Didn’t she fit into the category of ‘developing’ key position player?
Essendon announce the game 40 hours after it happens. Thanks.
Season proper starts next weekend and they’re hoping to announce the fixture before then…
Captain Georgia Nanscawen (left) and Simone Nalder look on during Thursday night’s practice match against Darebin at the NEC Hangar. (Photo: Kate Heath)
After a long wait between games, Essendon VFLW has resumed in stunning fashion with a 60-point win in a practice match against Darebin Falcons under lights at the NEC Hangar on Thursday night.
The Bombers came out firing in their first game in over a year, defeating the Falcons 78-18 on the eve of the 2021 VFLW season.
Former Melbourne, Geelong and Fremantle AFLW player Mia-Rae Clifford starred with five goals, while Monique DeMatteo and Marianna Anthony kicked two each.
Mia-Rae Clifford starred with a game-high five goals. (Photo: Kate Heath)
Head coach Brendan Major, who is heading into his third season at the helm, was impressed with the cohesion of the group and the way they implemented their strategies in their first hitout.
“We managed to implement some of the things that we have been practising this pre-season,” Major said.
“They have adopted the things we have been working on at training and the way we have been trying to move the ball. We are really happy with the overall team performance.”
Major attributed the Bombers’ quality of play to the hard work the players put in away from the club during a cancelled 2020 season, and the club’s ability to retain a core group from the 2019 season.
New captain and reigning best and fairest Georgia Nanscawen played the majority of the game in the midfield and lead from the front.
The former Hockeyroo and North Melbourne AFLW player gained the first clearance, setting up the forwards early to establish the tone for the rest of the game.
Major said Nanscawen, along with fellow leadership group members Courtney Ugle (vice-captain), Kendra Heil , Clifford and Eloise Ashley-Cooper , provided great direction.
“Georgia is very much a lead-by-example type of person and played most of the game last night in the midfield. She was very instrumental early and set the tone for the rest of the group,” he said.
“Courtney got thrown around a little bit but performed well in multiple roles. Mia-Rae and Kendra also performed really well in their respective roles.
“In terms of their leadership around the group, it has always been exemplary which is why they were voted in.”
Newcomer Jessie Davies , who played for Western Bulldogs in the AFLW, was another who impressed Major with her ability to cover the ground and provide direction to her teammates.
“(Jessie) covered about eight-and-a-half kilometres throughout the game and set us up very well. She gave really good direction and voice,” he said.
“The stats sheet might not reflect an overly influential game but for the way we want to play and set up, she was fantastic. To have that kind of experience coming into our team this year is going to be beneficial for us.”
Davies is one of five players on the VFLW Bombers’ list with AFLW experience, alongside Clifford, Heil, Nanscawen and Cecilia McIntosh.
The experienced quintet will support a youthful squad in 2021, with a host of youngsters already making a big impression on Major.
“Eloise Ashley-Cooper , Alana Barba and Felicity Theodore performed well on Thursday night. They are exciting prospects for us, especially so early on in the year. They have all had good pre-seasons,” he said.
“We have a really good crop of young players coming through and although they aren’t experienced, Libby Hosking , Marianna Anthony and Emma Mackay are all really good outside players with genuine speed and flare.”
Looking ahead to the 2021 VFLW season, Major acknowledged there were a lot of unknowns heading into the season due to list changes and limited opportunities for match practice, but said Thursday night’s practice match had instilled confidence and excitement within the coaching staff.
“They (coaches) have taken ownership of the way we want to play, and I am very excited about where the group is at,” he said.
“I can see a lot of growth and development from the last two years.”
The Bombers were without Nicole Julian and Natalie McDonald (injured) on Thursday night and hope to welcome the pair back for round one.
The VFLW draw is expected to be announced in the coming days with the season due to start next weekend.
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Both clubs have got their Facebook sites back but for some reason the Falcons haven’t mentioned this match 
Pretty sure we haven’t had a five goal individual haul before.
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Don’t suppose it’s up as a Replay anywhere is it? 
Fark! Standing on the side of the road, it seems… hopefully they play on the main oval, stuff those trees.
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Due to Covid-19 and the week-by-week AFLW Fixture, the VFLW will (until further notice) also be announced week-by-week. @PH_WARFRadio will confirm their broadcast matches on RSN Carnival 2 digital radio in the next 24 hours or so.
