VFLW Game Day VFLW 2021 Season - Preliminary Final loss to Geelong

[Lore]

2021 VFLW FIXTURE:

ROUND	OPPONENT	TIME/DATE	VENUE	RESULT
1	Southern Saints (H)	10:30am, Sunday, February 28	NEC Hangar	LOSS: Match Report
2	Casey Demons (A)	1pm, Sunday, March 7	Casey Fields	WIN: Match Report
3	Hawthorn (H)	11am, Saturday, March 13	NEC Hangar	WIN: Match Report
4	Darebin (H)	10:30am, Sunday, March 21	NEC Hangar	WIN: Match Report
5	Port Melbourne (H)	10:30am, Sunday, March 28	NEC Hangar	LOSS: Match Report
6	Hawthorn (A)	10:30am, Saturday, April 10	Box Hill City Oval	WIN: Match Report
7	Williamstown (H)	11am, Saturday, April 17	NEC Hangar	WIN: Match Report
8	Collingwood (A)	11am, Sunday, April 25	NEC Hangar	LOSS: Match Report
9	Carlton (H)	10am, Saturday, May 1	Windy Hill	WIN: Match Report
10	Geelong (A)	1pm, Saturday, May 8	Deakin (Geelong)	LOSS: Match Report
11	Western Bulldogs (H)	11am, Saturday, May 15	Windy Hill	LOSS: Match Report
12	North Melbourne (H)	10am, Saturday, May 22	Windy Hill	postponed/abandoned
13	Darebin (A)	12pm, Saturday, May 29	Bill Lawry Oval	postponed/abandoned
14	Williamstown (A)	1pm, Saturday, June 19	Downer Oval	WIN: Match Report
15	Darebin (A)	12pm, Saturday, June 26	Bill Lawry Oval	WIN: Match Report
EF	Casey Demons (A)	12pm, Saturday, July 3	Casey Fields	WIN: Match Report
SF	Collingwood (A)	12pm, Saturday, July 10	Victoria Park	LOSS: Match Report
PF	Geelong (H)	12pm, Saturday, July 31	Windy Hill	LOSS: Match Report

 

[Bombermania]

Good bounce back after a few losses but it looked like the girls needed that break.

 

[Lore]

Write up for the Round 14 win

VFLW Bombers return with comfortable win
Essendon defeats Williamstown to strengthen its hold on a maiden VFLW finals berth.
By Celie Hay - 2 days ago

Essendon VFLW has returned from the COVID-19 lockdown with a 21-point win over Williamstown at Downer Oval on Saturday to further cement its spot in the top six and a consequent finals berth.

The Bombers controlled the game from the opening bounce and kept the home side goalless in the second half to record a 4.11 (35) to 2.2 (14) victory in their penultimate game of the season, staying in fifth position and a game clear in the top six with a healthy percentage.

The energy was high early as both teams embraced the chance to be back playing, but the Bombers’ midfield, led by Courtney Ugle and Alana Barba, quickly took control.

Bombers forward Mia-Rae Clifford was the first to hit the board, but the Seagulls answered straight away, keeping the pressure on Essendon.

Cecilia McIntosh was lively across the backline, cutting off the Seagulls’ forward entries and rebounding the ball back into the Bombers’ attacking 50, but neither side managed to break away on the scoreboard.

The Bombers’ intensity continued into the second term with Zali Friswell rewarded for a strong tackle with a set shot directly in front of goals.

Friswell converted to extend the Bombers’ lead, but like the first quarter, the Seagulls responded quickly and continued to fight despite the Bombers controlling the play.

Essendon’s inaccuracy in front of goal allowed the home side to stay within five points heading into the main break.

VFLW Bombers head coach Brendan Major addresses his players during a break. (Photo: Celie Hay)

Ruby Svarc used her speed to evade multiple Williamstown defenders and converted on the run to extend the Bombers’ lead early in the third quarter.

