AFLW North Melbourne Football Club AFLW - Season 2024

[The Nostradamus]

And now we in for an even windier game at that shithole in Casey fields

We better have a plan and matchup for Kate hore when she goes forward

 

[DuckYeah]

that last quarter spoil by birch on the goal line ended up being very important to stop the behind

Saved us from a loss

She didn’t spoil anything. The ball bounced back into play. She missed it, bounce saved her.

 

[shintemaster]

fumbles, lack of cohesion and lethargic maybe from heat last week. lucky to escape with draw… take it and move on.

That's what I thought as well Garner could barely move by the 4th quarter.

 

[Colby Cheer Squad]

They didn't let the "makeshift smaller ruck" dominate at all, Rennie and King dominated the hitouts, we are being outplayed once the ball hits the ground, Garner, Riddell and Mia King are struggling to get first use, there clearance numbers are well below previous seasons. Perhaps there's been a "disconnect" between our rucks and midfielders early in the season, and to lay blame on one player is a little misguided.

Also, for the second week in a row our midfield was beaten by one opponent who has dominated the clearances (Anderson 15 clearances last week and McDonald 13 today) suggesting we are struggling to apply defensive pressure in the middle as well.

We can no doubt improve in clearances but simply pointing at Amy McDonald's numbers in isolation is a little misleading.

Yesterday, we won Clearances 29-27. We lost Centre Clearances 3-7 which is concerning, but we were 26-20 in general Stoppage Clearances. Geelong had Amy McDonald playing very well but after that, their midfield kind of fell off a cliff. Georgie Prespakis was missing in action. Nina Morrison was okay without being a standout. Friswell and Bowen contributed.

The greater concern for me was how wasteful our midfield was with the possessions and clearances that they did win. Jas and Ash were at 57 and 56% disposal efficiency, while Mia was down at 42%. I would like to see them win more of the ball but I also want them to use it more effectively.

 

[muttley45]

And now we in for an even windier game at that shithole in Casey fields

We better have a plan and matchup for Kate hore when she goes forward

What about old mate Paxy ?

 

[CURVE]

We can no doubt improve in clearances but simply pointing at Amy McDonald's numbers in isolation is a little misleading.

Yesterday, we won Clearances 29-27. We lost Centre Clearances 3-7 which is concerning, but we were 26-20 in general Stoppage Clearances. Geelong had Amy McDonald playing very well but after that, their midfield kind of fell off a cliff. Georgie Prespakis was missing in action. Nina Morrison was okay without being a standout. Friswell and Bowen contributed.

The greater concern for me was how wasteful our midfield was with the possessions and clearances that they did win. Jas and Ash were at 57 and 56% disposal efficiency, while Mia was down at 42%. I would like to see them win more of the ball but I also want them to use it more effectively.

Actually, my main point was the lack of defensive pressure in the middle and how we are allowing arguably our opposition's best clearance midfielder to dominate in the centre, and for a second week in a row that player has won almost half of the opposition's total clearances and at no stage were we unable to quell their influence. It didn't cost us (except for percentage) against the Lions, but yesterday it may have cost us a win, despite how poorly we played. We may have done better at the Stoppage clearances, but it's two weeks in a row we have been badly beaten in the middle, and overall, our clearance numbers are down on last season, by almost 20%. We aren't going to win much if we are continually beaten in the middle.

Everybody was wasteful yesterday, not only our midfielders. Crocks has some work to do during the week to get us ready for the Dees at "Windy" Fields.

 

[Horace]

Watching from afar, there were not too many positives to take out of yesterday's game. The only one probably the 2 points.
The Cats were in my opinion, the better side and from what I saw, they could have won by a couple of goals, if not for two shots at goal bouncing backwards into play.

If I am not mistaken, we have struggled in recent games against the Cats and unless things change, they are sure to beat us very soon. Let's hope it does not happen in an important final, assuming we even get there.

Having said that, the girls looked way off yesterday and maybe in part that was due to the heat in Brisbane, plus having expended a lot of emotional energy into getting the Brisbane "monkey off their backs". If in part the latter, then once again, it points to how much of this game is played above the shoulders.

We also missed big time, Alice O'Loughlin. Needed a bit of her goalkicking nous in a low scoring game.

