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Melbourne was dominant in the second AFL women’s match, outplaying the Western Bulldogs to win 10.12 (72) to 4.2 (26) in an another brilliant advertisement for the women’s game.
It was the Demons’ second win, following on from a 32-point victory last year.
The crowd of 5500 at Etihad Stadium was slightly down on last year – no doubt due to the 10.10am Sunday time slot – but those in attendance were treated to a highly physical, skilful match.
Sadly number one draft pick Tiah Haynes ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament the week after the draft and could not take part, but her Bulldogs teammates were up for the challenge early.
Kellie Gibson kicked the first goal of the game for the Demons but Moana Hope snared the next one for the bulldogs, kicking truly after marking on a lead.
The Demons got the next two, Sissy Dunn kicking an opportunistic goal after an Alicia Eva shot fell just short and Gibson getting her second moments later after Louise Wotton soccered the ball inside 50 from the ruck contest.
Hope was proving dangerous up forward for the Bulldogs and down the other end Chelsea Randall was working her way into the game.
And if there were any doubts among observers about the physicality of women’s football, they were put to rest late in the first term.
Randall and Bulldogs opponent Lauren Morecroft both flew for a mark, eyes on the ball, about 70 metres out from Melbourne’s goal, and crashed hard into one another.
Morecroft slammed into the turf but was up and running shortly after, while Randall claimed the mark and went inside 50.
Just before the siren sounded Randall was in the play again, back-heeling the ball through to give the Demons an 18-point lead at quarter time.
The second term saw Melbourne increase its lead, and Randall was in everything, kicking her second goal minutes in.
Elise O’Dea got a major back for the Bulldogs, pouncing on a loose ball, but the Demons’ firepower was too strong.
Tayla Harris starred in the second term for Melbourne, booting two goals and plucking several contested marks from her luckless opponents.
Hope was one of few shining lights for the Bulldogs, cooly side-stepping her direct opponent for a true snap to cut the margin to 29 points just before half-time.
The Bulldogs’ third quarter was arguably their best, restricting the Demons to three behinds as they put more pressure on the ball carrier and slowed the game, making it a heavily contested affair.
Hope was in the thick of it again, kicking her third goal with another snap from general play.
Bulldogs skipper Aasta O’Connor was at her best, dominating in the ruck and also regularly driving the Bulldogs out of defensive 50, while Lauren Spark took several marks on the last line.
But the final quarter belonged entirely to Melbourne. Kirby Bentley kicked the first of three for the Dees, outmarking Dana Hooker and kicking truly.
Harris provided the biggest highlight of the afternoon, taking a genuine specky over the pack, then kicking her third, sending the crowd into raptures.
With the clock winding down Randall took her 14th mark of the game in the forward pocket and made a rare mistake – looking to handball over the top she instead gave it straight to the woman on the mark.
But minutes later she was named best on ground, which was richly deserved. She had 23 possessions, 14 marks – including five contested – five inside-50s and kicked 2.5.
Ellie Blackburn was another standout for the Dees with 27 disposals and six inside 50s, while Kiara Bowers (23) and Daisy Pearce (23) also had plenty of the ball.
O’Connor was named best for the Bulldogs. She had 24 touches, 11 marks, 36 hitouts and six rebound 50s. Emma Kearney, Katie Brennan and Karen Paxman were also good, but the Dees led the possession count by 110 possessions overall.
Victorious coach Michelle Cowan praised her team’s performance, made all the more impressive given they only came together as a group two days earlier.
“The girls pulled together and executed the game plan really well,” Cowan said. “We had a key focus on making sure everyone got to know each other and run out there playing footy together as if they had been for years, and I was very happy with their effort to compete and win.
“The Bulldogs’ intensity was there and we knew it was going to be a tough hitout, but we knew we had the legs to run it out and play really solid footy, which we did.”
Cowan also coached the Demons last year and said they had taken a step forward this year. “The talent that we recruited into this game was just brilliant and we really stepped it up a notch and provided a spectacle for the supporters.”
She also had special praise for Randall and Harris. “They’re freak talents. Both of them have real footy smarts, can fly at the footy, hold a mark. They’ve got brilliant skills and they’re the benchmark for women’s footy in Australia.”
MELBOURNE 4.2 7.7 7.10 10.12 (72)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.2 3.2 4.2 4.2 (26)
GOALS: Melbourne: Harris 3, Randall 2, Bentley 2, Gibson 2, Dunn. Western Bulldogs: Hope 3, O’Dea
BEST: Melbourne: Randall, Blackburn, Forch, Pearce, Bowers, Harris. Western Bulldogs: O’Connor, Kearney, Brennan, Hope, Paxman, Spark
