Final round match-ups
OK, so a few things are now clear – the grand final will be in Melbourne, with the Bulldogs and Melbourne both on 16 points (unless something wild happens like they draw and GWS/Adelaide win by a ridiculous amount!)
The Bulldogs have the superior percentage, with 148.9%, while Melbourne are on 119.3%. Since they play each other, on Saturday night, the winner will go straight into the grand final, and also host it.
GWS and Adelaide are then in third and fourth, both on 14 points after they drew with each other. GWS’ percentage is just superior (112.4% v 101%). GWS will take on the Lions on Friday night at their home in Blacktown – with a win potentially seeing them take on the winner of WB v Melbourne – depending on what Adelaide do against Collingwood in the last match of the round at Olympic Park in Melbourne.
Fremantle play Carlton on Saturday in the only dead rubber of the round. So... in other words... mostly anything could happen! Strap in for a dramatic final round. What a season.
I’ll have a wrap-up column up for you to read tomorrow, and the same next week. Catch you here soon!
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Melbourne defeat Carlton by 35 points
Great result for the Demons, and a nice percentage boost to boot, although it has come at a heavy cost, losing their vice-captain Mel Hickey to what looks likely to be a season-ending left knee injury. Melbourne shot out of the blocks with a record six goals in the first quarter, but only added a couple more for the next few quarters in what at one stage looked like it could be a blowout.
O’Dea says the injury to Hickey has left the team flat, and they’re “worried” for her – she’ll check on her after the match. Laughs off her own three-goal, 19 disposal performance, saying it’s pretty easy for her when Daisy Pearce gets “tagged by two people”. Tegan Cunningham also on TV now, with a couple of black eyes from last week. Says she’s “loving” her time on the field (as a former basketballer) and acknowledges that next week is effectively a preliminary final, with the Demons needing to beat the Bulldogs to make the grand final.
Final score: Melbourne 8.9 (57) defeat Carlton 3.4 (22)
I’ll be back in a moment with next week’s games and some predictions!
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Q4 01:23 Carlton 3.4 (22) v Melbourne 8.9 (57)
Alright, just as I say the scoring has dried up for Melbourne, Cunningham takes a nice mark on an angle, and hits up Kate Hore unselfishly, who kicks her second goal. Great season from Hore. Shelley Scott races up to 19 possessions to equal Elise O’Dea’s tally, followed by the two Pearces on 17.
Q4 03:20 Carlton 3.4 (22) v Melbourne 7.9 (51)
Ashleigh Guest now being forced from the ground - think that one was a clash of heads or bodies rather than any soft tissue injury, though. Newman also looks like she’ll return to the field, which is good news amongst otherwise bleak news! OK scrap that, she’s limping badly on the ground. Surely you wouldn’t risk her - Dees must get her off.
Dees haven’t looked like scoring really since they managed six in the first quarter. Strange game, really.
Q4 04:50 Carlton 3.4 (22) v Melbourne 7.9 (51)
Not great news here again for the Demons with Aleisha Newman getting treated for a possible groin injury. Jakobssen should come back in next week, but won’t be a great result if the Dees can’t pick Newman. She’s provided pace and crumbing skill that the Dees lack otherwise.
Georgia Gee manages a goal for the Blues - her first in the AFLW! They get around here in a nice moment. She’s just 18 years old and was pick 12 in the draft. Exciting player.
Q4 07:30 Carlton 2.3 (15) v Melbourne 7.9 (51)
Kate Loynes with a desperate smother and tackle, almost snags a goal with pure pressure, but forces a rushed behind instead. Loynes is showing the way for her teammates in the absence of leaders like Davey and Arnell.
Thanks for picking up on this Sophie! Not really what we’re used to, is it!
sidenote i am LOVING the all female commentary team for #AFLWBluesDees , excellent work @FOXFOOTY
— sophie (@soph_welsh) March 11, 2018
Q4 09:47 Carlton 2.2 (14) v Melbourne 7.9 (51)
6,300 in attendance today. Dees started on fire, but game has slowed down since then.
