Melbourne must ‘bring it’ after losing its opening AFLW clash to Brisbane Lions

KAREN Paxman knows the Demons have to “bring it” from here on in after a surprise loss to Brisbane. There’s no time to do anything else.

Karen Paxman in action for Melbourne against Brisbane.

KAREN Paxman knows the Demons have to “bring it” from here on in.

There’s no time to do anything else.

Sunday’s 15-point loss to Brisbane left the priority pick hurting badly. She gathered 24 touches to be among the best players in the rain-drenched final match of the competition’s opening round but that counted for little without the four points.

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And in an eight-week season, Paxman said the team has to take the lessons and learn from them quickly.

“All you can do is learn the lessons and roll on,” the midfielder said.

“We can’t carry anything into next week. We just have to go in fresh and learn what you can from the week prior.”

Karen Paxman and Emily Bates battle for the ball on Sunday.

Collingwood awaits next weekend, in a match that could yet be moved to cater for demand.

More than 6500 turned out on Sunday afternoon and the more than 50,000 people who turned out in support of the competition’s inaugural round has only fuelled the 29-year-old further.

“Not just for us, we want to win for everyone,” Paxman said.

“It just gives us a bit more motivation that people are right behind us and we have to turn it on now. We have to bring it.”

Sunday’s gruelling conditions - humidity to begin with and then driving rain and even a lightning interruption – should have suited the Demons, Paxman said.

But despite maintaining their focus in the early half-time that was enforced by officials after an electrical storm grew close to the ground, the Demons failed to capitalise.

Daisy Pearce in action against Brisbane.

Paxman is used to the rain, but admitted she had never experienced being dragged off the ground due to lightning.

“It’s a bit of a hazard, so coming off is not ideal, but I felt like we stayed pretty focused in that little break. Even coming back out … I felt like we were focused,” she said.

“We had a bit of momentum (after Jasmine Grierson’s goal). Ideally it’s not great, but it’s just an experience, I guess.

“We knew it was going to be a hard battle. Brisbane were just willing to fight a little bit harder than us. I’m just really disappointed that the first one couldn’t be a win.”

Originally published as Melbourne must ‘bring it’ after losing its opening AFLW clash to Brisbane Lions