Source :- THE AGE NEWS
The results are in from the AFL’s decision to showcase AFLW on Thursday night, clearing men’s footy from the prime-time spot.
The standalone W fixture between Melbourne and Hawthorn attracted an average national audience of 182,000 on Seven.
That compares with the 580,000 who watched the previous Thursday night’s men’s footy on the free-to-air network, when North Melbourne upset the Western Bulldogs. The previous week, 642,000 watched Collingwood play Geelong in a Thursday night blockbuster.
In Melbourne, Seven had an audience of 82,000 for the W match, compared with 189,000 for North v Dogs and 273,000 for Pies v Cats.
The numbers don’t include viewers on Foxtel and Kayo, which don’t provide ratings numbers publicly.
It was a bold move to maximise exposure for the W contest at Ikon Park while the men’s and women’s seasons overlap, and shows the league’s desire to elevate select AFLW games at better venues even if it means sacrificing audience in the short term.
The round 1 double header at Marvel Stadium was a success, with 20,000 in by the end of the women’s Carlton-St Kilda game last Sunday.
There is another men’s and women’s double header at Marvel on Saturday, where North Melbourne clash with Geelong.
One of the more striking sights from Thursday night’s AFLW clash was Hawks gun Jas Fleming crashing through packs wearing what looked like clear goggles.
This was not a fashion statement but a protective measure, after Fleming copped an accidental footy to the eye during pre-season which meant she barely played during the leadup to round 1.
It’s not the first time we’ve seen a player wear protective glasses, of course. It’s regulation attire for Fremantle big man and former Pie Mason Cox, who was told to wear them or risk blindness if he copped another eye injury.
Fleming, the daughter of former Australian cricketer Damien, wasn’t hindered by the goggles. She had 14 disposals but what stood out was her toughness in the contest and penetrative kicking. It wasn’t enough to stop the Hawks being overrun by Melbourne, who won by 19 points.
Melbourne midfielder Olivia Purcell delivered a serious reminder of both her talent and importance to the Demons’ line-up with a best-on-ground showing against the Hawks on Thursday night in her first AFLW game in almost 12 months.
Purcell went down with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in round two last season and worked tirelessly to get back in time for this year’s season opener for the Dees. She finished the clash with 32 disposals, nine tackles and 354 metres gained as Melbourne overcame a spirited Hawthorn by 19 points, 9.6 (60) to 6.5 (41).
New Demons coach Tom Wilson was quick to point out what the premiership-winning midfielder meant to his side in their 19-point win.
“It speaks to her ability and the work she has put in place,” Wilson said.
Olivia Purcell made up for lost time and Kate Hore showed she is still one of the AFLW’s elite players as they guided Melbourne to a first-up 19-point win over Hawthorn on Thursday night.
Purcell played her first game since injuring her knee early last season and the onballer shone throughout the night, posting 32 disposals and 354 metres gained while Hore dominated the first half and finished with 22 disposals and nine score involvements.
Former Blue Mia Austin also starred in her first proper outing with the Demons, kicking four goals and looking equally adept on the lead or creating goals from open play.
The Hawks recovered well from a horror start, going four goals down before taking the lead via Aine McDonagh (three goals) late in the third term. The Irish star formed an impressive partnership with former Gold Coast key forward Jacqui Dupuy, who finished with nine marks and a goal.
But with scores tied heading into the last quarter, it was all the Demons, who kicked three quick goals to secure the win.
Demons ruck Jacinta Hose went off with an ankle injury in her first game after multiple injury battles.
The Dees have gone three goals ahead as Shelley Heath found the ball in space and snapped a goal that should take her side to the win.
A huge start to the final term from the Dees has shown who the better side really is, but the Hawks still have a chance.
Dees 59, Hawks 41 with six mins to play.
Now Eliza McNamara has run around and snapped another goal, just moments after Mia Austin’s fourth goal.
The Dees now lead by two goals. It’s time to get going, Hawks.
Dees 53, Hawks 41 with 13 mins to go.
Make that four goals for Mia Austin who has been brilliant for the Dees tonight.
Her Demons teammates were quick to get to her after her goal, as well. They know they needed a big play to start this last term.
Dees 47, Hawks 41 with 15 mins to go.
It’s all locked up going into the last term.
This should be a stellar finish.
