With the first two rounds of the AFLW season done and dusted, results are already an indication of what can be expected from the rest of the season.
There are plenty of talking points coming out of each round, and it’s worth exploring some of the key learnings we can take from Round 2 in 2019.
The conferences are all wrong
Having highlighted Fremantle and Adelaide as two dark horses of the competition prior to the commencement of the season, it always appeared to be an issue that the conferences were skewed.
Carlton and Collingwood were the universally-accepted strugglers, and both featuring in the same conference has resulted in a potentially anticlimactic finals series.
Melbourne is currently sitting at the bottom of Conference A with one win and 119.4 per cent – the team would be winning Conference B by a country mile given only Brisbane and Geelong have won games, and both have percentages in the 70s.
Perhaps the emergence of Fremantle is a surprise, however, from the outset, there were at least four flag contenders in Conference A, compared to two in Conference B.
With Geelong suffering from a host of injuries to key players, the quality of that group only appears to worsen.
Brisbane and GWS are clearly the most competitive teams on the right side of the draw, however, on exposed form, neither gets close to any Conference A team. It will be interesting to see how the season plays out, as the final standings have the potential to be disastrously ugly should the trend continue.
The Dockers are legit
Last week we highlighted that Fremantle was changing the game with its basketball-like approach to its footy. This week, we confirm that the dark horse of the competition is a legitimate threat in Conference A, and it comes on the back of an entertaining brand of footy.
The Dockers are working like a well-oiled machine, with consistently impressive performers across the whole ground. Only Dana Hooker’s numbers are standing out in the midfield, as the franchise player of the team, while each other member is playing their role to perfection.
Ebony Antonio of the Dockers celebrates after the teams win during the round three AFLW match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Melbourne Demons at Fremantle Oval on February 18, 2018 in Fremantle, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)
Sabreena Duffy is an early bolter for the Rising Star award having kicked two goals from 11 disposals on the weekend, while the Ebony Antonio-Gemma Houghton combination is working extremely well. Both are versatile and end up providing their defenders an outlet kick down the ground to a contested situation by working up to the wing.
All this has come with plenty of improvement to come out of the likes of Kara Donnellan, Hayley Miller and Alex Williams this season, while the ruck situation with Parris Laurie still isn’t clear. Liking the team from out west this year.
Morrison’s injury destroys Geelong’s season
Nina Morrison was the number one pick last season and after her debut, she already appeared to be a top ten player in the competition. When news came through that she suffered an ACL injury, AFLW fans were heartbroken.
We all wish Morrison a speedy recovery and seeing another talented young player suffer such a serious injury is upsetting, and the effect it has on Geelong is already evident.
Already missing Richelle Cranston (back this week) and Melissa Hickey, the Cats have already been hurt by unavailabilities in 2019 and Morrison’s absence will hurt the most.
As a clean ball user who has an excellent inside game as well, as shown by her eight tackles in Round 1, Morrison’s injury leaves a massive hole in depth of Geelong’s midfield. The performance against the Bulldogs was valiant on occasions but ultimately showed that they were out of their depth when push came to shove. Having liked Geelong as a finals contender preseason, the expansion club will likely struggle for the rest of the season.
Low-scoring games are a myth
Those critical of AFLW often cite two things – poor skills and low scores. It’s easy for people to pile on if they don’t actually watch the sport, and the first fortnight of the season has proven that the league has improved in both those areas.
Even in horrendous conditions, North Melbourne put together an impressive, attacking display, with both them and GWS producing 13 scoring shots each on the night.
Fremantle is averaging 63 points a game, while Carlton and Adelaide produced an entertaining contest when moving the ball forward.
Everything is trending upwards in AFLW and we have only just commenced the third season. In limited game-time, the numbers are impressive overall for many teams and those who are struggling with attacking efficiency will find themselves struggling to win many games.
It’s exciting to continue to watch a league develop quickly in its infancy and we will continue to see outstanding results and entertaining matches over the next six weeks.
Collingwood won’t win a game
Following on from the previous point, the attacking inefficiencies and poor tactical approach from Collingwood gives an indication that the Magpies won’t win a game. Chloe Molloy’s absence is enormous, particularly given she was likely to play forward this season.
Ash Brazill’s emergence has been impressive out of defence, and her numbers will continue to be outstanding as the Magpies, quite simply, aren’t good enough to prevent the ball from going in their defensive 50.
Sophie Alexander’s absence this week meant Collingwood didn’t have much to target in attack, highlighting her importance after just one game. Sarah D’Arcy isn’t playing close enough to goal and there is a general lethargy about the style of play.
Round 3 sees the Magpies take on Fremantle away from home, and if the first fortnight is anything to go by, it could be a shellacking. Showing competitive signs is all fans will be hoping for.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Outer Sanctum one of the best podcasts doing the rounds.