Possession leaders: O’Dea (18), L. Pearce (17), D. Pearce and Scott (16)
Footy + friends = 😀👌❤😗 #AFLW #AFLWBluesDees pic.twitter.com/Gw8BGn39fK
— 🌈 Justina Ashman 🌈 (@justinaashman) March 11, 2018
Mel Hickey sitting on the bench with plenty of ice, taped up on the side of her medial ligament. Not sure that’s “good” news but it’s certainly not as bad as an ACL, which some suspected.
Q4 12:39 Carlton 2.2 (14) v Melbourne 7.9 (51)
Final term underway, but it’s the Demons not the Blues doing the attacking so far. Whitford gets a shot away on a tight angle, but she can’t convert.
Lots of people have been sharing this photo around, so I’m definitely not the first to do so, but I love it too! Doesn’t even need a caption, really.
You can talk about scores. Sponsorship. Crowd sizes. Skill level. None of that matters.
— tina pratt (@tmc071) March 10, 2018
Look at her face. Look at it. That’s what matters #AFLW pic.twitter.com/2a21wUKGNX
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Q4 15:00 Carlton 2.2 (14) v Melbourne 7.8 (50)
Carlton coach Damien Keeping on TV, says he’s given his team permission to roll the dice and play exciting footy – shackles and pressure off in other words. Let’s see what they can produce.
Three-quarter-time Carlton 2.2 (14) v Melbourne 7.8 (50)
A real lull fell over the ground (and commentary team) as Hickey was helped from the ground. Reminded me a bit of Sheahan (now commentating) when she did her ACL in season one and came off in tears – very emotional and upsetting for everyone involved! Here’s hoping she’s OK, but it really didn’t look good – and Hickey herself shook her head continuously as she reached the bench.
No goals for the quarter as things significantly tightened up – let’s see how the Demons respond, and if they can play on as well without their vice-captain.
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Q3 00:59 Carlton 2.2 (14) v Melbourne 7.7 (49)
Lots of very upset Mel Hickey fans on Twitter. Let you know if we hear any update.
Watching Mel Hickey in tears coming off the ground is devastating. She deserves all the success in the world #AFLWBluesDees
— anne dee (@AndyJamberg) March 11, 2018
Oh Mel. Please god no😭😭😭#AFLWBluesDees
— Megan Hustwaite (@MeganHustwaite) March 11, 2018
Mel Hickey suffers serious left knee injury
Oh no, some potentially very bad news here for Melbourne’s vice-captain who has gone down grabbing the back of her knee – and didn’t seem to have any contact on it, which is usually a bad sign. Is in tears as she leaves the ground – devastating. Didn’t look good the replay, and she’s getting helped off by several trainers. Would be absolutely heartbreaking if Hickey is hurt, she’s a veteran of the comp and no-one would want to see her miss out on what looks increasingly like a grand final appearance.
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Q3 07:00 Carlton 2.1 (13) v Melbourne 7.7 (49)
Lions fans haven’t given up on their season.
Pretty straight forward for @lionsaflw to make the @aflwomens GF, if they can flex their muscles against @GWSGIANTS and have a big percentage boosting win, then @BulldogsW roll @melbournefc and @CollingwoodFCW beat @Adelaide_FC they are in. Seems easy enough... #optimistic #AFLW pic.twitter.com/VikvJnzQyB
— Barry Gibson (@GibsonBarry) March 11, 2018
I have to say, there’s a lot of complicated arithmetic going on...
POTENTIAL SPANNER in the #AFLW works next week if the pictured scenario occurs. Sure, the odds of it occurring are astronomical but it's fun to think about! @outersanctum01 @GirlsPlayFooty @aflwomens pic.twitter.com/yY12ElF7gZ
— Gigs (@AndrewGigacz) March 10, 2018
Meanwhile, this is resembling a training drill for Melbourne with Shelley Scott found all on her own in the square for the Dees, but she cannons it into the goalpost. That won’t make the highlight reel.