Depressingly we have to go to that terrible venue, Casey Fields next week. Dreadful place to play football. It should be bulldozed and converted into houses or parkland.

And by the way, another terrible display by the umpires. Not up to standard, assuming there is a standard they have to meet of course.

 

[The Nostradamus]

O’Shea back in for Burke will help a lot especially with speed back there

Still shaking my head at that selection, would’ve rather even a Slocombe debut or kavanagh both with that pace that Erika has. Both more wingers but could play a hbf role

She didn’t spoil anything. The ball bounced back into play. She missed it, bounce saved her.

Fair but luckily she didn’t spoil it for a rush behind and kept it going forward in play

 

[liamiefor3]

Thought the conditions favoured Geelong yesterday. Our spine is such a strength but once the ball became slippery those clunks stopped sticking and it became a ground ball game - which Geelong’s zippy midfield seemed to beat us to 2/3 times. Lucky the finals are played in November/December

 

[Twinkletoes]

I suspect the high 30’s game v the premiers the week prior took a far larger toll on our legs than we were expecting as well. We looked a step short.

 

[giantroo]

 

[muttley45]

How is the new recruit Sophie Kavanagh coming along ?

 

[shinboner magic]

Burke doesn’t look the fittest and Bresh looks to of been in a good paddock as well.

 

[CURVE]

No regrets as Roos star chases dream opportunity abroad

No regrets as Roos star chases dream opportunity abroad​

Irish Roo Vikki Wall missed last season after accepting an opportunity with Ireland's rugby sevens program
By Dylan Bolch

Vikki Wall celebrates a goal for North Melbourne against Brisbane on September 01, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

NORTH Melbourne superstar Vikki Wall had a dream to represent Ireland in the Olympics.

While it didn't quite work out as she'd planned, she doesn't have any regrets about putting her life on hold to pursue an opportunity she describes as "incredible".

Wall missed the 2023 AFLW season after accepting an opportunity with Ireland's rugby sevens program ahead of the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

The highly-credentialed Gaelic footballer had won two consecutive Player of the Year awards for Meath before making the move to Australian shores for her debut campaign in season seven, where she played all 13 matches to finish inside the top five for the AFLPA's Best First Year Player award.

She had thrived in the royal blue and white under coach Darren Crocker, making a name for herself as a powerful forward who never shirked a contest.

But then came a call she wasn't expecting.

Wall was given the opportunity to participate in Ireland's women's rugby sevens program, the possibility of representing her home nation on the biggest stage of all something she simply couldn't pass up.

And so, in August of last year began the start of new beginnings for the star Roo, who packed her bags to chase the opportunity of a lifetime.

"I had a really, really good year, just experiencing a completely different sport. I got to do a fair bit of travel, we travelled quite a lot for the World Series and training camps," Wall told AFL.com.au.

"It was interesting just to see how a different sports environment works, the professionalism and stuff like that. It's obviously half the size of a [squad] here and the same scale of football, its way, way smaller. It was definitely a good experience."

Ireland had qualified for the Olympics last summer and were looking to bolster their squad ahead of the campaign, with Wall scouted as a potential cross-code star.

"They just reached out and I had a few catch-ups with them and stuff like that. We discussed what they thought I could bring to the program and hopefully I did bring some of that," she said.

Wall said there were definitely times where she questioned herself during a tough transition, but did she hesitate at the opportunity? Absolutely not.

"There was maybe a bit of stupidity or maybe naivety where you think you can do these things. It didn't really go through my head; I was straight into it before maybe even thinking about the things that could go wrong," she said.

"But I think you have to be like that otherwise you're not going to do something fully.

"There were definitely a lot of moments of doubt and asking, 'What am I doing?' in the first few months. It was a tough transition but the experience I had throughout the year, I was really glad that I did it."

Wall fought for her place in the talented Irish line-up, admitting it gave her a greater understanding on what it was like to really question your place in a team.

"In comparison to other games I've played, I definitely got a lot less game time than what I'm used to," she said.

"It's seven players on a pitch with very few subs, so there's way less opportunities for [squad] members.

"Being on the other side of that, I've been very privileged in sport up until now, all teams talk about your values and all these things, but how well they're implemented from the other side of a squad list.

