Rainbow guernseys, Matildas beanies and flags peppered the crowd and the smell of sausages filled the air at Ikon Park as 8412 fans streamed through the gates on Friday night – more than double the figure for the previous AFLW season opener. There was a definite buzz in the air – (women’s) footy was back, and it carried extra zing following the Women’s World Cup.
The last two season openers between Collingwood and Carlton saw 3511 people turn out in season six and 4128 for season seven. Both seasons were held last year.
The fans were treated to a game brimming with entertainment as Melbourne further staked their claim as flag favourites, beating Collingwood by 42 points in a tough and physical contest.
Alyssa Bannan celebrates a goal as the Demons sent a warning to the competition.Credit: AFL Photos / Getty Images
The Demons opened their account first, through Alyssa Bannan, but then Collingwood got the next four, including one from returning star Brianna Davey, who had a massive night with 35 touches and 11 clearances, in her return game after 601 days on the sidelines with an ACL injury. Britt Bonnici also came back from the same injury after 552 days off the park.
Then, however, it was all Melbourne.
Young Demon Georgia Campbell kicked her side into gear and out of their first-round jitters on the eve of half-time (they booted 2.7 in the opening half). After the main break, the Demons kicked eight unanswered goals, five of those in the third quarter. Bannan finished with three goals, Eden Zanker and Shelley Heath two each.
Despite the Magpies getting two stars back, they badly missed two of their main defenders, Ruby Schleicher and Lauren Butler, both battling foot injuries, against a well-organised Melbourne side.
While the crowd was mostly red and blue with patches of black and white, there was some green and gold spotted among the pack. Many fans were hoping the season would ride the momentum women’s sport is experiencing, including the recent netball World Cup win.
Harry Anderson, a 29-year-old Saints supporter, said he’s happy to tag along to any footy game he can get to and that he’s feeling the hype around women’s sports “big time”.
“Especially, obviously piggy backing off the back of the Matildas as well. I went full nuff on that as well as everyone else,” said Anderson.
“Generally across the board, there seems to be more camaraderie [in women’s sport]. There’s less sort of at-your-throat yuck male energy and hopefully that never finds its way into it because it’s such a great environment.”
Brisbane fan Cassidy Houston, 26, who relocated to Melbourne a year ago from Queensland, said the ground was “pumping”.
“It’s great to see everyone supporting women’s sports,” said Houston, who added after running into a fair few of her mates, “It’s like a queer social gathering, which we love to see.”
Houston said she’s become more of a sports fan in the past year and will go to men’s games when there’s cheap tickets going but prefers women’s’ sports and women’s AFL as “there’s something special about it.
“It’s like a community,” she said.
The Demons bring out the 2022 premiership flag.Credit: AFL Photos / Getty Images
Like Anderson, Houston too said she felt a buzz just around women’s sport at the moment.
“Especially after the Matildas, I’ve actually seen people in Matilda gear here tonight. So I’m hoping that same kind of vibe and supporting a women’s sport heads over to AFLW.”
Long-supporting AFL fans also would have noticed the highest-profiled umpire officiating the game, Ray “Razor” Chamberlain.
Melbourne defeated Collingwood 10.13 (73) to 4.7 (31).
