After starting the season five wins from five, our loss last weekend to the mid-table Western Bulldogs was seen as something of a shock.
The Bulldogs led by 15 points at one stage, but we fought back to lose by the bare minimum. It was one of those frustrating games where we tried to cover each other, but we ended up covering very little in the end.
I finished the game as half-back as we chased down the lead, but began as a winger and it's my preferred position.
Essentially it is the midfield role in Gaelic football. You have the freedom to attack, yet there is still the responsibility to defend and keep width for the team. It's like the best of both worlds and a lot of play goes through the wingers.
I have slotted into attacking and defensive roles this term, but predominantly I have played as a winger. In my Gaelic football, camogie and soccer days, I always operated in a forward position, so being in attack has always felt more at home for me, but I’m enjoying the responsibility of this role.
I’m getting used to the structures and plays that it entails
It also plays to my strengths. I’m not that strong aerially, so I’m never going to be a key forward and claim big marks.
I’m a better ground ball player, have that bit of versatility and being able to kick off both feet aids in what I can contribute from around the middle.
I'm still learning the ropes, but my experience in defence and attack really helps, and it's somewhat of a relief to play more carefree on the pitch. When you play Gaelic football for years, your brain can almost switch off in a way as it all comes naturally, so it’s nice to have that now to some degree in Aussie Rules.
Next up for us this weekend is a date with the GWS Giants, where Cora Staunton and Brid Stack add to the Irish interest.
GWS are also coming off the back of a defeat - key forwards Staunton and Rebecca Privitelli were starved of possession against Melbourne and the team registered just three shots on goal – so they will feel they have a point to prove also.
It should make for contrasting styles away at Henson Park.
We like to work it short out of defence through short kicks, moving the ball across the field to open up defences. The Giants are known to be a very strong contesting team and difficult to play against.
Dealing with Cora’s threat will go a long way to deciding the outcome. She makes headlines even in terms of our own reviews and that’s a great credit to her and how good she has been for Giants.
She is so good on the ground, strong in the contest and has an eye for goal. I’m looking forward to seeing how we go against her, while Brid has been going really well which is great to see, in coming back from the injury she suffered against us in a trial game.
If I’m playing the wing position, both attacking and defending, I could come up against both of them up close.
Restrictions are starting to ease a little in Adelaide and it’s probably about time. It should make travel a little easier.
We are flying in and out of cities on the same day with chartered flights. Covid transmission means 10 days out, and that could potentially be two games given the current scheduling.
It's been a bit of a wake-up call for us
For the next week, there is an AFLW game on every day in order for the league to catch up with Covid postponements. Some teams have four and five-day turnarounds and while it’s tough on the players, it’s great to see the games coming thick and fast.
For us it’s all about righting the wrongs from the Bulldogs defeat.
We feel we are better than what we showed. The Bulldogs played a great game and fully deserved the win, but it’s been a bit of a wake-up call for us.
We would obviously prefer to be six from six going into the weekend, but mid-season isn’t the worst time to taste defeat.
We had a good debrief after the game and we are ready to move on. Bring on the Giants!