"If you're not getting picked for all the tours or for games, [it's about] how you still have a job to do. We still have to show up and how you hold yourself in that manner versus if you're getting picked every week, that kind of balances out amongst the whole squad.

"I definitely learned a lot from the experience, just from a holistic approach to sport."

Despite missing out on the squad to participate in Paris, Wall was fortunate enough to travel to France to watch her teammates battle it out on the world stage.

While she admitted the experience was tinged with a sense of disappointment for missing out on a spot on the team, she was full of pride for the girls she had grown so close with.

"That was a pretty cool experience as a whole, but I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a bit of disappointment, because everyone wants to be on the pitch," she said.

"But there was a sense of pride as well. You get to know the girls, there were some who had been involved for 10 years and missed out on qualification twice and then in their 10th year, get to the Olympics.

"You can kind of compartmentalise your own feelings and very much look at it as a bigger picture and see how good it was for those players. It was a really good experience to see them, obviously they didn't finish where they wanted to, but it was pretty elite to go over."

Wall said she wasn't done with her Olympic dream just yet.

"I don't think my time in Rugby 7s is done … I'd like to give it another pop," she said.

"We'll see with the timing of competitions how things work out going forward.

"What does my future look like? I have no idea. I'm just enjoying my time here at the moment and just trying not to think about it too much.

"I know I'm here for this season and I want to really enjoy it. I'll make plans going forward from there, but right now I'm not thinking about what's next, because I think sometimes you can get too stuck down with that and should instead live in the moment."

Vikki Wall catches Kate Lutkins holding the ball during the match between Brisbane and North Melbourne at Brighton Homes Arena in round one, 2024 Picture: AFL Photos

The Roos have started their 2024 campaign in strong form, dismantling reigning premier Brisbane by 44 points before a hard-fought draw against Geelong in week two.

The Roos went so close last year, going down in an epic Grand Final against the Lions by 17 points, but Wall says the club isn't shying away from chasing the ultimate success this season.

"I don't think anyone would shy away from saying the premiership is the goal, but having the goal and getting to the goal are very different things. There's a lot of good teams in the competition, so we're just taking things week-by-week," she said.

"We celebrate all the wins, but we're wanting to keep backing it up each week and be consistent. We want to put together a really consistent home and away season and then go from there."

The Kangaroos continue their 2024 campaign when they head to Casey Fields to take on Melbourne this Sunday.
https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/fixture?Competition=3&Season=72&Round=1106

 

[norfnuffie]

Have we ever played Melbourne at home? It’s annoying…

 

[CURVE]

Have we ever played Melbourne at home? It’s annoying…

Nope. After this weekend it will be 7 seasons, 7 away games and 5 at Casey Fields.

Equalisation at work.

 

[CURVE]

Nice to see Sarah Black now calling for a larger playing lists.

Number up: Why we now need larger list sizes in the AFLW

Number up: Why we now need larger list sizes in the AFLW​

The fact that Collingwood was forced to name top-up players in week two of this season is proof we now need larger list sizes in the AFLW, writes Sarah Black
By Sarah Black

Collingwood players look dejected after a loss in week two, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

AFTER just one game of the 2024 NAB AFLW season, Collingwood was needing top-up players to form a squad of 24 to face Hawthorn.

The Pies lost by 47 points to the Hawks, with Muireann Atkinson (concussion), Lauren Butler (calf), Imogen Evans (hamstring), Kalinda Howarth (ACL), Mikayla Hyde (foot), Annie Lee (knee), Charlotte Taylor (foot) and the suspended Tarni White all sidelined.

With one of the deepest Telstra AFLW Drafts we've seen on the horizon, it's time to extend AFLW lists to 32 over the next two years.

The latest round of expansion teams are now in their third season in the competition, and player movement across the AFLW is stabilising after the introduction of three and four-year contracts.

Currently, each club has 30 active players on its list, and is able to replace those already sidelined for the year during the pre-season period.

Clubs also each have a pool of 10 train-on players drawn from the state leagues (which often includes former AFLW players), who attend one training session a week to help with match simulation drills.

If a team cannot form a playing squad of 24 (inclusive of three emergencies), then a train-on player can be elevated either as an emergency, or as a player in the 21 itself.

