and that needs remedying but we evidently decided we are not in flag contention this season either way and we can afford to wait another for another off-season where better opportunities loom.

Overall I feel pretty happy with the team we can field. I think our list has improved, in particular with regard to depth. Still room for more improvement of course, and still need to see how the new recruits go.

Yep, that's what I meant. I feel like the list has a few more years of development before we will find the balance we are looking for.

 

[Callipygian]

I love this: https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1263958/odriscoll-an-ode-to-country-footy-and-those-who-play-it

 

[Callipygian]

"Tahlia Gillard and Kate Hore both have to wear the same undies every game day. ": https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1264217/aflw-players-wildest-and-wackiest-superstitions

Do you think they take turns each quarter?* Or maybe Gillard gets them pre-game and Hore during?


* I posted this comment on the Melbourne FC forum in their AFLW thread but it got deleted. I guess I was too impertinent!

 

[Callipygian]

Art, travel, puppies: How AFLW players are spending their time off

It was a busy season of AFLW in 2024, but some players' off-season has been even busier! From travelling all over the world to new animals, this is how AFLW players are spending their summer break

www.afl.com.au

Props to the players who went swimming in the sea off Ireland. And how photogenic are snowy and Irish landscapes!

 

[Callipygian]

For Shaw: Suns appoint ex-Roos coach in history-making move

Rhyce Shaw is set to take over as the Suns' AFLW coach

www.afl.com.au

 

[Ruck n Roll from RWO]

The cupboard may not be completely bare when it comes to talls, but it got further depleted at both ends.

Up forward, we saw what expecting Bec Privitelli to play a lone aerial hand looked like last season. And we added nobody to alleviate that. On the prerformance thus far, Gemma Bastiani's suggestion of Giselle Davies looks the faintest of faint hopes. I'll change my tune if she kicks the second and third goals of her career in round #1 - but would settle for her contesting in the air and bringing the ball to ground.

If either Brenna or Alice, goes down injured, we'll need Giselle and/or Jasmine Grierson (Bastiani doesn't mention her at all) down back.

https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1263990/your-clubs-best-21-whos-in-whos-out-whos-new

 

[Callipygian]

van Loon is clearly meant to be able to cover a key role even if she's on the shorter side for a key. Martin could develop into a KPP if we're lucky. Reid allows us to keep Davies predominantly playing a KPP role if Morphett is injured.

 

[Ruck n Roll from RWO]

Take your word for the purpose of Van-Loon - I've never seen her play. But I'd feel happier to see more tall players, than palyers that can play tall.

 

[Callipygian]

Home and away: Draftee's journey across the Nullarbor with Dad and the dog

West Coast draftee Lucia Painter made the long drive from Bendigo to Perth with her dad and dog, but had to leave her two blue-tongue lizards behind. She tells Sarah Black about the journey

www.afl.com.au

Nice story about Lucia Painter's move to Perth/West Coast. Hopefully we can look forward to a companion article about Zippy Fish doing the trip the other way.

 

[Ticky009]

Scrambled in with the other stuff - is talk around what the forward rules should look like for ALFW threshold.

 

[Callipygian]

'What would Grandma say?': Dogs' female footy history stretches back to 1947

Before there was the AFLW, there were exhibition matches. Before the eh

www.afl.com.au

This article is all about the Bulldogs history in women's footy (so no need to read unless that is of interest) but looking with my jaundiced red and white eyes the thing I picked up on is that while they are trumpeting their long history in the women's game, the very first game they played, 78 years ago in 1947, was against us (South Melbourne). So that means we've been in women's footy at least as long!

In 1947, 70 years before the first game of AFLW was played, the Bulldogs fielded a women's footy side much to the shock of the local newspaper.


"What Would Grandma Say?" the headline in The Argus read, alongside an article and photo of two players.


"Girls invade men's sport. Footscray women's football club intends to challenge South Melbourne girls' team.

 

[RnR from RWO]

WHAT WOULD GRANDMA SAY?

GIRLS INVADE men's sport: Footscray women's football club intends to challenge South Melbourne girls' team. ...

trove.nla.gov.au

 

[Callipygian]

Two-time AFLW premiership coach reveals why he's stepping away

Adelaide coach Matthew Clarke speaks exclusively to Sarah Black about his decision to step down at the end of 2025

www.afl.com.au

Sounds like he's had a career not dissimilar to Horse's but in the W (early premiership and sustained success without tasting the ultimate victory again). Will be a great pick up for whichever team nabs him next (as Horse will be too).

