AFLW Qualifying Final v. North Melbourne @ IKON Park, Sunday 3.05PM

[Headless]

It's that time of year again - back in finals again for another season.

Really disappointing loss last week - Brisbane honestly just dismantled us - but we should go into this one as favourites. North finished top four and obviously are a quality outfit (finishing above Brisbane, for instance), but lost two of the last three on the way home. We beat them comfortably in Round 8 - a game where Purcell and Hanks notched up touch after touch, and Gillard was super solid in defence.

Unfortunately Sherriff is done for the season, and several players are under seemingly relatively minor injury clouds. From the club:

A win would set us up really nicely for another grand final position. A loss would mean we'd have to do it the hard way, probably via Adelaide in Adelaide in a prelim. So what happens?

Changes at time of writing below. Final team should be announced at 5PM today, I believe.

IN: A. Mackin, Paxman, Gay, Campbell, Wilson, Johnson
OUT: Sherriff (inj.), Watt (concussion), Gall

 

[Headless]

 

[Teen Wolf]

A loss would mean we'd have to do it the hard way, probably via Adelaide in Adelaide in a prelim.

The quirk of it all is that the winner of this match likely loses any chance of determining the grand final venue.

Whereas the loser is thrust into a "control your destiny" situation, assigned with beating Adelaide in a PF which would guarantee a Vic GF.

 

[Bluelegs]

If Lions beat Adelaide and we win wouldn't that make us the top seed?

 

[Teen Wolf]

If Lions beat Adelaide and we win wouldn't that make us the top seed?

Nah if Adelaide makes the GF, it'll be in Adelaide, no matter what finals path they take.

 

[Bluelegs]

Nah if Adelaide makes the GF, it'll be in Adelaide, no matter what finals path they take.

Yeah but Melbourne would most likely have to beat Adelaide in a home prelim anyway in such a scenario.

 

[Teen Wolf]

Yeah but Melbourne would most likely have to beat Adelaide in a home prelim anyway in such a scenario.

In terms of the seeding for the prelim, indeed it would be Melbourne (assuming they win on Sunday) having a home PF against Adelaide if the Crows lose this weekend (and then win their SF).

Certainly that would be the best way of controlling one's fate. But it's not the most likely scenario to arise, because Adelaide really should be beating Brisbane on Saturday.

 

[Headless]

West omitted?

 

[stEdy]

Should be a cracking game. I'll be #ATG

 

[Dory_77]

West omitted?

Yeah that surprised me too. She seems the type you'd want in a tough final - loves the grunt work inside. Maybe wanting more pace or a taller utility like Ivey to play different roles?

 

[Crusty Demon]

So..Lions winning means if we win the QF and PF, we host the GF?? I'm confused.

 

[Teen Wolf]

So..Lions winning means if we win the QF and PF, we host the GF?? I'm confused.

Yep, the winner of Melb v NM will now be in the box seat after today's upset.

 

[Headless]

Wouldn't say this is ideal so far.

 

[PerfectFooty]

Ball movement and contested ball looks horrid so far

 

[PerfectFooty]

If we came here lazily thinking it'd be like last time, we're gonna have to wake up

 

[Headless]

Barely touched it so far.

 

[Dory_77]

Lucky North sprayed it. Better finish to the quarter, lifted our intensity. Need to nail our opportunities

 

[PerfectFooty]

Paxman should have been gone tbh, that's poor umpiring against north there. We seemed a lot better in the last 5 minutes but still very rushed

 

[jhong]

Some worrying signs , still only 9 pts down .

 

[Crusty Demon]

Terrible.

 

[jhong]

No composure, need some players to lift .

 

[Dory_77]

No composure at the moment, rushing ourselves and missing targets

 

[Headless]

Getting carved up.

 

[Crusty Demon]

Far cry from the team we were first half of the season. Look 2nd rate. Wtf has happened?

 

[jhong]

We are kicking to players that are out numbered far too often .