Taylor Ortlepp in action during a Carlton training session on August 27, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

While uncommon, it's not a rare scenario. We've seen it happen before. But we've never seen a team needing top-up players as early as week two.

In the midst of its injury crisis last year, the Western Bulldogs drew on four train-ons in rounds eight and nine, only ever naming two in its 21 at a time.

Richmond also leant on two train-on players across rounds five to eight, while Fremantle drafted now-Eagle Mikayla Western in for a match during a COVID outbreak in season six.

Sarah Perkins reignited her AFLW career as a train-on for Melbourne in 2020, ultimately playing three games.

Mikayla Western in action during round two, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

This season will see the advent of mid-week footy, with 11 rounds played in the space of 10 weeks.

It's yet to be confirmed what next season's structure and timing will be, under the direction of new AFL general manager of women's football Emma Moore, but we do know we will have at least 12 rounds of football.

But if mid-week footy is to stay, longer lists will be vital. As it stands now, a player could miss three games through the 12-day concussion protocol, putting further strain on playing stocks.

Increasing playing lists by two per club is an additional 36 players. This doesn't have to be facilitated purely by extra draft picks in a single year, but also through fewer delistings over two.

Reigning premier Brisbane lost nine players in the off-season (excluding retirements). Seven were trade requests for greater opportunity, and their two delistings – Caitlin Wendland and Brooke Sheridan – then found homes at other clubs.

(L-R): Molly Brooksby, Caitlin Wendland and Olivia Levicki are seen after a Port Adelaide win during week two, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

A gradual increase of one additional player per club over the next two years won't break the bank, particularly as we're set to enter the first draft since 2017 that doesn’t feature expansion concessions or state-based selections.

All drafts since 2017 have included either major or minor concessions for expansion clubs as they progressively entered the competition, with the COVID-affected 2020 the most "normal" draft after Richmond and West Coast had to on-trade their bonus first-rounders.

The confirmation of a fully national draft will also open up clubs' access to talent across the whole country.

Top talent has been funnelled to various expansion clubs over the years, who have had extra selections up their sleeves, diluting the pool in both talent and number of players for the remaining clubs.

Expansion pre-signing players pose for a photo at the 2023 AFLW Draft. Picture: AFL Photos

The addition of two extra list spots will also allow for greater development of "project" players. In the men's competition, it's common for rucks and key position players to be tucked away for a few years, working on their craft as they physically grow.

Due to the depth of talent in its squad, Melbourne is a rare AFLW team who has been able to give additional time to the likes of Georgia Campbell, Georgia Gall and injured draftee Jacinta Hose (as well as the returning Denby Taylor) without needing to play them straight away.

Allowing a greater number of footballers time to develop in a professional environment can only better the competition in the long run and will allow teams greater flexibility around selection.

We're not reinventing the wheel, but it's time for another small step forward in the evolution of the competition ahead of its 10th season in 2025.

 

[CURVE]

Congratulations to Sarah Wright on 50 games in Royal Blue & White, she has been a top-class defender since she was selected with the 32nd pick of 2019 draft.

And we all know one fan on this board with be a little more excited than most at Sarah's achievement.

 

[The Nostradamus]

More importantly our top pick in the 2020 draft Bella Eddey’s 50th game this weekend

 

[CURVE]

O'Loughlin, O'Shea and McGrath are in the squad for Sunday's match at Casey Fields.

 

[The Nostradamus]

Hoping smith and Burke out tomorrow

 

[ferball]

Dunno about "more importantly" but congrats to both of them.

 

[CURVE]

Hoping smith and Burke out tomorrow

I think it may be Martin and Burke. Generally, the last three listed on the bench get listed as emergencies.

 

[muttley45]

Don't think Smith will be dropped, despite stat's, she plays an important role

 

[CURVE]

Libby Burch could have been in Brown & Gold this season. A thought almost as disgusting as their jumper.

'Reinvigorated' Roo on shock move, pre-season setbacks, facing her Demons

'Reinvigorated' Roo on shock move, pre-season setbacks, facing her Demons​

Libby Birch says North's disciplined defence and the chance for more premiership success was appealing in her decision to join the Kangaroos
By Sarah Black

Libby Birch poses during North Melbourne's 2024 team photo day at Arden Street. Picture: AFL Photos

IT WAS the shock move of the 2023 AFLW trade period.