Q3 09:25 Carlton 2.1 (13) v Melbourne 7.6 (48)
Newman has a snap round the body from the boundary but it’s too cute and dribbles through for a point only. The Dees, meanwhile, give away a 50m penalty to Carlton on the kick-out, which concedes some important ground. O’Dea looks to interfere with Stevens but no free kick is paid. Lots of back and forward, congested footy to begin the third term.
Sheahan says she can’t figure out Carlton’s game-plan, given they’re second-last for uncontested possessions, and third last for congested possessions. I think that just says they’re not executing it well, whatever it is.
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Q3 11:50 Carlton 2.1 (13) v Melbourne 7.5 (47)
We’re back underway and Scott attempts a long bomb from 50m but it falls short, and Cunningham finally gives away (rather than receives) a free-kick.
In case you’re wondering about the weather here, it’s a very dreary, grey 20 degrees. Nothing like the 35ish in Darwin with some very nice purple/orange sky in the background (which looked a little bit like below).
It appears that Melbourne has missed the Round 6, Purple Sky Memo and will be going with grey for this afternoon’s game. #AFLWBluesDees pic.twitter.com/GlFxZoq8LF
— theoutersanctum (@outersanctum01) March 11, 2018
Half-time Carlton 2.1 (13) v Melbourne 7.5 (47)
Much more subdued quarter from the Dees - they kicked a record six goals in the first quarter, but only added one this term. The Blues, meanwhile, outscored them with two of their own to gain a little pride back. O’Dea, who had 11 disposals at quarter-time, added just the one, and leads the goal-scoring with three goals. Cunningham has 3.2 and Carlton’s defence has no answer for her so far.
Daisy Pearce on the TV at half-time claims her heavily-taped knee is “nothing” and looks “more dramatic than it is”. She’s been relatively quiet by her own lofty standards (eight disposals).
Both Harris and Vescio really stood up in that quarter with their class, while Gillespie-Jones leads the disposal count for the Blues with six, while she’s also laid three tackles. Harrington and Sarah Hosking have five each.
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Q2 00:50 Carlton 2.1 (13) v Melbourne 7.5 (47)
Meanwhile, a bit of flak for Sheahan on Twitter.
Given their performances gotta wonder why Kate Sheahan hasn't questioned the coaching of #Carlton like she has the #Pies #AFLW #AFLWBluesDees
— RP Reynolds (@ThatAllUGot) March 11, 2018
Q2 01:50 Carlton 2.1 (13) v Melbourne 7.4 (46)
Kate Sheahan is on special commentary today and reckons that the size four ball is harder to bounce than the size five. Can’t say I have a lot of experience in that area (can’t bounce any of them well) - but it’s an interesting observation. Remembering that the size four ball was introduced for AFLW season one, when none of these players had played with a size four before - just one of the many adjustments, like the 16 a side, that these women have adapted to.
Q2 04:17 Carlton 2.1 (13) v Melbourne 7.4 (46)
Guess who? NO it’s not O’Dea, but Cunningham again. Another holding free-kick. She’s had several dfferent defenders on her already, but all have panicked - this time Gillespie-Jones. That’s her third to equal O’Dea’s three.
Q2 05:20 Carlton 2.1 (13) v Melbourne 6.4 (40)
Have to agree with Peter, I do love the old grandstand at Ikon. Far superior in comfort to the Whitten Oval grandstand, sadly. Got to love the community, grassroots/DIY feel of the AFLW.