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I can’t say I’ve ever heard of “VFLM”. Can you please elaborate as to what competition is being referred to here?
any news on when the round 2 date is to be confirmed?
I’m guessing Melbourne/Casey are still hoping to go to WA that week?
@scotty21 may need to change the time of his match to work around the VFLW.
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hopefully we can avoid an overlap with the blitz game
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I’ll just switch local to Goschs paddock.
Ohhhhh you mean our game.
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Info for spectators: VFLW season opener
Everything you need to know for the Bombers’ VFLW season opener at the NEC Hangar on Sunday.
By essendonfc.com.au - 1 hr ago
The VFLW Bombers will open their 2021 campaign at the NEC Hangar on Sunday. (Photo: Essendon FC)
Essendon will open its 2021 VFLW season in a history-making match against the Southern Saints at the NEC Hangar on Sunday.
The match will mark the VFLW Bombers’ first at the NEC Hangar for points in their short history, with the venue set to house a new women’s football facility in the club’s push for an AFLW licence.
Fans will be able to attend the game free, but will need to follow the COVID-19 protocols in place below.
Please note that the match will be played on the MCG Oval at the NEC Hangar (ground closest to the building). Free street parking will be available on Melrose Drive, while public toilets will be set up for general public use.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS:
- All spectators must sign in to the QR code available all around the ground.
- Building access is strictly not allowed for all spectators, including family and friends of players.
- Spectators must view the game from ground level on the far side of the black fence away from the building and interchange benches.
- No spectators are permitted on to the ground or into the football facilities.
- Masks must be worn in the event you are not able to socially distance.
MATCH DETAILS:
Essendon v Southern Saints
10:30am, Sunday, February 28
NEC Hangar, 275 Melrose Drive, Melbourne Airport
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Here’s why you should be confident: the team’s history of scores for (in red) and against (in black), with trend lines.
(OK, I cheated and included last week’s practice game versus Darebin. It doesn’t change the message.)
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Alternative version of the captains photo the VFLW put in their first tweet (with some additional cropping and improvements by myself):
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Since the EFC didn’t list them, I’ve added heights (a few of the younger players may outgrow the below).
Calder’s Tahlia Gillard is 190cm @ 17yo?
BRING. HER. IN.
(Thomay looks to be 160-something.)
P.S. Unlike the EFC site, I went to the effort of including Simone Nalder. As the hit-out leader of the league and our ex-captain, I thought it was the least I could do.
| NUMBER | PLAYER | AGE | HEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Courtney Ugle | 24 | 160 |
| 2 | Felicity Theodore | 19 | 168 |
| 3 | Monique DeMatteo | 23 | 168 |
| 4 | Mia-Rae Clifford | 34 | 170 |
| 5 | Georgia Nanscawen | 28 | 162 |
| 6 | Alex Quigley | 24 | 168 |
| 7 | Jessie Davies | 24 | 170 |
| 8 | Eloise Ashley-Cooper | 20 | 165 |
| 9 | Marianna Anthony | 23 | 168 |
| 10 | Eleanor Cornish | 21 | 177 |
| 11 | Alana Barba | 19 | 165 |
| 13 | Elizabeth Hosking | 25 | 168 |
| 14 | Thomay Nicolaou | 28 | ? |
| 15 | Lauren Caruso | 21 | 161 |
| 16 | Tamsin Crook | 18 | 176 |
| 17 | Federica Frew | 24 | 167 |
| 18 | Kendra Heil | 32 | 166 |
| 19 | Nicole Julian | 28 | 168 |
| 20 | Cecilia McIntosh | 41 | 160 |
| 21 | Alex Morcom | 24 | 166 |
| 22 | Natalie MacDonald | 22 | 164 |
| 24 | Georgie Prespakis | 17 | 168 |
| 25 | Lori Stepnell | 25 | 174 |
| 26 | Taylor Moss | 27 | 178 |
| 27 | Terira Fry | 19 | 170 |
| 28 | Emma Mackay | 30 | 168 |
| 30 | Simone Nalder | 30 | 186 |
| 31 | Eloise Gardner | 22 | 175 |
| 40 | Laura Cocomello | 18 | 173 |
| 41 | Jemma Finning | 18 | 165 |
| 42 | Elizabeth Snell | 18 | 161 |
| 44 | Grace Dicker | 20 | 166 |
| 46 | Gloria Elarmaly | 20 | 173 |
| 47 | Emilia Yassir | 17 | 160 |
| - | Tahlia Gillard | 17 | 190 |
| - | Zali Friswell | 17 | 165 |
| - | Shelby Meyers | 19 | 161 |
| - | Kasey Lennox | 17 | 174 |
| - | Neve Crowley | 17 | 175 |
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Darebin and Willy had a who’s-worst fight?