Eloise Ashley-Cooper stood strong in midfield and fought hard at contests to get the ball to Jessie Davies and Svarc on the wing, providing Essendon with multiple forward entries.

As the wind picked up, it became more challenging to hit the scoreboard, but Clifford managed to snap the ball through for her second major to seal a 21-point win.

Alana Barba, Courtney Ugle and Eloise Ashley-Cooper celebrate at the final siren. (Photo: Celie Hay)

Rebounding from the break

After a four-week break due to the COVID-19 lockdown, head coach Brendan Major said his side struggled early to adjust to being back on the field, but was happy with his side’s overall performance.

“It’s good to be back. I think that we played some really good football and got it out to space and played the way we wanted to," Major said.

“But we were a bit rusty early and I think the skill errors were probably the thing that let us down the most.”

Major said the Bombers’ struggles on the scoreboard were influenced by the lack of football the side had played over the past month.

“We got some really good looks inside the forward 50 but didn’t convert the way we wanted to,” he said.

“4.11 is probably reflective of the big break we just had.”

Midfielders lead the way

A best-on-ground performance from Alana Barba, who rotated between the midfield and forward lines, helped the Bombers control Williamstown’s physical presence.

Major was impressed by how his midfielders fought hard at contests, and despite being undersized, continued to tackle hard and apply pressure to their opponents.

“We were outsized pretty much all the way across the ground, not in height but physical size, but our players just cracked in,” he said.

“Players like ‘Millzy’ (Emilia Yassir), ‘Barbs’ (Alana Barba) and ‘Coops’ (Eloise Ashley-Cooper) and ‘Ugez’ (Courtney Ugle) especially, they cracked in and did what they needed to get it done.”

The home stretch

With one game remaining in the VFLW season, the Bombers will look to stay in the top six and qualify for a maiden finals series when they take on Darebin next weekend.

But the Bombers aren’t looking too far ahead, with their focus remaining on their final home and away match.

Coming off the break, Major said the Bombers would go back to basics to ensure their on-field skills are clean and sharp.

“It’s just the basic skill fundamentals,” Major said.

“We are shaping up the way we want to, we’re giving ourselves a good look (at goals) but we’re just not executing so that’s what we’re working on.”

The VFLW Bombers will take on Darebin at Bill Lawry Oval in their final home and away match at 12pm on Saturday.

WILLIAMSTOWN 1.1 2.1 2.1 2.2 (14)
ESSENDON 1.3 2.6 3.9 4.11 (35)

Goals: Clifford 2, Friswell, Svarc
Best: Barba, Ugle, Davies, McIntosh, Ashley-Cooper, Svarc

VFLW Bombers return with comfortable win

Essendon defeats Williamstown to strengthen its hold on a maiden VFLW finals berth.

www.essendonfc.com.au

 

[Lore]

There's one game left to play, but it looks to me like we've secured a finals berth too, as we're fifth place and unless we get absolutely thrashed by the wooden spooners enough to drop 60 points off our percentage *and* both the saints and the dogs win their games by enough to go past our percentage, we can't really miss out.

On the other hand we don't look likely to be going past Casey based on that ladder haha. So we'll be in an elimination final in about 10 days from now, probably against Casey based on the current ladder.

The finals are top 6, here's a bit of a description:

The VFLW finals series will commence from July 3 with two elimination finals (third against sixth, fourth against fifth) and a qualifying final between the two top sides. The grand final will be played on Sunday, July 25.

A maiden finals series would be a significant signpost in the journey of the VFLW Bombers, who have steadily climbed the ladder since their inception in 2018.

Meanwhile, Essendon's round 11 VFL fixture has been confirmed, with the Bombers locked in to face Casey at Casey Fields from 12pm on Sunday. The match will be shown live on Channel 7 and 7plus.

The AFL is yet to receive confirmation from the Victorian State Government about whether or not fans will be allowed to attend AFL, VFL and VFLW games this weekend.

