ROUND 2
EFC 4.11.35 draws Willy 5.5.35 (I know!!!)
IN: M. Busch, S. Ford, A. Gaylor, S. Wales
OUT: T. Crabtree (ankle, 10 weeks), S. Molan (unavailable), C. Prpic (knee, 6 weeks), K. Tracey
EFC, pls:
Sarah Ford is also set to don the sash for the first time
Perkins seen in the dreaded moonboot.
Melnikas kicks her first goal for us, to lead 7-1. It took ten minutes to equal last week’s score!
Wales is dominating, but is creatively finding ways not to kick a goal in this VFLW season.
Little Adams sneaks forward and kicks her first EFC goal from >40m out (video)

Wales marks in a pack of ten on the wing.
It was like when Andre the Giant was getting beat upon by ten opponents, and then he springs up throwing them asunder.
Jayda four juggle mark. Looked clear, but not paid.
that was a clear mark, even the comms were surprised
Got screwed big time in those last couple minutes.
3.4.22 leads 0.1.1 at quarter time.
Reminder: no wind here today.
great tackle!
And fifty, and Gaylor kicks her first goal for Essendon.
29-1
There’s no way we don’t win from here, right?
That’s a pity goal from us. Handballed it straight to Whiting twenty out in front.
29-8
that was weird
Why is Busch on Whiting?
Over the top and goal.
29-15
There is a small amount of breeze now, but it’s not why the game has changed.
What a sensational mark!
Richo Richo Girl!
Marks on the point post.
Then slices entirely across goals to Orritt.
Who misses after the siren.
4.6.30 leads 2.3.15 at halftime.
SHUT. UP. to the person below.
I don’t know how they think they win with Whiting in defence.
But a goal for us would make me more comfy.
4.8.32 we lead 3.3.21 at the final break.
29-13 inside fifty, 12-6 scores. Should be further ahead.
Rebound and whiting was always going to beat Busch there.
Eek.
33-28
Have I ever mentioned we are one legit forward away from a lot more wins?
With 7 minutes to go, Eaves goal we trail 33-35.
With 4.5 minutes to go, we trail 34-35.
Richo another mark 45 out. Centres to Wales, and…
… falls short.
AshMelnikas point!
35-35
125 seconds left!
This woman ump has dudded us in back-to-back weeks.
That was BALL.
And ALSO…
Willy blatantly drop it 30 metres out.
NOPE.
I was 150 metres away and I could see that drop. Mahony should have been kicking for the win after the siren…
Inside fifties 38-17 our way.
One forward… though Jayda with five marks was decently dangerous.
It was actually six marks, as noted earlier, but the umps said NO.
BFY, TW.
Busch tops the disposals with 25, but I wouldn’t say it was a great game, especially when she was in defence.
Elsewhere, the Cats lose 2-98 to the Hawks and complain online about their lack of experience. Newsflash: we had a lot less than them!
With a scoreline of 4.11 there are plenty to blame… but I’ll put it on a stupid ump:
Richo marks and is put on a completely wrong angle. I think the ump legit got confused and lined her up between the goal and the point post, Malcolm Blight style. That almost certainly costs us the win.
I don’t claim to be perfect (and certainly my second eye is pretty murky) but holy hell there are some bad reports out there. That’s worse when you’re almost the only reporter.
ICYMI | VFLW Round 2 2024 - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central
Olivia Manfre was lively in attack for Essendon … Lori Stepnell was a workhorse in midfield
Manfre had 4 disposals and 1 mark, and Stepnell was CHB with 16 disposals and 5 marks … and they were often on each other.
Coach votes
10 Sharnie Whiting (WIL)
8 Mia Busch (ESS)
3 Ashlea Melnikas (ESS)
3 Ashley Thorneycroft (WIL)
2 Chloe Adams (ESS)
2 India Barker (WIL)
2 Stephanie Wales (ESS)