These are oddly some of the most comfortable seats I’ve sat on at the footy #ikonpark @CarltonFC @aflwomens
— Peter Guthrey (@pguthrey) March 11, 2018
Loving the history of the venue ... it’s quite a time capsule other than the club training facility #AFLWBluesDees pic.twitter.com/BlUNLDeUEo
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Q2 07:42 Carlton 2.1 (13) v Melbourne 6.4 (40)
Would be interested in your thoughts on Carlton’s recruiting - obviously game up a lot to get Harris, who has showed plenty and will no doubt be worth it, but clearly went with a strategy to trade for now (e.g. bringing Collingwood’s best and fairest Stevens over) - and it hasn’t worked this season. Not a good look for your list manager to walk out the night before the game against the Dogs, either.
Meanwhile Cunningham misses another set shot after a free - clearly worrying her defenders into making mistakes.
Q2 11:05 Carlton 2.1 (13) v Melbourne 6.3 (39)
Carlton have started the quarter with a lot more fluency then they showed in the first quarter, finding some overlap handballs and run. Let’s hope it stays that way for Blues and neutral fans.
It does, for now, with Vescio scrapping a goal for the Blues after they manage to scramble it forward. Vescio wins the foot race and finds her first.
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Q2 14:20 Carlton 1.1 (7) v Melbourne 6.3 (39)
What a start to the second term – Tayla Harris collects the ball from outside 50, runs around several opponents and barrels one through from 40m out. She looks angry, Harris, and is fired up in a way her teammates aren’t.
Quarter-time Carlton 0.1 (1) v Melbourne 6.3 (39)
Throw paid against the Blues on the cusp of quarter-time, Hore takes the free-kick just 15m out directly in front. It’s a goal to the Demons to cap off a convincing first-term. Shout out to Elise O’Dea who has had an enormous 11 disposals (eight kicks, three handballs, two marks, one tackle) and three goals – that would be huge in an ordinary AFL quarter, but a reminder that the AFLW quarters are only 15 minutes with time-on!
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Q1 00:37 Carlton 0.1 (1) v Melbourne 5.3 (33)
Further trouble for the Blues as Mithen takes a free 45m out. Not sure why advantage wasn’t paid to Paxman, who took the game on and kicked a beautiful running goal. It goes back to Mithen who tries to hit up Newman, but she can’t mark.
You may remember that the Bulldogs earned their enormous percentage (currently 148.4%) with a 73 point win over the Blues. Every chance Melbourne can repeat or better that today if things continue this way.
Q1 01:25 Carlton 0.1 (1) v Melbourne 5.2 (32)
Richelle ‘Rocky’ Cranston is playing in the ruck for the Dees today, something we haven’t seen this season yet. Tayla Harris trying her heart out for the Blues, but can’t get any connection happening. Teammates look bereft of confidence and ideas.
Loving the form of Eden Zanker, looks a natural footballer. She hits up Hore in the forward 50, but Hore can’t convert.
Q1 06:05 Carlton 0.1 (1) v Melbourne 5.1 (31)
Guess who? O’Dea lines up for her third goal in the first fifteen minutes of the first quarter. She drills it. Not sure what’s going on with the Blues but she was all alone in the forward line. Some terrible checking going on.
Q1 06:05 Carlton 0.1 (1) v Melbourne 4.1 (25)
Great pick-up by Vescio, who bombs it long inside the 50, but the ball is chopped off by Harriet Cordner, who is equal-fifth in the league for contested marks (soccer background, so not a natural footballer, but looking plenty like one!)
Tegan Cunningham finding plenty of the ball in the forward line in a(nother) worrying sign for the Blues. This time her pressure creates an opportunity for the speedster Newman, whose kick ricochets off Hardiman and sets up another shot on goal for O’Dea. She kicks truly. Dees mean business!
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Q1 09:36 Carlton 0.1 (1) v Melbourne 3.1 (19)
Nice link-up from Hickey and Pearce sets up Zanker just outside the 50, whose kick is perfectly weighted for Cunningham about 35m out, straight in front. She’s missed a much easier shot, but this one is right through the middle. Danger signs for Carlton (and everyone wanting a spot in the grand final!)
