Game Day AFLW Round 4 vs Melbourne - Casey Fields, 4:05pm Sun

[andana]

I ran out of fingers a while back. Lol

You would have done better than Durdin

 

[Firestarter]

Nanscawen is joined in the side, presented by Powershop, by debutant Beth Lynch and forward Sophie Abbatangelo.

Courteney Munn (calf) and Nicole Bresnehan (wrist) are out due to injury, while Chloe Haines has been omitted.

(That's better...)

 

[Luke72]

Roco’s write up from Footyology...

Sunday, February 24, 4:05pm: Melbourne v North Melbourne, Casey Fields

Melbourne looked red-hot in disposing of Brisbane last week but is now handed the unfortunate task of coming up a team in at-times unstoppable form.

Karen Paxman ensured she would remain North Melbourne’s one to watch with her role in the Dees’ 39-point drubbing, while Aliesha Newman was explosive across the half-forward flank with 19 disposals and three well-earned goals.

Melbourne is yet to confirm any omissions for the game Sunday either, which is a sign of general squad health.

The same cannot be said in Round 4 for North Melbourne, which has so far been the benchmark side in AFLW, but this week will have to do without Rising Star nominee Courteney Munn, who earned her accolade following a breakout four-goal haul in their 31-point victory over the Western Bulldogs.

Munn misses with a calf injury, but there should be no shortage of effective forward options, such as former Blue Kate Gillespie-Jones (17 touches, seven tackles last week), although marquee signing Moana Hope remains short of finding her footing as the default full-forward.

Tip: North Melbourne by 12 points. This could be the most exciting match of the round, if not for the notorious tricky winds at Casey Fields. Regardless, North should have just enough quality to roll on.

 

[Luke72]

SAME opposition, same venue, infinitely higher stakes. Undefeated North Melbourne and fellow flag-contender Melbourne certainly know what to expect in their critical NAB AFL Women's confrontation at Casey Fields on Sunday.

The Roos (who head Conference A) and the Demons (third in the same group) sized up each other in a practice match at the ground in Melbourne's outer-south-east nearly six weeks ago, with North – new to the competition this year – winning a high-class hitout by 22 points.

Both teams possess elite midfield groups and lead the competition for clearances to set up heavy scoring, with coaches Scott Gowans (North Melbourne) and Mick Stinear (Melbourne) likely to back in their respective game plans.

"We played them in the practice match, we've seen them play for three weeks and had a chance to review the vision. Ultimately, in a short (seven-week) competition we feel getting our game right and getting our players performing … is the most important part," Stinear said.

If there are opportunities to take away some of the opposition's strengths, we'll do that. But our main focus is our performance.

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"What North has got are quality players in all areas, so it's not a matter of shutting down one or two, it's how we match-up across the field and play the game on our terms.

"We were pretty inaccurate [in the practice match the Demons kicked 4.10]. They had our measure for most of the day, but we didn't maximise our opportunities when we had the ball. We're a different team to that game and I'm sure they are as well," he said.

"What you see with AFLW are big momentum shifts through the course of a game. It's a matter of really maximising (any advantage) when you've got it. The girls kicked five goals in five minutes (against Brisbane) at the weekend. Then it's being able to steady the ship when the other team has got it.

"Having dropped the first game against Fremantle (by four points), we're in a position where we can't afford to drop another, otherwise we hand over our destiny to other teams. It's a must-win game for us … we learnt so much from round one and we've been progressing every week.

"Our group are in a good spot, they have a good handle on their individual games and our performance as a team and we're ready for the challenge."

Melbourne had a pre-game boost at an AFLW Tribunal hearing on Tuesday night when it was able to overturn a two-game striking suspension offered to key forward Tegan Cunningham, who had collided with Lions defender Shannon Campbell.

"We've had some real consistency with our forwards. We've only had six or seven players go through there in the first three weeks and they have a good connection with each other," Stinear said.

"Tegan's ability to compete in the air … her ability to win the ball at ground level and her tackle pressure to keep (the ball) in the forward line are critical."

"We didn't think the contact was intentional or careless and we're glad for the outcome … her teammates will be happy to have her out there."

 

[Bigeasy]

North by 5 goals.

 

[The Nostradamus]

Another best on debutant to come
No pressure

 

[Sopwiths North]

Tip: North Melbourne by 12 points. This could be the most exciting match of the round, if not for the notorious tricky winds at Casey Fields. Regardless, North should have just enough quality to roll on.

Ahh, the tricky winds! Historically brings out the best in us. North girls by 22.

 

[goalieboy82]

its game day now so:
Sissy Rose, my little Dachsador

barks the following

 

[Hearts to hearts]

Ok, does anyone know Casey Fields? Where to park, where to sit/stand to watch the game?

 

[The Nostradamus]

 

[Hearts to hearts]

Found a spot under one of the shades, opposite side of the ground from the buildings. Warm day here.

 

[The Nostradamus]

 

[Gasometer]

View attachment 622455

To be precise.

Well that’s Wallan Sevo if you do it Katamatite way

Still 1.5 hour to go after Wallan

Youse all need a teaspoon of concrete

 

[wolvesRoos]

hey, any of you guys at the game, can you let me know if there are any dogs in the crowd. Took my dog to the reserves in Werribee last year and just wondering if I will be able to again for the next AFLW game there.

 

[Gasometer]

We need a Brother Sister Rule

Could have got Tom Lynch

 

[wolvesRoos]

whats the cheer squad doing clapping a melbourne goal

 

[Kangayroo]

Oh joy. Kate ‘Chompers’ Sheehan is in commentary.

 

[Hearts to hearts]

hey, any of you guys at the game, can you let me know if there are any dogs in the crowd. Took my dog to the reserves in Werribee last year and just wondering if I will be able to again for the next AFLW game there.

I’ve seen some, yes.

 

[RobZombie]

Beautiful by Mo then, even if the goal assist was kind of accidental.

 

[Tas]

Great passage of play. Hope having her best game of the year so far.

 

[RobZombie]

How did Abba not get an AFLW gig before now?

 

[wolvesRoos]

Bang, bang... excellent start to the quarter

 

[Tas]

Gibson is strong as an Ox, some real Firrito-like pack breaking runs.

 

[Tas]

How did Abba not get an AFLW gig before now?

She had a number of serious injuries didn't she?

 

[DrZaius]

Does the taking the ball out of the ruck rule not exist in the AFLW?