VFLW Bombers one step away from finals debut

Essendon will look to secure a maiden VFLW finals berth in its final game of the home and away season on Saturday.

www.essendonfc.com.au

The ladder: Check out our percentage

AFL Season Ladder - AFL.com.au

AFL Ladder information including games played, won, drawn, lost, points and percentages from the official website of the Australian Football League.

www.afl.com.au

 

[Lore]

No idea if it will be streamed but if it is it should be good watching.

When we played them in round four it was a 67 point win, 70-3

VFLW - ROUND 14
Darebin Falcons v Essendon
Bill Lawry Oval
12pm, Saturday, June 26

 

[Lore]

Bit of hype on the club website ahead of this game and the finals next week, with two articles profiling some of the VFL women in the last 24 hours;

Mia-Rae Clifford is 35, a former AFLW player and passing on her wisdom. Her thread: #4: Mia-Rae Clifford

Alana Barba is 19, and has a dream to be an AFLW bomber Her thread: #11: Alana Barba

 

[Lore]

 

[Lore]

 

[acm21]

What needs to happen to make finals/where on the ladder we finish

 

[Lore]

 

[Lore]

What needs to happen to make finals/where on the ladder we finish

See posts above ^^ but we’re basically already in. We’d have to completely screw this game up and others would have to give out an unbelievable flogging to make the difference in percentage. Which they won’t haha

 

[Lore]

We've officially made finals!!!

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Nice!!!

 

[Lore]

 

[Lore]

Club website write up for the last game of the season

"The VFLW Bombers will face Casey Demons next weekend in an elimination final, with the fixture yet to be released."

I think Casey must host since they're ranked higher than we are.

VFLW Bombers secure maiden finals berth
Essendon VFLW records a big win over Darebin to book in a maiden finals series.
By Celie Hay - 23 hrs ago

The VFLW Bombers celebrate their big win over Darebin at Bill Lawry Oval on Saturday. (Photo: AFL Photos)

The VFLW Bombers have secured fifth place and a maiden finals berth with a commanding 51-point win over Darebin Falcons at Bill Lawry Oval on Saturday.

A three-goal haul from Jessie Davies in slippery conditions helped seal the 7.10 (52) to 0.2 (2) win for the Bombers, setting up an elimination final against the fourth-placed Casey Demons next week.

A switch from defence to forward for Tamsin Crook proved successful, with the 18-year-old hitting the board in the opening minutes.

The Bombers’ young midfield was dominant early, with Alana Barba, Emilia Yassir and Georgie Prespakis fighting hard to clear the ball into space and set up their forwards.

Captain Georgia Nanscawen hit the board for her first goal as a Bomber before Jessie Davies further extended the lead with an on-the-run snap.

The Falcons’ intensity lifted after the first break, but the Bombers responded with a goal from Mia-Rae Clifford.

Calder Cannons debutant Tahlia Gillard adjusted quickly to the stronger bodies and performed well through the ruck while also flying high to crash packs across the forward line.

Davies put her body on the line to score her second goal and give the Bombers a 31-point lead at half-time.

After the main break, both teams came out firing but the Bombers’ authority over the game continued with Davies hitting the board for her third major.

Courtney Ugle was impressive through the midfield while Simone Nalder worked hard through the ruck to overcome Darebin’s height.

Despite a goalless final term from both sides, there was elation on the siren, with Essendon securing the 51-point win and a spot in the VFLW top six for the first time in its history.

All smiles at the final siren. (Photo: Celie Hay)

Finals bound

After three seasons in the VFLW, Essendon has broken through for a maiden finals appearance after achieviseventh win for the season against the Falcons.

Nanscawen said she was extremely excited for what was to come, admitting the players didn’t let themselves think too far ahead until finals were made official with today’s win.

“It’s incredibly exciting. Obviously there’s been a bit of a build-up and we’ve been pretty keen to keep focused, as cliché as it sounds. We have been focusing on one week at a time and not getting too far ahead of ourselves,” Nanscawen said.

“But to be able to say now that we are playing in our first final series, it’s super exciting and I think from this point we can just enjoy it and make the most of the opportunity.”