Willy 2.5.17 defeated the Falcons 1.9.15
“Upon the conclusion of the AFLW season, VFLW sides will only be able to field up to 10 AFLW players per match.”
Not clear if this means the end of individual team’s seasons, or the end of finals.
Now we’re just rubbing it in Coburg’s face!
Childhood Bombers supporter Eloise Gardner is living the dream. (Photo: Essendon FC)
When Essendon VFLW debutant Eloise Gardner took to the NEC Hangar for round one against the Southern Saints, it was extra significant as she ran out not only as a player, but as a lifetime Bombers supporter.
The 22-year-old, who grew up idolising Matthew Lloyd and James Hird, started following Essendon through her grandfather Ken Parker, who played at the club in the 1960s.
For Gardner to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps, it was extremely special for not only herself but also for her family, who have been her biggest supporters since she started playing football at the age of 17.
“My grandpa was at the Bombers for a year back in the ‘60s and I don’t think he ever played a game, but he has been a passionate Essendon supporter ever since so my whole family are Essendon (supporters),” Gardner said.
"It was very special for (my family) as well. They have supported me the whole way to get me to this point, so it was very special for them.
“To get to that point and play my first game means a lot and was very exciting. It made all the hard work it took to get there worth it.”
Eloise Gardner on the track. (Photo: Celie Hay)
As a 17-year-old, Gardner played her first season of football for Darebin Falcons in the under-18 competition, spending another three years in their senior side before making the move to Essendon ahead of the cancelled 2020 season.
It wasn’t until the AFLW was established in 2017 and the introduction of Essendon into the VFLW in 2018, however, that Gardner realised the goal of playing for the club she grew up supporting wasn’t so far out of reach.
"It is one of those things that as a kid you don’t think will ever happen. You hope it might but then especially as a female, you realise that it might not happen the way you dream of as a kid,” Gardner said.
“When the AFLW competition was announced, I had just started playing footy for Darebin. Then all of the AFLW teams wanted VFLW teams which was when Essendon came in, so it was always in the back of my mind that I’d love to have the opportunity to play for them so then I decided to move clubs and play for Essendon.”
Since moving to Essendon, Gardner has formed many close friendships but has a special bond with vice-captain Courtney Ugle, who presented Gardner with her Bombers jumper before the round one clash with the Southern Saints.
"I didn’t know she was going to (present the jumper) so it was very special for ‘Ugez’ (Ugle) to do that. She was one of the first people who welcomed me into the club when I first got there, and she is such a positive, happy person around the club,” she said.
“We have become quite good friends over the past year, so it was very special for her to be able to do that."
As well as Ugle, Gardner has also learnt from other senior members of the team as she works towards developing her role as a key-position player in the Bombers’ backline.
“I look up to our captain ‘G’ (Georgia Nanscawen) a lot. She played hockey for Australia, so I think that’s pretty cool,” she said.
"'Sim’ (Simone Nalder) is someone who has taken me under her wing a lot as well. I knew her from Darebin and we did a few running sessions together during COVID. She has a lot of leadership experience, so she has been able to guide me a lot with that as well.”
Looking towards the rest of the year, Gardner has aspirations of being drafted to the AFLW, however, after the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID, she wants to enjoy being able to play footy again.
“I’d love to get to the AFLW eventually, but I think after not being able to play footy for the past year, I just want to enjoy playing footy and enjoy being at Essendon,” she said.
“If I can play every game in the VFLW, that would be very special.”
Gardner and the VFLW Bombers will take on the Casey Demons in their round two match at Casey Fields on Saturday at 1pm.
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Behind-the-scenes 30 minute video (OK, the second half is about the men, but whatevs):
The culture of the women’s team is awesome. They make me so proud. I won’t repeat myself but instead point to this part of my 2019 season review:
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