The Adelaide Crows have defeated the GWS Giants by 32 points at Unley Oval on Sunday afternoon.
In overcast and humid conditions, the Giants brought it in Adelaide, playing with confidence and a ‘we can do it’ attitude.
Adelaide were a little clumsy to begin with, but worked their way into the game and finished the first term with two straight goals to go ahead at the first break.
The second term was again a fairly even affair with two goals each way, including a couple of soccer-inspired shots from Danielle Ponter and Yvonne Bonner.
Only one behind – a brush of the post by Ebony Marinoff – was scored in the third term, as the teams battled between the arcs and were particularly solid in defence, not letting anything cross the line.
The game felt poised for either the GWS Giants to pull out a surprise victory or the Crows to charge home to a comprehensive victory, which would appear more dominant than reality. It was the latter.
Adelaide piled on four goals in the last and opened up a 32-point winning margin.
With that, GWS are out of finals contention, while Adelaide return to the top of Conference A, but still fighting for a place in the preliminary finals.
Stevie-Lee Thompson extended her lead on the AFLW goalkickers tally, booting three in another creative performance. Danielle Ponter also hit the scoreboard with two.
The usual suspects Erin Phillips (24 disposals, 1 goal) and Ebony Marinoff (24 disposals, 9 tackles) impacted around the ground for the Crows; Marinoff was quiet early with the Jessica Dal Pos tag, but worked her way into the match in the second half.
For the Giants Alicia Eva (21 disposals) and Alyce Parker (16 disposals, 4 tackles) worked hard in the middle, as did Ellie Brush (16 disposals) who went back to take some important marks in defence.
Irish women Cora Staunton and Yvonne Bonner hit the scoreboard for the Giants, along with Jodie Hicks and Christina Bernardi.
Jacinda Barclay ended the game in a sling with a possible fractured collarbone, while Nicola Barr went down with a hamstring injury.
Next up for Adelaide is another big game against Melbourne at Casey Fields, while GWS host Geelong in what will be the Giants final game for the season, in Canberra.
Final score
Adelaide 9.4.59
GWS 4.3.27
The in-form team of the competition the Adelaide Crows will host the GWS Giants at Unley Oval on Sunday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 2:05pm AEDT.
Last Sunday the Adelaide Crows became top of Conference A, ending the Kangaroos’ undefeated run in dominant fashion.
The 35-point victory was set up by Erin Phillips, who again dominated with 23 disposals and two goals, the Crows were helped by Danielle Ponter and Stevie-lee Thompson who also scored two goals each.
After their first-round loss Adelaide haven’t looked back, putting together a string of dominant performances and beating both the Kangaroos and Fremantle who are only separated by percentage.
It’s been a tough season for the GWS Giants, who only have the one win against Collingwood in Round 4 and went down to Melbourne by 39-points last Sunday.
Home at Blacktown the scores were level through the first term before Melbourne broke away.
In warm conditions, the Giants struggled against the classy Demons outfit and were kept in the contest with some poor goal-kicking, but four goals in the final term by Melbourne ended any hope the Giants had.
Irish forwards Cora Staunton and Yvonne Bonner were unable to hit the scoreboard against Melbourne, but will need to have bigger impact if GWS are to be any chance in their clash with the Crows this weekend.
Both sides have elected to blood fresh talent this weekend, Nikki Gore will debut for the Crows, while Lisa Whitely will debut for the Giants.
Ailish Considine has been omitted to make way for Gore.
The Giants debutant, Lisa Whitely, is a South Australian teacher who will get to play in her hometown for her first game.
Jodie Hicks and Erin McKinnon are back in the side; McKinnon is returning from two weeks on the sidelines with illness and then a thumb injury.
Haneen Zreika, Tait Mackrill and Taylah Davies have all been omitted.
The last time these sides played was in round four last season, the sides could not be separated at Blacktown finishing at 19-all.
