DETAILS: Melbourne v West Coast
DATE: Saturday 29 October
TIME: 1:10pm (AEDT)
LOCATION: Casey Fields
BROADCAST: Fox Footy, Kayo Sports and womens.afl
GAME DAY GUIDE: Available here
TICKETS: Available here
LAST TIME WE MET: Round 5, S4 | Melbourne v West Coast Eagles | Casey Fields
It’s been a long time between dances for these two teams. They last faced each other in Round 5 of the 2020 season, with the Demons hosting the Eagles at Casey Fields for a match that ended in an emphatic 59-point win for the home side.
In usual Casey Fields fashion, the wind was a contributing factor on game day. However, the Demons used this to their advantage, capitalising on their familiarity with these conditions, booting 10 goals to West Coast’s one.
Melbourne stars Eden Zanker and Kate Hore were instrumental up forward, with Karen Paxman as consistent as ever through the midfield collecting 21 disposals and six tackles. Sarah Lampard celebrated an exciting milestone, kicking her first AFLW goal. Two years on, Lampard will again celebrate a milestone against West Coast this weekend, with the game marking her 50th AFLW match.
The full four-quarter effort from the Demons saw them finish the Round 5 match victors, recording a 10.6 (66) to 1.1 (7) win at Casey Fields.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Melbourne
Tahlia Gillard
This young Demon has really come into her own in season seven, developing as a pillar in Melbourne’s backline. Standing at 190cm tall, Gillard uses her height, strength and skills to shut down the opposition's key forwards.
Gillard is coming off a career-best performance in Round 9 in which she received recognition with the NAB AFLW Rising Star nomination. She registered nine disposals, 251 metres gained, three rebound 50s and two tackles.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Essendon
Emma Swanson
West Coast’s inaugural captain Emma Swanson has been a consistent contributor within the Eagles' line-up since joining the club in 2019. Swanson has plenty of accolades to her name, most recently receiving West Coast's Club Champion Award last season.
In season seven, Swanson has continued her impressive ways through the midfield averaging 22.8 disposals, 12.1 contested possessions and 5.6 tackles. The Eagle is heading into this weekend's game following a best-on-ground performance in which she collected 28 disposals and three tackles.
