Winning and learning

 

AFLW Fremantle vs Melbourne, Fremantle Oval, 18 February 2018.

Modern coaches like to win but they also like to come out of games with some teaching points. So Fremantle AFLW coach Michelle Cowan will really enjoy getting her players into the plush lecture theatre at Cockburn this week. Her team will be fresh from the best win their short history and the coach will be armed with plenty of damning footage to assist with a bit of learning.

Emily McGuire will get some deserved early attention after her stunning debut… it will start with a bit of ribbing – maybe she’s got a new nickname, please don’t let it be “Eddie” unless it’s in honour of Mr Betts. Then the group will be shown McGuire’s lead and mark in the first quarter – they’ll call it a “hit-up” – modern sportspeople like putting ‘up’ on the end of things. Then they’ll see the second quarter McGuire highlights – the contest, recovery, one-handed pick-up, turn, snap, goal and not long after a tackle that kept the ball inside 50. The match-winning goal in the last quarter will get a few looks as well.

However there will be a sting in the coach’s tail. McGuire will be shown the mark she didn’t go for at a vital stage early in the last quarter, the one dropped close to goal and the times she didn’t bend over when she had the chance to pick up the ball. McGuire’s performance had signs of both supreme confidence and a lack of self belief. There will be trouble for opponents when she fully believes.

The team will come in for a bit of scrutiny too. The forward 50 entries, especially in the second quarter, were inept and Melbourne defenders took too many uncontested marks. Some reasons for this may be discussed:

• The team didn’t get any forward 50 entry practise in the first quarter.
• The fact that the forward line is totally empty for large parts of the game so it’s hard for forwards to find themselves in a position to lead (up).
• The fact that a number of players are not very good at kicking.

There might be a laugh at the expense of Lara Filocamo about her decisive clearance in the third quarter marred only by the fact she kicked the wrong way.

Then it will be down to accentuating the positives like:

• Evie Gooch’s goal saving chase and tackle.
• Leah Mascall’s match saving defending in the closing stages.
• The class of the stars Kara Donnellan, Ebony Antonio and Dana Hooker.
• The work in the ruck by Alicia Janz.
• The general approach of the team – unrelenting pressure helped Fremantle defeat a more talented opponent.

 

The Demons would have expected to win this one and they might have if they’d taken their chances in the first quarter. Tegan Cunningham was a big threat in the forward line and kicked two goals; Daisy Pearce was put under a lot of pressure but still did plenty; Richelle Cranston’s forceful approach was vital in the third quarter recovery and Karen Paxman showed class.

Fremantle 6.0 (36) Melbourne 4.7 (31)

Notes

1. I think the crowd grew considerably after half time so it was bigger than the official 3,125.
2. Could we have less music? Please let the crowd provide the atmosphere.
3. Freo footy crowds have never needed a ground announcer to rev us up. Don’t insult us please.