Good effort to get back into it, final siren is a bit controversial, the last quarter is about 3 minutes shorter than the other quarters.
I fear a clear problem with AFLW is the coaches, they are making the game a piss-weak version of the men's game. The tagging tactics tonight degraded what could have been a much better spectacle. I stated in the first season the girls game needed to evolve in the different direction, that hasn't happened, and the girls do not have the power or speed to break tags, tonight Prespakis had two opponents hanging off her before she even got near the footy and not a free kick in sight. Ditto for Harris.
It's mental midgets bringing the copycat men's tactics to AFLW that will destroy the multi-million dollar investment, the competition will be broke within decade because people won't pay to watch a lesser version of the men's game which is where the coaches have it heading. If I was the government I wouldn't spend a cent more until I see a change in attitude and direction, the problem isn't the players or skills, it's an administrative and officiation issue.
The girls game needs to be far more open, it needs some progressive coaches, administration and umpiring if it is to survive and profit.
FWIW, I thought the umpires came good in the second half after a pretty ordinary start, early on there were some Barry Crockers, outright guessing. But by the second half they had settled down, I was pleased to hear the senior umpire interjecting more frequently in the second half. I suspect that is the structure we need in AFL with a senior central umpire having the ability to over-rule and interject.
I fear a clear problem with AFLW is the coaches, they are making the game a piss-weak version of the men's game. The tagging tactics tonight degraded what could have been a much better spectacle. I stated in the first season the girls game needed to evolve in the different direction, that hasn't happened, and the girls do not have the power or speed to break tags, tonight Prespakis had two opponents hanging off her before she even got near the footy and not a free kick in sight. Ditto for Harris.
It's mental midgets bringing the copycat men's tactics to AFLW that will destroy the multi-million dollar investment, the competition will be broke within decade because people won't pay to watch a lesser version of the men's game which is where the coaches have it heading. If I was the government I wouldn't spend a cent more until I see a change in attitude and direction, the problem isn't the players or skills, it's an administrative and officiation issue.
The girls game needs to be far more open, it needs some progressive coaches, administration and umpiring if it is to survive and profit.
FWIW, I thought the umpires came good in the second half after a pretty ordinary start, early on there were some Barry Crockers, outright guessing. But by the second half they had settled down, I was pleased to hear the senior umpire interjecting more frequently in the second half. I suspect that is the structure we need in AFL with a senior central umpire having the ability to over-rule and interject.
"Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck ....... Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck"