VFLW - Semi Final vs Pies @ Victoria Park, 1pm Sat 15 July 2023

[theDJR]

2023 ROUND 5

Finally, the most relevant game… maybe. As we’ll see, the bulk of our AFLW players are critical to our eventual comfortable win.

We have 6 AFLW players (Georgia & Amber Clarke, Jo Doonan, Steph Wales, Amelia Radford, and Alana Barba) and they have 4 (Joanna Lin, Eliza James, Eleri Morris, and Imogen Evans).

This is the last week we are missing Mia-Rae Clifford due to her Melbourne Rebels sojourn.

After 293 days and 14 missed games (10 AFLW and 4 VFLW), Eloise Ashley-Cooper is back from injuries.

We bring in young gun Lila Keck from the Bendigo Pioneers. Unfortunately she cops an ankle injury early on.

@theDJR

LOL, teams broke after the Last Post but before the anthems. Had to come back. The RSL guy thought that was funny, and after the anthems promised it was now over.

Steph Wales is dominating the game early on.

Meg Ryan kicks her first EFC goal after the siren to get us to an 8-6 lead, and per an obvious promise/dare pulls her top up.

[or top off]

@theDJR

We are murdering our chances.

@theDJR

Why do we love entry via the pockets so much???

We lead 14-7 at half time despite leading inside fifties 25-6…

Bates has 16 disposals, 6 tackles, and 6 clearances at half time. She will eventually get over-taken by Jo Doonan (32 disposals in 80 minutes!) – but only one of those two is playing this weekend.

It’s 21-8 at the final break.

Grace Dicker spends a rare game (for this year) primarily as a forward, and kicks her second goal early in the last quarter.

We won 4.7.31 - 2.3.15 but the game is exasperating as we blow a zillion chances (including around 10 total misses!). Inside fifties are 47-12!!!

@theDJR

Yes, the AFL’s statkeepers think Georgia’s second name is Klarke…

While we will obviously be missing Wales, Doonan, Barba, and Clarke through the midfield, I do have to say our VFLW-listed midfield has bulked up in the second half of this season. Chaston and Molan are regulars and Dicker is becoming more complete.

The forward CLUNKing last week was also a positive sign. If we can break even in the midfield we should be in a good position (please be back, Tamsin!)

[theDJR]

[theDJR]

Brendan Rhodes also predicts FCFC will comfortably lose, so not all is lost.

PREVIEW: rebel VFLW Week Two Finals

SECOND SEMI FINAL: COLLINGWOOD vs ESSENDON

Saturday July 15, 1:00pm, Victoria Park
Head-to-head: Collingwood 4-3. At Victoria Park: Essendon 2-1. Streak: Essendon 2

THIS SEASON

Round 5 at Victoria Park
ESSENDON 1.2, 2.2, 3.4, 4.7 (31)
COLLINGWOOD 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 2.3 (15)

Goals: ESSENDON: G. Dicker 2, M. Ryan, M. Wilson. COLLINGWOOD: E. Morris, J. Tweddle-O’Donnell.
Disposals: ESSENDON: A. Radford 32, A. Barba 22, G. Clarke 20, J. Doonan 19, A. Clarke 18. COLLINGWOOD: J. Bates 28, E. Jackson 24, M. Zander 20, E. Morris 19.
Coaches Votes: ESSENDON: A. Radford, S. Wales 5, A. Clarke 3, G. Clarke, S. Molan 2, M. Ryan 1. COLLINGWOOD: E. Morris 8, J. Bates 3, E. Jackson 1.

…

SUMMARY

The Magpies were supremely impressive in dismissing Port Melbourne’s challenge last week and deserve to start favourites to bank the first spot in the Grand Final. But they are coming up against the reigning premiers, who pinched a double chance when third-placed Williamstown fell short against Carlton last week and will be desperate to earn the week off and a shot at defending their title. Essendon won the only match between these teams this season easily, but those line-ups were stacked with AFLW talent and this game won’t have any of those, so they will have to rely on their VFLW experience to get it done.

EARLY PREDICTION

Collingwood by 9

[theDJR]

Bugger. Crook still out. No changes (not even to the emergencies).

Yes, Wilson is not dead.