The victorious VFLW Bombers leave the field after securing a maiden finals berth. (Photo: AFL Photos)

As the team’s focus turns to its elimination final against fourth-placed Casey Demons, Nanscawen said the recent lockdown had given her team a chance to refresh and review its focus heading into finals.

“I think it’s just not trying to change anything or do anything different just because it’s finals. We still have to prepare well and we still have to recover well, but we will review today’s game and look at who we are playing next week,” she said.

“The last couple of weeks, coming back from lockdown, the vibe at training has been really good and people are appreciating football and the opportunity to play so we will give it a red-hot crack.”

Youth steps up

The Bombers blooded another debutant from the Calder Cannons in Gillard, who came into the side alongside fellow Cannons player Prespakis.

The pair were just several NAB League players who stepped up to VFLW level across the season, with Nanscawen impressed with how composed they were at the next level.

“They’ve slotted into our team brilliantly. We had ‘Tahls’ (Tahlia Gillard) today, a nice bit of height for our team. We also had Prespakis come back as well. ‘Millzy’ (Emilia Yassir) has slotted in really well,” she said.

“It’s exciting to have them and they are bringing that energy and enthusiasm to the group, which is great.”

A proud captain Georgia Nanscawen at the final siren. (Photo: Celie Hay)

Clean in the wet

Essendon adjusted well to the slippery and muddy conditions to clear the ball out of stoppages and move it quickly towards goal.

Nanscawen was impressed with her side's ability to overcome the difficult conditions while still sticking to its style of play.

“I think we knew that it was going to be a pretty contested game and we wanted to make sure we played more to our free-flowing style, which I think we did given the conditions,” she said.

“It was quite tough out there. We actually handled it pretty well and played on our terms which is exactly what we wanted to do.”

The VFLW Bombers will face Casey Demons next weekend in an elimination final, with the fixture yet to be released.

DAREBIN 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.2 (2)
ESSENDON 3.3 5.3 7.9 7.10 (52)

Goals: Davies 3, Crook, Nanscawen, Clifford, Nalder
Best: Barba, Yassir, Gillard, Prespakis, Nalder, Ugle

VFLW Bombers secure maiden finals berth

Essendon VFLW records a big win over Darebin to book in a maiden finals series.

www.essendonfc.com.au

 

[Lore]

Details locked in!

VFLW ELIMINATION FINAL
Casey Demons v Essendon
12pm AEST, Saturday, July 3
Casey Fields

Details confirmed for VFLW elimination final

The VFLW Bombers will head to Casey Fields on Saturday for their first-ever finals game.

www.essendonfc.com.au

 

[Lore]

 

[Lore]

 

[Lore]

CrowdedHouse do you know if we have any broadcast information for tomorrow?

According to the Essendon website, "all matches in weeks one to three of the finals series will be broadcast live through the VFL channels, with the VFLW Grand Final to be broadcast live on Kayo Freebies on July 25", but I can't see anything on VFL/W's YouTube channel or on WARF radio's website...

I did find a match centre for the game on the AFL website: https://www.afl.com.au/matches/3710#team-stats

Which has teams:

 

[Megabattimus]

 

[CrowdedHouse]

As above, Brendan Rhodes will be the YouTube stream caller of that game, with a separate radio call on 97.7 Casey Radio.

We (WARF Radio) are doing the Pies v Cats with live crosses to Casey Fields.

 

[Lore]

Good little crowd here

 

[Lore]

QT

CASEY 1.0 6
ESSENDON 0.3 3

 

[Lore]

Very dominant quarter so far - we’ve kicked three goals with no reply.

This end of the ground seems easier to capitalise on midfield dominance

 

[Lore]

HT

CASEY 1.0 6
ESSENDON 4.5 29

 

['51 Bewick]

Very dominant quarter so far - we’ve kicked three goals with no reply.

This end of the ground seems easier to capitalise on midfield dominance

Wind blowing that way also