 

[Ticky009]

 

[Callipygian]

Rise of the replacements: Second-chancers taking AFLW by storm

Gemma Bastiani takes a look at how AFLW teams have used a unique list management option

www.afl.com.au

 

[joeykanga]

It was interesting watching last night's opening AFLW matches.
All the top draftees had memorable moments and looked really classy. I thought Carlton looked the best out of all the sides. Enjoyed Mimi Hill's game.
Of the draftees Lucia Painter certainly looked dynamic.
I enjoyed watched Elle Veerhuis from our academy. She's a good runner and she certainly was not out of place got quite a few good possessions.
Montana Beruldson chosen for Richmond tonight. I must admit I enjoyed watching her play...and wondered why she was omitted a few times toward the end of last year. Shes a speedy and powerful player. As I mentioned hopefully she goes well but not so well that we don't win.

 

[Kiama Chris]

It was interesting watching last night's opening AFLW matches.
All the top draftees had memorable moments and looked really classy. I thought Carlton looked the best out of all the sides. Enjoyed Mimi Hill's game.
Of the draftees Lucia Painter certainly looked dynamic.
I enjoyed watched Elle Veerhuis from our academy. She's a good runner and she certainly was not out of place got quite a few good possessions.
Montana Beruldson chosen for Richmond tonight. I must admit I enjoyed watching her play...and wondered why she was omitted a few times toward the end of last year. Shes a speedy and powerful player. As I mentioned hopefully she goes well but not so well that we don't win.

GC skill level way below WC though physically I thought they matched up fine. Expected better.
Didn't see much of the other game and the little I did it was a scrum.

 

[liz]

There was talk a few days ago of concern from all clubs about a change in the holding-the-ball adjudication. I heard it characterised as doing away with the concept of prior opportunity. But watching bits of both games last night (I had the TV on and wandered in and out of the room throughout the evening), the adjudication looked unchanged to me. If anything I thought there were plenty of HTBs that might have been paid that weren't.

Did the AFLW administrators have a change of heart on the eve of the season? I read that the players were generally upset about the proposed change, and I didn't get a sense of whether it had only just been communicated to them or whether they'd known about it for most of the off-season.

From the bits I watched yesterday, the umpiring seemed pretty good.

 

[Kiama Chris]

There was talk a few days ago of concern from all clubs about a change in the holding-the-ball adjudication. I heard it characterised as doing away with the concept of prior opportunity. But watching bits of both games last night (I had the TV on and wandered in and out of the room throughout the evening), the adjudication looked unchanged to me. If anything I thought there were plenty of HTBs that might have been paid that weren't.

Did the AFLW administrators have a change of heart on the eve of the season? I read that the players were generally upset about the proposed change, and I didn't get a sense of whether it had only just been communicated to them or whether they'd known about it for most of the off-season.

From the bits I watched yesterday, the umpiring seemed pretty good.

Interesting to see Razor back in action.

 

[joeykanga]

GC skill level way below WC though physically I thought they matched up fine. Expected better.
Didn't see much of the other game and the little I did it was a scrum.

Interesting to see Razor back in action.

It was a wrestle early on but Carlton definitely have drafted and recruited well. They have a standout Irish player up forward who was out with an acl injury last year. Fitzpatrick...
I love our midfield Irish star...we do have Paris McCarthy who had that one stunning game last year. I hope she has a few more this year. They're great to watch the Irish.
It was interesting...
Razor i like the fella hes been fun to listen to on 360...he got scolded for calling Lyons 'mate' in one of his first appearances. He related well with Whately in a geek kind of way and it was good. I forgot how theatric he is when he does a holding the ball call.
It didn't seem like there was major change in htb. Maybe the odd one where someone was tackled without prior and wrapped up and didn't do that pretending to try to somehow get it out...not as if they could with arms wrapped around the ball. I think I saw 2 hometown decisions in that respect both West Coasts way by the same ump.

 

[carter_capture]

Draftee performances were strong - Harris looked so good. Scholz, Mackay, Painter all good. Centra didnt see much ball for struggling Pies. Hope Zippy can keep it going tonight.

Also liked Elie's game - kicks a bit 'dinky' but moved/positioned well.

 

[joeykanga]

Draftee performances were strong - Harris looked so good. Scholz, Mackay, Painter all good. Centra didnt see much ball for struggling Pies. Hope Zippy can keep it going tonight.

Also liked Elie's game - kicks a bit 'dinky' but moved/positioned well.

Centra did take a ripping mark.
Zippy will outdo them! Ditto on Elle