MELBOURNE was really made to work for its AFLW Round 1 win over the weekend, but ultimately emerged with a two-point victory over Geelong to get its campaign off to a positive start.

It was hard going for the Dees early, with poor passing into attack early really costing the red and blue, but once Kate Hore took the game by the scruff off the neck, things started to turn around for the visitors.

However, there was a Dee arguably even more influential than the skipper on Saturday and whose performance really told the story of Melbourne’s evening – Blaithin Mackin.

Blaithin Mackin Stats vs Geelong

Disposals: 25
Marks: 1
Tackles: 2
Clearances: 3
Goals: 1
Behinds: 1
Metres gained: 510m

Mackin, normally renowned for her running and linking of the play capabilities out on the wing, struggled to output to her usual standard early in the match, particularly in the first quarter. She was doing a decent amount of running but her positioning meant that she was not able to be utilised.

This correlated to the way things were going for the Dees as a collective. The pressure that Geelong was putting on them meant that kicks were being rushed and Geelong was just able to intercept the ball far too easily.

But as Mackin got more involved in the game, things started to turn around for those in red and blue.

Working hard at both ends of the ground, she started to get more possessions, and with composure with ball in hand was able to help improve Melbourne’s delivery into forward 50. Her positioning around contests and even in shepherding and defensive play helped Melbourne lift their carry through the midfield. She even found herself on the scoresheet towards the end of the third quarter, using her speed and strong agility to work the ball past several players and through the big sticks.

Her 25 disposals was the highest among her teammates, and only three behind the match leader Amy McDonald. Also, her 510m gained was by far the highest on the ground, and 66m in front of the second highest figure for the game.

What makes Mackin’s performance on Saturday night even more impressive was the fact that she basically came into the match off the back of no preseason. Thanks to a particularly strong Gaelic Football season back home with Armagh, Mackin has only been back in the country a couple of weeks and missed both Melbourne’s match simulation and its practice match.