AFLW Round 5 – Melbourne v Brisbane: Intensity the key to success

Melbourne v Brisbane

7.05pm, Friday 2 March

Casey Fields

 

After a 30-odd point defeat at the hands of Collingwood in the last round, it is a much more intense Demon outfit that takes to Casey Fields against the Brisbane Lions. The Lions are coming off a win against Fremantle, which means that this Round 5 clash is effectively a semi-final of sorts. Both teams need the points to ensure that they would remain at the top of the ladder, with the all-important percentage a factor, too.

 

Within the opening minutes, it is clear that this game would be won by the team that could keep up the tackling pressure. The powerhouse midfield for the Demons is on show from the start, with Daisy Pearce, O’Dea and Scott providing the forward momentum. While, for the Lions, Frederick-Traub provides a good target for the likes of Ashmore. The first goal of the game comes from the boot of Daisy Pearce, who scores too easily after being left alone at the base of a pack.

 

A few Melbourne misses mean that Brisbane get on the attack, but are never really threatening inside their forward-50 thanks to the physicality of the Demons right across the ground. This tackling results in the second Melbourne goal, again off the boot of the skipper, which means that, at quarter time, the Dees are leading by 15 points with the Lions yet to get on the board.

 

It is a much more even second quarter. Continuing on from her two-goal opening quarter, Pearce gets the first clearance that makes its way quickly to the debutant Zanker, who is denied a good goal by a last line effort from the Lions. The ball makes its way very quickly down to the Lions’ attacking 50, where Ashmore hits the post from a shot at the top of the goal square.

 

Frederick-Traub’s first goal sparks the Lions and their work rate lifts, meaning that the Dees are denied the easy inside-50s, whilst also having to defend on more occasions than in the first. At the end of the first half, the Dees lead by 11 points.

 

The third quarter is a tighter tussle than that of the second, with one goal to each side. The Dees have more scoring opportunities for mostly behinds. Most of the play happens within the centre of the ground, neither team having clear scoring opportunities. The desire to win by both teams is exemplified by a collision between Cunningham and Hildebrand, that sees Cunningham with blood streaming from her nose and a very dazed Hildebrand being helped to the bench.

 

In the end, it is the Dees winning by six points, but not before the Lions give them an almighty scare. Gibson’s goal in the early minutes is nullified by Kate Hore’s goal soon after, but the Lions seem to be able to make more effective use of the ball. Frederick-Traub kicks her third with about four minutes to go after taking the ball out of a ruck contest with incredible game sense.

 

A very scrappy last few minutes plays out in the Lions’ forward line, with the Dees managing to hold on and keep their finals dream alive.

 

Melbourne 2.3 2.6 3.10 4.10 (34)

Brisbane 0.0 1.1 2.2 4.4 (28)

 

GOALS

Melbourne: D Pearce 2; Hore, Cunningham

Brisbane: Frederick-Traub 3; Gibson

 

BEST

Melbourne: D Pearce, Paxman, O’Dea, Hore

Brisbane: Lutkins, Frederick-Traub, Anderson, Ashmore

 

OUR VOTES: D Pearce (Melb) 3, Lutkins (Bris) 2, Paxman (Melb) 1

 

About Cat Jones

When I'm not busy teaching secondary students, I'm thinking about sport. Hopeful of a Demons premiership.

Comments

  1. Yvette Wroby says

    ThNks Cat. Nice report.

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