AFLW Round 1 – Collingwood v West Coast: Eagles flying higher than ever before
Collingwood v West Coast
1:10PM, Sunday February 9
Victoria Park
It’s early February and I’m putting on my WCE supporter shirt – this fact took a little time to reconcile, but the confusion is short-lived as I remind myself that it is all in a great cause, as there is a whole new dimension to being a WCE supporter with the arrival of our AFLW team into the competition for season 2020. I’m immensely proud to report that I am a foundation member of this team, with the official certificate to prove it.
On the train to Victoria Park today there were plenty of other blue and gold supporters; we were probably all a bit surprised to see so many others in the same colours but this augurs well for our introduction into the women’s elite competition.
Today was a warm but muggy and overcast summer’s day so my rather ancient WCE bucket hat adorned with all of the membership badges I’ve ever received (dating back to the mid-1990s) was an essential part of my outfit, both as sun protection, and to confirm my allegiance. Victoria Park was alive with fans of all ages and the atmosphere was refreshingly relaxed as families set up their picnic blankets on the grassy banks – the early arrivers got the shady spots – and the food trucks situated all around the perimeter of the playing arena were providing a wide range of delicious cuisine options. We fuelled up and then found seating in the historic Ryder Stand amongst a large group of other WCE supporters.
Our cheer squad raised the banner moments before the girls ran out onto the ground, but the strong breeze shredded it within seconds, much to the groans of all the WCE supporters. Rather than demoralise us, it spurred us to cheer even louder for the girls.
The girls started strongly, winning the first bouncedown, and we got our first goal within the first few minutes of the game, off the boot of vice-captain and former Docker Dana Hooker, and everyone in blue and gold was ecstatic. In the first quarter we managed to keep the Pies scoreless, and we were getting plenty of possession although were not able to keep the scoreboard moving much.
Over the course of the rest of the match, Collingwood took the lead, and ran out winners by 27 points, however we were by no means disgraced in our first ever game. Whilst I really wished we were singing our club song at the end of the game (I need some practice of the new sections that have recently been added) I am still so proud of the effort of our girls, and there is much to look forward to in this first season.
After the final siren, the girls were feted like rock-stars by the WCE fans, and spent quite a long time signing autographs and taking boundary-side selfies, and it is really great that there is such strong enthusiasm in the fans.
Next week is the local derby against the Freo Dockers, and I’ll be glued to the TV for that one.
Congrats to my WCE AFLW team – this foundation member is so proud and excited to start this AFLW journey with you.
COLLINGWOOD 0.0 2.2 3.4 5.8 (38)
WEST COAST 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.5 (11)
GOALS
Collingwood: Molloy, Lambert, Chiocci, Layton, Darcy
West Coast: Hooker
BEST
Collingwood: Chiocci, Lambert, Livingstone, Molloy, Layton, Butler
West Coast: Hooker, Swanson, Kelly, Cameron
Crowd: 6,100
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Hi Cath,
The four new teams all lost their games but showed plenty of promise.it may take time to overcome the lack of AFLW experience. Hope they aren’t disheartened and go for gold next week. As long as you’re in Conference A and not B there’s plenty to be done to get into top two. Thanks for the report.
G’day Cathi,
Yes the whole exercise was a little unfamiliar to me, too. Footy in summer, not the least of it.
New prospects abound.
I’m glad you were there for your team’s first AFLW game and that from now on, you know that you were there.
Well played.