VFLW: Semi final team v Collingwood

B	B. Clarke (45)	M. Ford (42)
HB	M. Pearson (64)	S. Molan (73)	Z. Hurrell (53)
C	K. Heil (78)	R. Sutton (72)	C. Ugle (41)
HF	T. Davidge (77)	M. Ryan (76)	O. Manfre (43)
F	M. Wilson (66)	M. Clifford (47)
R	J. Morrow (60)	E. Chaston (61)	G. Dicker (44)
INT	M. Gray (48)	M. Huta (56)	C. Prpic (58)
	S. Orritt (68)	J. Richardson (52)

EMG	L. Spargo (51)	K. Russell (50)	L. Bateman (63)
	E. Cornish (55)

[theDJR]

Pies abandoned their VFLW twitter account last year, only put a “best player" post up each week on their AFLW feed, and haven’t had a VFLW website article since the season started.

We’re not Willy, but we’re nowhere near that ■■■■.

[PH_WARFRadio]

Both teams…

[theDJR]

Since the last game:

ESSENDON IN
Maddison Ford
Scarlett Orritt
Madison Gray
Maddy Pearson
Reese Sutton
Manaia Huta
Mia-Rae Clifford
Olivia Manfre
Zoe Hurrell
Jayda Richardson
Jaimee-Lee Morrow

ESSENDON OUT
Melanie Bateman
Tayla Hart-Aluni
Stephanie Wales
Georgia Clarke
Joanne Doonan
Amelia Radford
Eloise Ashley-Cooper
Alana Barba
Tamsin Crook
Lila Keck
Amber Clarke

[theDJR]

Since the last game:

PIES IN
C. Sargent
C. Bunker
E. Nikolitsis
G. Ricardo
N. Hales
K. Lee

PIES OUT
E. James
E. Morris
E. Shepherd
I. Evans
J. Lin
M. Jarvis

[theDJR]

More on that later, but surface level they’re up and we’re way down.

[theDJR]

TEAMS: rebel VFLW Semi Finals

It means Magpies Alyssa Whiley (knee) and Marnie Jarvis (finger) just failed to come up for the game but are expected to be available for either the preliminary or grand finals, while Amy Kane’s concussion issues continue to trouble her.

The Bombers have a long injury list, headed by Eloise Ashley-Cooper(hamstring) and Tamsin Crook (calf), who could push for selection in their next game.

Ashley-Cooper would need to change the (stupid) rule that cut AFLW players have different eligibility criteria than plain ol’ VFLW players. Who knows if the summary of the other four named players was just as bad…

[theDJR]

Don’t you worry about this.

OUT	IN	Comment	Effect
Eloise Ashley-Cooper	Zoe Hurrell	half-back	plus
Tamsin Crook	Maddison Ford	key defender	loss
Amelia Radford	Scarlett Orritt	mid–>mid?	loss
Alana Barba	Madison Gray	mid–>mid?	loss
Stephanie Wales	Jaimee-Lee Morrow	ruck	loss
Tayla Hart-Aluni	Jayda Richardson	small fwd–>not small fwd	different
Lila Keck	Olivia Manfre	small fwd–>not small fwd	different
Amber Clarke	Manaia Huta	wing	different
Melanie Bateman	Maddy Pearson	key defender	-
Georgia Clarke	Mia-Rae Clifford	key fwd	-
Joanne Doonan	Reese Sutton	mid/fwd	-

[theDJR]

Not attempting the same for the Pies, but adding their captain (Bunker) and tall forward Sargent, while we’re missing Crook, is not great for us.

Nikolitsis stats as inside mid are OK (15 disposals and 4 tackles) but not Bates-worrying.

The others? Stats-wise they look a little down on their round 5 counterparts.

Shallow, I know.

[Catherine_Lio]

LET’S GGGGGOOOOOOO

[theDJR]

Reminder: Mia needs just one goal to reach 50 at EFC, and to break her current all-time tie with Fede.

Though I’d prefer more than one from her today

[theDJR]

[theDJR]

Inspirational, but ■■■■■■■ brutal when you see the date.

Does Courtney know what “too hard” is?*

*actually, she does. It’s when she’s caring for a fallen teammate or opponent, and the coach has to yell “play footy!” at her.

[theDJR]

Ground is dry. Has a few sand-filled bald spots.

We might get through the game with no (light) rain.

Zero wind right now.

Pies with the very early centre circle huddle.

[bigallan]

So long as she doesn’t go full John Landy with Opposition players

[theDJR]

MadGray Cornish Russell are emergencies. Spargo not spotted.

Wilson has her elbow strapped. Not sure if elaborate bluff or we were all blind last week.

[theDJR]

24 players in warmup, so likely as named.

EDIT: given the edit above, yeah, I dunno either. I probably can’t count.