It was a clinical display by AFLW 2017 runners-up Brisbane, as they ran out 12-point victors over reigning premiers Adelaide on a hot summer’s night at the Parade.
With co-captain and reigning AFLW MVP Erin Phillips ruled out on match eve with a quad injury, it was always going to be an uphill battle for the depleted Crows.
The Lions, driven from last year’s Grand Final defeat, displayed the form which saw them claim top-spot after the home and away season last year.
It was a seesawing affair for much of the night, with momentum swinging in favour of the team kicking with the northerly wind.
Only one of the five goals kicked for the night came from the southern end of Norwood Oval.
After a strong start where the Crows dominated field position, the Lions bounced back to control the first quarter, putting on 1.3 to Adelaide’s no score.
With a sloppy first quarter behind them, Bec Goddard rallied her troops at quarter-time as a reinvigorated Crows team emerged in the second term.
Adelaide piled on 3.1 following their scoreless first quarter – their fast-paced ball movement simply too much for the Lions who failed to hit the scoreboard.
Crows co-captain Chelsea Randall in particular proved to be a handful for the Lions; her excellent pace and skills allowing her to finish up with 18 disposals and a goal.
Randall’s performance ultimately ended up being one of few shining lights for Adelaide.
With all the scoring in the first half being limited to one end, the game was evenly poised at half-time, with the Crows taking a 10-point advantage at the main break.
Kicking to the scoring end, the Lions started to flex their muscles, booting 3.4 with Adelaide being kept scoreless again for the term.
Sabrina Frederick-Traub would prove to be overwhelming for the Crows defence as the big centre-half forward took 10 marks and set up many scoring opportunities moving forward.
After a dominant second term, the Lions took a five-point lead into three-quarter time with the mood around the ground being it was anyone’s game.
Expected to fight back in the last quarter and with the wind to their advantage, the Crows ran out of gas as an excellent defensive effort by Brisbane kept them scoreless for a third quarter.
Brisbane’s Kaitlyn Ashmore took a clutch mark with five minutes and to go and duly converted to secure victory for the Lions.
With the extent of Phillips’ injury unknown, the Crows will be hoping she can get up for next Saturday’s clash with Melbourne at Casey Fields.
The Lions meanwhile, will hope to keep their momentum going against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday at South Pine Sports Complex.
ADELAIDE 0.0 3.1 3.1 3.1 (19)
BRISBANE 1.2 1.3 3.6 4.7 (31)
GOALS
Adelaide: Jones, Wallace, Randall Brisbane : Wuetschner 2, Conway, Ashmore BEST
Adelaide: Randall, Marinoff, Wallace
Brisbane: Stanton, Zielke, Wuetschner, Frederick-Traub
Opmerkingen