VFLW Game Day VFLW 2021 Season - Preliminary Final loss to Geelong

[Lore]

2021 VFLW FIXTURE:

ROUND	OPPONENT	TIME/DATE	VENUE	RESULT
1	Southern Saints (H)	10:30am, Sunday, February 28	NEC Hangar	LOSS: Match Report
2	Casey Demons (A)	1pm, Sunday, March 7	Casey Fields	WIN: Match Report
3	Hawthorn (H)	11am, Saturday, March 13	NEC Hangar	WIN: Match Report
4	Darebin (H)	10:30am, Sunday, March 21	NEC Hangar	WIN: Match Report
5	Port Melbourne (H)	10:30am, Sunday, March 28	NEC Hangar	LOSS: Match Report
6	Hawthorn (A)	10:30am, Saturday, April 10	Box Hill City Oval	WIN: Match Report
7	Williamstown (H)	11am, Saturday, April 17	NEC Hangar	WIN: Match Report
8	Collingwood (A)	11am, Sunday, April 25	NEC Hangar	LOSS: Match Report
9	Carlton (H)	10am, Saturday, May 1	Windy Hill	WIN: Match Report
10	Geelong (A)	1pm, Saturday, May 8	Deakin (Geelong)	LOSS: Match Report
11	Western Bulldogs (H)	11am, Saturday, May 15	Windy Hill	LOSS: Match Report
12	North Melbourne (H)	10am, Saturday, May 22	Windy Hill	postponed/abandoned
13	Darebin (A)	12pm, Saturday, May 29	Bill Lawry Oval	postponed/abandoned
14	Williamstown (A)	1pm, Saturday, June 19	Downer Oval	WIN: Match Report
15	Darebin (A)	12pm, Saturday, June 26	Bill Lawry Oval	WIN: Match Report
EF	Casey Demons (A)	12pm, Saturday, July 3	Casey Fields	WIN: Match Report
SF	Collingwood (A)	12pm, Saturday, July 10	Victoria Park	LOSS: Match Report
PF	Geelong (H)	12pm, Saturday, July 31	Windy Hill	LOSS: Match Report

 

[Megabattimus]

Were we missing anyone when we last played Collingwood?

On Pixel 3 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Lore]

I think Lucy Watkins called some of our games earlier in the season…

 

[Lore]

Match Report for our Finals Win

Bombers advance to VFLW semis
The VFLW Bombers make history with a thrilling victory in their first-ever final.

The VFLW Bombers embrace after a famous victory. (Photo: Celie Hay)

The VFLW Bombers have held off a fast-finishing Casey Demons in its first-ever VFLW final to celebrate a three-point victory at Casey Fields on Saturday.

The windy conditions dictated the game, but Essendon made the most of the goal-scoring end to claim a 5.5 (35) to 5.2 (32) elimination final win and advance to the semi-finals.

Casey started strongly with the opening goal, but the Bombers kept up the intensity and locked the ball in their forward half.

Kicking against the wind, the Bombers struggled to convert but controlled the play and applied strong pressure to their opponents through strong tackles from Georgia Nanscawen and Courtney Ugle.

A determined Bombers outfit returned after the first break, with Georgie Prespakis and Alana Barba using their clean skills through the midfield to move the ball up forward.

Goals to Barba and Elizabeth Hosking sparked the Bombers’ enthusiasm, with the momentum turning their way.

Mia-Rae Clifford’s AFLW experience was evident as she took strong marks to set up her teammates while also providing great leadership.

Making history: The VFLW Bombers run out for their first-ever final. (Photo: Celie Hay)

An on-the-run goal to Jessie Davies followed by a set-shot major to Tara Slender gave the Bombers a 23-point lead at half-time.

But the Demons came out firing after the main break, utilising the wind to kick three consecutive goals.

Tamsin Crook and Cecilia McIntosh fought hard across the backline to stop the Demons from taking the lead, while Ruby Svarc used her speed to chase down her opponents and cause turnovers.