Downsey
Roar Pro
Check out The Outer Sanctum podcast; all female voices talking everything AFL and AFLW. Mostly I find engaging in AFLW debate on any social media platform, this one included, to be too confrontational, and at times too intimidating. But, let me tell you, I bloomin’ love my club and I’ll support whatever gender wears our colours, and enjoy myself while doing it.
Downsey
Roar Pro
They've had an opportunity, but it's a grain of sand compared to the Kilimanjaro of opportunities available to males, hence the difference in skill level.
Downsey
Roar Pro
Their skills are very good in comparison to other female players in state and local competitions.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Shane. – I am neither offended nor do I disagree with AFLW, I have repeatedly stated. I support the concept and acknowledged that we had to start with a low standard in order to eventually get to a quality competition. My only issue is with constantly being told what is clearly a low standard is actually top shelf football and that when 50% of scores are averaging 1 goal a quarter or less low scoring is a myth. To me you really do need perspective keepers of truth. And I don’t think it is possible to sugarcoat yourself as a pariah. I do find it interesting that you chose to attack me rather than address the points raised in the post you responded to.
Shane
Guest
There have been a few articles written by women on The Roar. But if you are asking commenters, then you have already answered your own question.
Shane
Guest
What I find interesting is that you and IAP are offended so much by alternative opinions that you flood these AFLW comments with the same negativity. Do we really need perspective keepers of truth on AFLW? It is patently obvious to anyone who has just switched off to things they disagree with - the normal response - that you both have an irrational disagreement with women's football, no matter how you try to sugarcoat yourself as a pariah.
IAP
Guest
The Guardian? Hahahaha. Quality propaganda that one.
anon
Roar Pro
The criticisms of AFLW are no more an attack on women than criticisms of the BBL being attacks on men. We can all talk about the popularity of AFLW increasing, but until they charge an entrance fee we don't know how popular it truly is (especially among women). At the moment its still subsidised by AFL.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Is it just AFLW that these "knuckle draggers" berate on social media? Seems to me these are the same people who call out male players as "weak" or "soft" week in week out. Terrible behaviour on social media transcends gender. What I find interesting that any criticism of the standard of AFLW is immediately conflated with "tr0!!ing". Seems the definition of a straw man to me.
Macca
Roar Rookie
” but one that had a mix of positive and criticism” That to me is part of the problem, anytime anyone gets slightly negative they feel the need throw in a “had my faith in the game and its future restored in full.” And low scoring doesn’t always equate to ugly footy but when the score is 2 goals to 1 (or in the Collingwood Melbourne game 3 goals to 1) with the skills at the current standard it is pretty clear that they are ugly games.
Onside
Guest
Where are the views of women on women's sports. What do women think about AFLW. Do they enjoy the games, think they are fun, watch on TV, go to the games, care one way or another about the standard , what do they think. ? I am not talking about an occasional female pov, realising The Roar seems 99.9% supported by blokes. AFLW is fun, amateur , which is part of its local attraction, costs nothing to attend,and those who do seem to love it. So us blokes can WAFL about AFLW, but hey, what to the women think.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Hey in my stand alone posts I am pretty positive/constructive re most teams and footy. I'm always happy to place the content of comments on here up to scrutiny though. - My points aren't targetted at you per se, rather the tide of negativity that often hides behind the "why can't we criticise" trope. I did mean to add a line or two that clarified that in that last post. - That article wasn't pointed out to show one that was totally critical, but one that had a mix of positive and criticism, to respond to your accusation of them all being happy-clappy in tone. Gordon P. Smith also produces articles with mixed povs on a regular basis too. - Also low scoring doesn't always equate to ugly footy, although I understand for some it can trigger a lot of gratification frustration.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Dem – You were the one who said one of the things that came out of the weekend was Collingwood won’t win a game, I would expect that if you are going to make that comment you would actually “unpack Collingwood’s inefficiencies in attack and the issues with the tactics” as well as perhaps identifying some the under performers. The issue as I see it is that as soon as anyone makes a negative comment regarding the standard they are dismissed as a “hater” or “s*x!st” whereas they could actually “keenly following it for not only the entertainment, but the societal importance and just want to see the product at its best” and just willing to say that this isn’t the product at its best.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Umm, yes Macca, I’ve experimented with a number of different strategies…it still does it even after that post-posting period. I was assuming it might be the browser I use. The dash is no hassle, it certainly caught the attention of IAP (easily distracted?).