Q1 10:47 Carlton 0.1 (1) v Melbourne 2.1 (13)
Apparently, the Dees need to win by 85 points to topple the Bulldogs on the top of the ladder. Don’t see that happening - but a big win is going to be important, potentially – and Melbourne will remember well what happened last season (when they just missed the grand final on percentage).
The Blues are having all sorts of trouble getting the ball past the centre square, but finally do so through a free kick to Loynes. The ball finally makes its way into their 50, but it’s just a minor score.
Q1 12:58 Carlton 0.0 (0) v Melbourne 2.1 (13)
This time it’s Pearce (Daisy) with the inside 50, and it sits perfectly for Cunningham, who snaps a right foot banana for another goal – two in the minute for the on-fire Dees!
Q1 13:40 Carlton 0.0 (0) v Melbourne 1.1 (7)
Quite the scrappy start to this one, but it is pumped into the 50 by Scott, and ‘T-Rex’ Tegan Cunningham gets a free for an arm hold. She’s just 10m out, but misses to the right. Poor miss from Cunningham.
But, before I can post this, Elise O’Dea hits the scoreboard with a major thanks to a poor kick-out from the Blues - they go for Harris who is two-on-one and she can’t complete the mark. Well roved by O’Dea for a goal.
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Elise O’Dea is on telly, talking about how they’re thrilled with the way results have fallen, meaning their season and destiny is in their own hands. Still they’ll be wary of how Collingwood overran Brisbane with everything on the line for the Lions, and the Pies with nothing to lose. Carlton similarly have nothing to lose - and significant pride to gain.
20 degrees and overcast at Ikon Park with a fairly decent crowd in attendance, by the looks – including some new to the game.
Taking a crew to the #AFLW game today to see these amazing women in action as part of my feminist football outreach program. #joking #notreally Some are going to their first game of footy EVER, some to their first women’s game, some are more seasoned campaigners. #AFLWBluesDees pic.twitter.com/u1Gr66OQF8
— Carmen Hawker (@CarmenHawker) March 11, 2018
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Great to see the fans getting behind the Respect initiative - as seen on Twitter.
Ready for the #CarltonRespects #AFLWBluesDees @CarltonFC game at Ikon Park. Go Blues @aflwomens #gamechangers #marngrook pic.twitter.com/dAHxfIB67h
— Shelley Ware (@ShelleyWare) March 11, 2018
Our teams have just made their way onto the ground, so we should be ready to go shortly. Footage has just begun on TV!
Preventing violence against women
For those who are unaware, today’s match between the Blues and Demons is the inaugural ‘Carlton Respects’ game, which is dedicated to promoting gender equality and, in turn, the prevention of violence against women. The Carlton players are wearing orange socks to mark the occasion.
Heading to today's @aflwomens clash against the Demons at Ikon Park? We're encouraging all Bluebaggers to wear a splash of orange to help promote gender equality for the prevention of violence against women.
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) March 11, 2018
Find out more: https://t.co/v4SCiQCFFG#AFLWBluesDees #CarltonRespects pic.twitter.com/GhAMCMysGQ
Read more about the initiative here. Or ask me about it – I was one of the trainers who delivered gender equity training to the club (true story)!
Great initiative – evidence clearly shows that gender inequality drives violence against women, so anything we can do to promote gender equity will also work to prevent violence against women. Read all about it in Our Watch’s ‘Change the Story’ – the national framework for the prevention of violence against women.
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Welcome
Hello everyone and welcome to this live blog of the final AFLW game of the round between Carlton and Melbourne at Ikon Park. This has turned out to be a critical clash after some shock upsets on Saturday: Collingwood defeating Brisbane and GWS defeating the top-placed Bulldogs.
If Melbourne win today, they will go level with the Bulldogs on top of the ladder, the two then facing off in the final round for a spot in the grand final. First, however, they must make it past the under-performing Blues.
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