Heading into the final term, Essendon’s lead had been cut back to four points and the momentum sat with the Demons.

Casey carried its energy from its comeback into the last quarter and took the lead with an early goal.

It took until the final minutes for Essendon to hit the board again, with Lauren Ahrens awarded a 50-metre penalty and a direct shot at goal.

After Ahrens converted to give the Bombers a three-point lead, the home team fought hard to get the ball towards its forward line, but Essendon’s defence stood strong.

Lauren Ahrens is surrounded after her match-winning goal. (Photo: Celie Hay)

There was elation on the final siren, with the Bombers’ players running from everywhere to celebrate their maiden VFLW finals win.

There were jubilant scenes as the final siren sounded at Casey Fields. (Photo: Celie Hay)

First finals win
Both sides made their VFLW finals debut on Saturday, but it was the Bombers who came out victorious.

For Clifford, who was best on ground for the Bombers, the win was a reward for the persistence and hard work that everyone involved in the VFLW program had contributed since the team's inception in 2018.

“It’s just amazing. I think the girls played with their hearts on their sleeves today and that’s what we wanted to do - play the Bomber way. We’re so excited and happy,” Clifford said.

“Everyone is running and screaming around, but the work rate was there and we’re just so stoked to come home with the four points after all the hard work we’ve been doing.”


Determination until the final siren
After a ruthless second quarter, the Bombers had to fight against the wind to keep their strong lead.

Casey managed to capitalise on the strong conditions during the third term but Clifford said it was the Bombers’ grit and attitude that helped them overcome the Demons’ response.

“We always prepare for anything here at Casey. We just went man on, run, back our speed. We have a lot of young quicks and some old quicks,” Clifford said.

“We just had to be hungry for the ball and fight the whole way until that final siren, and I think we really showed that when the wind was against us.”

At three-quarter time when the game was in the balance, Clifford said the Bombers remained confident in their abilities and didn’t drop their heads.

“I think we were expecting them to come out firing. They’re a great side and they’ve had a great year so we knew they were going to bring the heat in that third quarter and we just had to ride it,” Clifford said.

“I think we actually did really well even though we conceded a few goals. I think the way we stood up and pressured, we didn’t allow them to have too much flow so I think we just had to hold our ground and just fight.”

Veteran Cecilia McIntosh couldn't contain her excitement. (Photo: Celie Hay)

Balanced team

With five NAB League players lining up for the Bombers in Saturday’s elimination final, Clifford believes that despite having a young team, the leadership of the more experienced players helped keep the team composed in the dying moments of the game.

“I think we have a great combo to be honest. I think the young ones are there as well but we have the middle-age group with those level heads like Ahrens and ‘Morcs’ (Alex Morcom), ‘G’ (Georgia Nanscawen) in the mid and ‘Ugez’ (Courtney Ugle),” Clifford said.

“Then you have these young spritely ones running around, so I think we have a great balance of maturity and youth.”

Prespakis was one NAB League player who stood out to Clifford, with the 18-year-old demonstrating her maturity and ability to be clean around the ball at the next level.

“Definitely Prespakis today, she’s only in her third game in senior women’s footy and she’s just gone up and up and up,” Clifford said.

“The way she just darts around people, and her body and the way she uses it is just amazing, so I can’t wait to see her future and I’m so glad I get the opportunity to play alongside her now.”

The VFLW Bombers will continue their maiden finals series when they compete in a semi-final next weekend, with their opponent dependent on other results.

CASEY 1.0 1.0 4.1 5.2 (32)
ESSENDON 0.3 4.5 4.5 5.5 (35)

Goals: Barba, Hosking, Davies, Slender, Ahrens
Best: Clifford, Prespakis, McIntosh, Svarc, Crook

Bombers advance to VFLW semis

The VFLW Bombers make history with a thrilling victory in their first-ever final.

www.essendonfc.com.au

Interview with Mia-Rae Clifford:

VFLW EF | Clifford post-game

We spoke to VFLW forward Mia-Rae Clifford after our Elimination Final victory over the Casey Demons.

www.essendonfc.com.au

 

[The Prosecutor]

So we have two cracks now at making the GF?

