AFLW remains exciting and tough but scoring and highlights an issue in season opener

IT was a checklist night. Everything about AFLW 2.0 is going to be compared to last year’s extraordinary debut season. Scott Gullen looks at the big ticks and crosses from Princes Park.

Stephanie Chiocci runs away from her Carlton rivals.

IT was a checklist night.

The believers had one and the sceptics certainly would have come to Princes Park armed with one.

Everything about AFLW 2.0 is going to be compared to last year’s extraordinary debut season which exceeded everyone’s expectations.

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It started with a lock-out in the opening game and became this runaway train that kept going from strength to strength.

As with everything in this world, there were some who sat on the fence and were keen to poke holes in the competition rather than embrace.

Both sides of the equation had questions which is why season two was always going to start with a long checklist.

Kate Shierlaw celebrates a goal with teammates.

LOCK OUT - CROSS

But gee, we’re being technical here. While AFL boss Gillon McLachlan wasn’t required to do his famous walk outside to shut the gates, the attendance wasn’t far off with an impressive 19,852.

EXCITEMENT LEVELS - TICK

No problem with the atmosphere. The crowd were well and truly invested, plenty of cheering, booing and abusing dodgy umpiring decisions. And the final five minutes was gripping as Collingwood surged with every play becoming an edge-of-the-seat moment.

NIGGLE - TICK

These girls have certainly embraced the Collingwood-Carlton rivalry. It was obvious early that they don’t like each other. The first free-kick of the game was for an off-the-ball infringement and from then on there were players dropping all over the place.

PHYSICALITY - TICK

There is no fear in the women’s competition. The tackling is brutal and there is sometimes a serious lack of self awareness in the way many attack the ball and opponent.

Tayla Harris in her Carlton debut.

Collingwood’s top draft pick Chloe Molloy.

SKILLS - TICK

There is an asterisk here. The kicking, both accuracy and length, seems to have gone up a level but there are still a lot of basic errors. The Magpies in particular dropped dozens of simple chest marks.

SCORING - CROSS

This was the big sticking point to come out of season one. Most games averaged around 10 goals and it was certainly the one aspect that most teams had focused on over the summer.

In the corresponding fixture last year Collingwood only kicked one goal and the good news was they’d doubled that by mid-way through the second quarter. But they then failed to kick another goal for the rest of the match. As exciting as it might have been in the last quarter, three goals to two is not enough.

NEW MO HOPE - CROSS

She was the face of season one and struggled badly. The Pies star clearly had a big summer and looked in ripping shape but she failed to have a major impact. There was some time in the midfield but for the majority Hope was forward where to be fair to her she wasn’t helped by her teammates’ delivery and the fact Carlton always had two or three in her vicinity.

Moana Hope in action for Collingwood.

RECRUITS - TICK

Both teams unveiled a couple of rippers. We’re putting Tayla Harris in this category as it was her first game in the navy blue after starting her career in Brisbane. She is a gun with her marking and skill a level above most.

The Magpies also have a star in the making in No.3 draft pick Chloe Molloy. The teenager, who made her name as a forward in the lower levels, lined up in defence and was a ball magnet collecting the most possessions on the ground. Her football brain was evident as she continually interrupted Carlton’s forward thrusts.

HIGHLIGHTS - CROSS

Last year we had Darcy Vescio announcing herself with four goals. There were no such acts of individual brilliance this time around from anyone and the Blues star only had six touches

CONGESTION - TICK

The rolling mauls that were an issue in season one didn’t seem to be as evident. There was plenty of space and flow from both sides with improved fitness and skill clearly a factor.

MATCH REVIEW PANEL - TICK

New boss Michael Christian will be in action over the weekend with Collingwood forward Sarah D’Arcy booked for kicking. By the look of the replay, she may be in trouble.

LAST-TOUCH OUT-OF-BOUNDS - TICK

This was a clear winner. There was nothing controversial about it with the players and crowd all seemingly embracing the new rule. We’re not suggesting it needs to be in the AFL but at least should be trialled in practice games down the track.

SUCCESS - TICK

No-one would have left Princes Park saying they won’t be coming back. Of course, there are still some teething problems but one lasting image said it all.

At 9.45pm when the teams had disappeared and the lights were still on, the oval was full. Everywhere you looked there were young girls having kick-to-kick.

And that’s why AFLW 2.0 is already an absolute winner.