Melbourne hung on late, to inflict Adelaide’s second defeat of the season and second in a row on Saturday night.
More importantly they’ve joined the Crows in equal second place on the ladder and either one can now play Brisbane in the decider.
The wet conditions didn’t eventuate, but the heat and humidity did and surprisingly Melbourne handled it better than Adelaide, despite half the Crows team coming from Darwin. Melbourne overran the Crows in the second half kicking 3.3 to the Crows 2.1.
Paxman and Pearce were outstanding for Melbourne, while Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall were good for Adelaide, but faded out of the contest.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Adelaide Crows 5.2 (32)
Melbourne Demons 5.4 (34)
AFLW makes its debut in the Top End this evening and unlike many games taken to far flung parts of the country, Territory footy fans will be treated to match of real consequence as Adelaide take on Melbourne with a Grand Final spot on the line.
Join The Roar for a live blog of the match, starting from 6:10pm AEDT.
After narrowly loosing their unbeaten record in an epic contest against Brisbane last week, the Crows head north knowing a return to the winners list will likely secure them a re-match against the Lions in the Grand Final.
They’ll do so for what, in effect, will be a home game. Adelaide feature no less than nine Darwin based players in their squad and are sure to have overwhelming crowd support. A bigger advantage though will be the local knowledge these players provide in a match played at the end of the wet season and likely to be effected by heavy rain.
This gap in experience and the fact Melbourne’s two losses this season, to Brisbane and GWS, have both come in the wet, means they face an uphill battle to keep their outside Grand Final chances alive.
Demon’s Vice Captain Melissa Hickey acknowledged the scale of the challenge when speaking to melbournefc.com.au during the week.
“We’ve had a few different challenges thrown at us, so with the humidity and sweat – it’s going to be tough.
“But [it will be] a great mental challenge. We’re going to have to draw upon our own mental strength” she said.
The Demons have made two changes for the match, with forward Shelley Scott returning from a shoulder injury, while injury replacement player Elise Strachan will make her debut. Sarah Jolly and Jessica Anderson both make way.
Adelaide have also made two changes, with Taylor Thorn and Rachael Killian coming in at the expense of Justine Mules who’s been omitted and Monique Hollicks who has a wedding.
Prediction
Adelaide by 12 points.
Join The Roar for a live blog of the match, starting from 6:10pm AEDT.
Perry Bridge
Guest
Loved this game - in uncomfortable conditions for the Dees in particular up in Darwin - they played it beautifully. Laura Duryea up back shut down the Crows although ironically it was Perkins roving a Duryea spoil who snapped truly to close the gap to 2 points with 58 seconds remaining. Daisy Pearce - astounding at both ends of the ground. A worthy almost semi final (yes, I know there are no semis - but with Brisbane assured of the GF - the question now is around their opponent and while this didn't decide it - - it did 'undecided it - for the time being).
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
FT Mel 5.4.34 d Adel 5.2.32 Melbourne hang on late, to inflict Adelaide's second defeat of the season and second in a row. More importantly they've joined the Crows in equal second place on the ladder and either one can now play Brisbane in the decider. The wet conditions didn't eventuate, but the heat and humidity did and surprisingly Melbourne handled it better than Adelaide, despite half the Crows team coming from Darwin. Melbourne overran the Crows in the second half kicking 3.3 to the Crows 2.1. Paxman and Pearce were outstanding for Melbourne, while Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randell were good for Adelaide, but faded out of the contest. Thanks for joining us.
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
No it's not! Melbourne have hung on, to keep their Grand Final hopes alive. Mel 5.4.34 Adel 5.2.32
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Holy Shit. Another for the Crows. 2 points the difference with a minute to go. Is it Barcelona PSG, Pats v Falcons all over again? Mel 5.4.34 Adel 5.2.32
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Aaaaannnd just my luck, they've scored a goal. Killian kicks the Crows first of the half. Mel 5.4.34 Adel 4.2.26
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Less than 3 mins to go and the Crows need 3 goals, when they've kicked just one point since half time. Yeah, unlikely. Mel 5.4.34 Adel 3.2.20
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Newman! The pacey postie from Melbourne sharks a loose ball in the forward pocket and kicks a goal. Dees hard to beat now. Mel 5.4.34 Adel 3.2.20
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Close! Sedunary with a rare shot at goal for the Crows, but she's just missed. First score for Adelaide since half time. Mel 4.4.28 Adel 3.2.20
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Dees keep the forward pressure on and win a free kick to Lauren Pearce. Shot doesn't make the distance and Crows clear. Mel 4.428 Adel 3.1.19
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Now a 50m penalty for Melbourne. Smith in scoring range, but goes laterally. Should she have gone for it?
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Ooooh! Poor kick in by the Crows goes straight to Berry for Melbourne, but her snap on goal misses. Mel 4.4.28 Adel 3.1.19
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Do or die, now or never, playing for sheep stations, name whatever sporting cliche' you like, it applies here. A Grand Final spot up for grabs, a quarter to go and as if on que the thunder and lightening has arrived in Darwin. This could be quite something. Mel 4.3.27 Adel 3.1.19
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
3QT A 6 point deficit at half time is an 8 point lead at the final change for Melbourne, who dominated that term, kicking 2.2 while holding the Crows scoreless. A desperate chase down by Newman on Adelaide's Thomspon as she was running into goal right on 3qt, typified their desperate approach in that quarter. They're know if they loose there's no tomorrow and they're playing like it. Will be hard to stop. Mel 4.3.27 Adel 3.1.19
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Goal! Of course as soon as I update the score the Demons put another one through to make it a 7 point margin. Demons looking the goods. Mel 4.2.26 Adel 3.1.19
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Still just a point the difference with 3QT looming. Melbourne look to be a player down though with Erin Humphries off with a rolled ankle. Mel 3.2.20 Adel 3.1.19
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Great tackle by Foley for the Crows as Melbourne's Jess Phillips was off to the races. The sort of little things that matter in a close contest.
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Demons have started the 3rd term much the better side, Adelaide look lethargic. Could it be that Melbourne are dealing with the heat better, despite Adelaide's Darwin contingent?
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
In fact the Dees scored an early behind before the goal, so are in front for the first time. Mel 3.2.20 Adel 3.1.19
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Goal! Just underway in the 2nd half and whaddaya know, Misfud snaps and early goal and the Dees are level! Adel 3.1.19 Mel 3.1.19
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Half Time. Melbourne end the quarter with a behind to make it a goal the difference at the main break, but you get the sense the they'll be disappointed not to be closer after dominating that term. Paxman and Pearce having a tonne of it for the Dees, while Phillips, Metcalf and Randall have been very good for the Crows. No rain as yet, but very hot and that could be a fact in the 2nd half. Adel 3.1.19 Mel 2.2.13