Dem Panopoulos
Expert
Macca, I’m happy to be purely analytical and unpack Collingwood’s inefficiencies in attack and the issues with the tactics in future articles, but the purpose of this piece is to highlight what came out of the weekend’s games. In terms of positivity and negativity around the reporting of AFLW, there is a difference between analysing and producing a piece on why teams are playing poorly, or certain trends league-wide that are concerning, versus what a fair portion of “haters” on social media discuss. Everyone knows that the league will continue to improve, it’s still in its infancy. This notion of positivity and negativity stems from an individual’s agenda – are they happy that AFLW exists and are keenly following it for not only the entertainment, but the societal importance and just want to see the product at its best, or are they plain and simply against women’s footy and the mainstream coverage it gets creates an unhealthy necessity to complain on social media. Personally, I know what camp I’m firmly in and will continue to watch, analyse and write about what I see, which is the same in every sport and every situation, whether it be viewed as positive or negative. I very much appreciate you reading the piece and providing discussion because everyone here is excited for what the future holds and the inevitable, continued improvement, even though more clubs coming in may create a situation where the near future sees a larger gap between the best players and the rest.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
The Geelong woman missing the ball has been on high rotation all week on the home of AFLW, The Roar! Everyone loves a laugh at someone else's expense. Reminds me a bit of Mick McGuane being unable to kick a couple of decades ago. Came out, went the big roost and the ball just dribbled off his foot. Odd? A little while later the same thing happened to the great amusement of 10s of thousands. Turns out Mick had been given a painkilling injection before the match. He could run but the lack of feeling in his foot had put his coordination out of whack. Admittedly they generally make contact with the ball but there are a plethora of AFL clips out there where blokes run into open goals and miss. Blighty running into an open goal and kicking it through goal and behind post, thinking it he was putting it through the big sticks is the GOAT clanger.
Macca
Roar Rookie
“Holding the line as many do “It’s rubbish and always will be rubbish because women aren’t physiologically suited to it” just leads in circles.” so is the line, “isn’t it fantastic” and “Bulldogs edge crows in nail biter” (in a 2 goal to one win). For someone who is supposedly so against strawmen you erect them pretty quick. I am not discussing “social media” or taking the ““It’s rubbish and always will be rubbish” line nor am I comparing AFLW to AFL (simply the reporting of it), I just want a legitimate discussion on the actual game instead of happy clapping. “The human brain being what it is, it’s much easier to tear things down and pick out the negatives than it is to build them up and find the positives. So I don’t think keeping it positive or encouraging is condescending at all.” I look forward to you taking this approach into the AFL season proper. As for your negative article on AFL did you read it? This is the first 2 paragraphs; “fter going to the Collingwood versus Melbourne game on Saturday, I was thinking of dedicating this report to the question of why so many women’s football games are so ugly. And then I went to the Carlton versus Adelaide match, and had my faith in the game and its future restored in full.” One game in which the crows kicked 2 goals in the first half and the blues kicked 1 goal in the second wiped any thoughts of “ugly” football from the authors mind – if that is the best you can do for a negative article I rest my case.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
The human brain being what it is, it’s much easier to tear things down and pick out the negatives than it is to build them up and find the positives. So I don’t think keeping it positive or encouraging is condescending at all. – There was an article just yesterday here that talked about ugly footy in AFLW. – Within clubs there will be plenty of analysis and work on improvement. It’ll be going on whatever the tone in social media land. The social media stuff is mainly for entertainment sake (also connection and support) and scorched earth will often feel more compelling than incremental change (more for some than others, granted), so that’s the way social media tends to go. – Absolutely there’s room for improvement and it’s heading that way (e.g. Freo’s scoring per minute of play compares very favourably, the increase in effective long kicking), but comparing the AFLW in these early stages to such an established league like the AFL doesn’t work on many levels. Holding the line as many do “It’s rubbish and always will be rubbish because women aren’t physiologically suited to it” just leads in circles.
Paul D
Roar Guru
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/feb/11/players-focus-on-job-in-hand-as-fans-continue-to-engage-with-aflw This article makes a good point about how the AFL needs to take more responsibility for the standard of debate. I know facebook social media etc is just pointless patter by and large but when every single AFLW post on the AFL Facebook page has the top comments (in terms of reactions) that is invariably anti-women, it does rather neatly illustrate that they're asleep at the wheel and enabling a nasty narrative to gain credence through being tolerated. Banning and blocking people making these sort of comments from their page would be a good start. "Debates about the merits or otherwise of the video aside, it does speak to a broader problem – one the AFL seems reluctant to deal with. A cursory glance at the comments and replies under social media posts and articles about the AFLW, and in fact of many women’s sports, reveals a barrage of often hateful, hurtful and sexist comments." "As the conversation around mental health and player welfare gets ever louder, rightly so, the laissez faire approach taken to the moderation of their social media by the AFL is increasingly untenable. This issue is not going away. And the AFL must take an active role in dealing with it to ensure the safety of the players." You only need to look at the persistence of certain people to front up here year after year, every February since this competition started to tip the bucket on it to realise the truth in this statement. This sort of narrative is potentially dangerous, much like at Trump's Nuremberg Rally where he's there saying the media is the enemy of the people and then seems surprised when some drunken knuckle dragger decides to assault a blind cameraman working for the BBC. Allowing it to flow unchecked can result in much public embarrassment - we had this discussion a few years ago with the sort of comments they were letting slide about Adam Goodes, and what that wound up leading to. Trusting the mob to police themselves never works out, and there's far too many men out there seemingly eager to point the finger at AFLW for all sorts of impotent frustrations they experience with a changing world that is leaving them behind.