 

[boncer34]

So we have two cracks now at making the GF?

So we play Collingwood this week? Such a weird system.

 

[Lore]

So we have two cracks now at making the GF?

So we play Collingwood this week? Such a weird system.

Yep! It's kind of weird but it makes sense when you're playing finals with only 6 teams. The alternative I guess is that 1st and 2nd get a week off in Week 1 and they cut the prelim out altogether.

 

[boncer34]

Yep! It's kind of weird but it makes sense when you're playing finals with only 6 teams. The alternative I guess is that 1st and 2nd get a week off in Week 1 and they cut the prelim out altogether.

It's the final six system the AFL dumped for a final 8 I think. It's how in 93 we went from a Qualifying final against Carlton to knock out finals against West Coast and Adelaide.

 

[Lore]

We now have a date, time and venue, and an updated path to finals

 

[Lore]

We’re wearing our Indigenous round guernseys in recognition of NAIDOC week as well ‘Heal Country!’

Statement: Round 13 VFL fixture reveal, League celebrates NAIDOC Week

AFL releases dates and times for round 13 of the VFL premiership season

www.afl.com.au

 

[Megabattimus]

We’re wearing our Indigenous round guernseys in recognition of NAIDOC week as well ‘Heal Country!’

Statement: Round 13 VFL fixture reveal, League celebrates NAIDOC Week

AFL releases dates and times for round 13 of the VFL premiership season

www.afl.com.au

Wonder if we'll do the same in the AFL and VFL?

On Pixel 3 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Lore]

Wonder if we'll do the same in the AFL and VFL?

On Pixel 3 using BigFooty.com mobile app

VFL probably will since the AFL says so, but I haven't heard anything about the AFL. This week seems to be "play the game not the odds" week...

 

[CrowdedHouse]

AFL website will have a video stream from 12pm with Julia Montesano and Sarah Black.

Our WARF Radio call team will be live from 11am with Pre-Game, including an interview with both coaches. That's on WARFRadio.com and if you bring your radio to the ground, you can hear the call delay free on 89.1FM.

 

[Lore]

Per above, the semi-final streams:

Video starts at midday:

WATCH IT LIVE: The VFLW semi-finals from 12pm AEST

The VFLW semi-final between Pies and Bombers will be followed by the Cats and Southern Saints at 2pm AEST

www.afl.com.au

Radio, pre-game starts at 11am:

Live Stream

Women's Australian Rules Football Radio. (C) 2021

www.warfradio.com

I’ve put them in the sticky as well

 

[Lore]

WARF were just interviewing Brendan Major (our coach), good to listen to!

 

[Lore]

First score our way. Collingwood just kicked a behind so scores level with 5 minutes elapsed so far

 

[Lore]

4-1 all behinds lol

 

[eth-dog]

4-1 all behinds lol

You'd assume so with that scoreline

 

[Lore]

You'd assume so with that scoreline

Well obviously. Scores haven’t changed since I posted it either.

Collingwood have been dominant but haven’t converted so hopefully we can adjust before they start converting :/

 

[pazza]

Tough finals footy. Hardly a clean possession from both sides so far.

 

[pazza]

And the footage goes...

 

[CrowdedHouse]

Pies 4 Dons 3 early 2nd Q.
Warfradio.com feed is fine.

 

[Lore]

Pies 4 Dons 3 early 2nd Q.
Warfradio.com feed is fine.

Yeah just the AFL's feed shat itself :\

 

[Lore]

 

[Lore]

And the footage goes...

It’s back now fwiw

 

[Lore]

We were doing okay there, peppered the goals a bit and scores were level but the Pies just got a goal 10-4