Unbeknownst to the football public, Melbourne premiership defender Libby Birch was at a juncture in her career, and had a number of keen suitors.

Hawthorn was among the interested sides, keen to add some experience to its young group.

Then only a few days after a Grand Final loss, with a side already packed with stars, North Melbourne pounced.

Senior coach Darren Crocker and list manager Flynn Loft had less than 24 hours to quickly move on from their disappointing defeat, and met with Birch, eager to add some height and her intercepting ability to their backline.


The Roos' notoriously disciplined system-based defence – and the chance for further premiership success – appealed to the tenacious competitor.

"I had been given an amazing opportunity at the Dees after coming across from the Western Bulldogs, to come to a side with my best mate Daisy Pearce and play with her again, and to play with some players I had played with at Darebin Falcons," Birch told AFL.com.au.

"I was really excited about the potential of a new journey, and from the bottom of my heart, I saw some incredible chances at North Melbourne to have a real impact and be part of a side that was again chasing premiership glory.

"But number one, it was how do I get better as a player? I've been in the system for eight years now, and I wanted to grow as a player, as a person and as a leader again, and this new challenge, being uncomfortable again, has almost reinvigorated my career.

"One of the things that really excited me was the fact I could train against Tahlia Randall, Kate Shierlaw and Emma King, who I've had some fierce battles with in the past.

I've loved the fact I could train against them the entire pre-season. There's no doubt the AFLW is absolutely flying. It's getting better and better, and you need to individually lift as a player."

Libby Birch celebrates victory with teammate Tahlia Randall after North Melbourne's win over Brisbane at Brighton Homes Arena in round one, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

Time and again in the interview, Birch refers to playing in the backline. It's a vital part of her identity as a footballer, and works perfectly with her character, fiercely determined and diligent.

"I first learned the game at 18 from (former Melbourne strategist) Jane Lange, she said to sit myself in the backline and follow someone around, as that would be the easiest way to learn the game," Birch said.

"From that moment, I've just tried to master my craft in the backline, in whatever team I'm playing in, and be a better player each time I step on the field. I love it because it's tough, you have to be gritty, and you have to work with your teammates.

"It's not a position that's spunky, or you get to celebrate often, and I love that behind-the-scenes humbleness that backliners are, and that sort of personifies me."

Libby Birch is presented with her jersey ahead of the match between Brisbane and North Melbourne at Brighton Homes Arena in round one, 2024. Picture: Photos

Birch, a qualified physiotherapist, ruptured her medial cruciate ligament in her left knee at training just under six weeks before round one.

Traditionally a 6-8 week injury, she recovered in time to play against Brisbane in the first match.

"It was originally almost diagnosed as an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), so for a few hours there before I got the scans, I felt like I'd let everyone down. I'd come to the club, and injured my ACL and I'd be out for 12 months," she said.

"But then I got the scan result back and it was like 'Shit yeah, how good is this, an MCL?'. The support staff and physios, we did an amazing job working as a team to halve that recovery time and get back to full training within four weeks.

"The first two weeks, I was in a brace, so there wasn't much I could do other than keep my muscle strength up in that leg. But almost the most valuable aspect of being injured was actually watching the game plan and my teammates from the sidelines, I got to stand out of it and watch what their strengths are.

"So it was a lot of time visualising and intently studying training. I know that sounds a little strange, but it was almost like I was physically training while I wasn't."


When the Roos meet the Demons on Sunday it won't be the first time Birch has come up against a former side, having come up against the Western Bulldogs while in Melbourne colours.

"Playing at Springfield in round one, the first thing I thought about while stepping on that field was the fact I won a premiership there with my Melbourne teammates," she said.

"It's a challenge from the emotional side of things, going back to a place where you trained, played and shared so many memories with former teammates, but it's about how you handle it and embrace it.

"I love playing at Casey, I love the fact I've played on a lot of players from that team and understand how the Dees work, so I'm trying to use all that positive energy to crack in with my team, who are in a really good position to take our system-based game plan to the Dees."