Expectations High As Collingwood Magpies Look To Soar In AFLW

Real Footy - Jon Pierik

Like anything associated with Collingwood, expectations are high. And that's no different for their fledgling women's team, even though an official match has yet to be played.
Coach Wayne Siekman made his intentions clear on Monday, as preparations intensify ahead of the AFLW's historic opening clash between the Pies and Carlton at Ikon Park on Friday night.

Collingwood players (from left) Alicia Eva, Helen Rodan and Nicola Stevens are reading for their historic moment. Photo: Chris Hopkins

AFL Women's - Round 1 Collingwood v Carlton Friday 3 February, 2017 Princes Park, 7.45pm, 7mate

"Our plan from day one is to make the grand final. You can't win a premiership unless you make the grand final, so we are planning to play in eight weeks' time. That's the goal of this club, of the players and coaching staff," he said.
"There is no point hiding from that. The other seven teams are probably saying the same thing but that's something we have got to do. All the boxes get ticked each week and players will go through that process. If we can ensure players play their role, and continue to develop and improve, we'll see what we can achieve."
Siekman has been impressed with how his squad has developed through the pre-season and practice matches, and says spectators can expect a strong standard of action.
The public relations hype will move into overdrive this week, with the women's league seen as a way of tapping into a new and exciting market, while also opening up new sponsorship avenues for the AFL and clubs.
However, what it will be judged on is the standard of play, for that must satisfy supporters if healthy attendance numbers and television audiences are to be consistently enjoyed. More than 15,000 spectators are expected to attend on Friday - the reason why the clash was moved from the Magpies' home venue.
"When that ball gets bounced, everyone wants to see the standard, everyone will want to make a statement - no doubt our players will want to do the same thing," Siekman said.
"Whether that means the opposition or we put a plus-one behind the footy just to steam the flow early and just get a bit of control of the footy, who knows what we will do ... but because it's 16 a side and, as the game unfolds, players start to get tired in that second half, the game will open up."
That was reinforced in a practice match between Melbourne and the Blues when the latter booted six goals to nil in the final term.
Siekman is confident his players will handle the pressure of such a historic clash, one that will also add a new chapter to the grand rivalry between the two clubs.
"I don't think I need to continually talk about it because they [the players] read the papers, they are enjoying the moment ... maybe if you continue to say it [is a historic opener], it might get on their edge a bit more and put more pressure on them. But as soon as that ball bounces at 7.45pm, they have got a job to do," he said.
Siekman will look to ruckman Emma King, defenders Nicola Stevens and Meg Hutchins, midfielder Alicia Eva and forward Helen Rodan, the latter the sister of former AFL player David, to help guide his side.
King, one of two sets of twins in her family, said she was ready to challenge opponents physically and through athleticism.
"I have been working on the physical side ... just to use my size to my advantage. I have got to take advantage of all I can - bumps, tackles, shepherding. I have long arms, I can shepherd more than one [player] at a time," she said.
King, who had been on the Western Bulldogs' list, said the Pies were ready to show their style.
"I could say attacking but we will be playing our style of footy - make the other team come to chase us," she said.