Prediction
Adelaide are on a mission to top Conference A and with the quality in the conference they must continue their winning run.
GWS will be no match for the Crows this weekend; Unley Oval will be a happy sea of red, blue and yellow on Sunday afternoon.
Adelaide by 26 points.
Venue: Unley Oval, Adelaide
Time: 2:05pm AEDT
TV: Fox Sports
Betting: Adelaide $1.08, GWS $8.00
Adelaide Crows
B: Marijana Rajcic, Sarah Allan, Justine Mules
HB: Dayna Cox, Chelsea Randall, Angela Foley
C: Erin Phillips
HF: Stevie-Lee Thompson, Chloe Scheer, Eloise Jones
F: Deni Varnhagen, Danielle Ponter, Hannah Martin
Foll: Jessica Foley, Ebony Marinoff, Anne Hatchard
I/C: Jenna McCormick, Nikki Gore, Sally Riley, Sophie Li, Renee Forth
GWS Giants
B: Tanya Hetherington, Pepa Randall, Amanda Farrugia
HB: Elle Bennetts, Nicola Barr, Ellie Brush
C: Rebecca Beeson
HF: Yvonne Bonner, Christina Bernardi, Alicia Eva
F: Cora Staunton, Jacinda Barclay, Jessica Dal Pos
Foll: Ingrid Nielsen, Courtney Gum, Alyce Parker
I/C: Jodie Hicks, Lisa Whiteley, Brittany Perry, Erin McKinnon, Louise Stephenson
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
The Adelaide Crows have defeated the GWS Giants by 32 points at Unley Oval on Sunday afternoon. In overcast and humid conditions, the Giants brought it in Adelaide, playing with confidence and a ‘we can do it’ attitude. Adelaide were a little clumsy to begin with, but worked their way into the game and finished the first term with two straight goals to go ahead at the first break. The second term was again a fairly even affair with two goals each way, including a couple soccer-inspired shots from Danielle Ponter and Yvonne Bonner. Only one behind – a brush of the post by Ebony Marinoff – was scored in the third term, as the teams battled between the arcs and were particularly solid in defence, not letting anything cross the line. The game felt poised for either the GWS Giants to pull out a surprise victory or the Crows to charge home to a comprehensive victory, which would appear more dominant than reality. It was the latter. Adelaide piled on four goals in the last and opened up a 32-point winning margin. With that, GWS are out of finals contention, while Adelaide return to the top of Conference A, but still fighting for a place in the preliminary finals. Stevie-Lee Thompson extended her lead on the AFLW goal-kickers tally, booting three in another creative performance. Danielle Ponter also hit the scoreboard with two. The usual suspects Erin Phillips (24 disposals, 1 goal) and Ebony Marinoff (24 disposals, 9 tackles) impacted around the ground for the Crows; Marinoff was quiet early with the Jessica Dal Pos tag, but worked her way into the match in the second half. For the Giants Alicia Eva (21 disposals) and Alyce Parker (16 disposals, 4 tackles) worked hard in the middle, as did Ellie Brush (16 disposals) who went back to take some important marks in defence. Irish women Cora Staunton and Yvonne Bonner hit the scoreboard for the Giants, along with Jodie Hicks and Christina Bernardi. Jacinda Barclay ended the game in a sling with a possible fractured collarbone, while Nicola Barr went down with a hamstring injury. Next up for Adelaide is another big game against Melbourne at Casey Fields, while GWS host Geelong in what will be the Giants final game for the season, in Canberra. Final Score Adelaide 9.4. 59 GWS 4.3. 27
Gary
Roar Rookie
Sounds like GWS put in a good effort... but up against Adelaide you always felt it was a fait accompli. Conference A semi final weekend next weekend, except Adelaide is in regardless. The Freo v North game will be a cracker!
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Thanks for tuning in this afternoon, I'll put together a short match report and post it shortly.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Full time The Adelaide Crows have defeated the GWS Giants by 32 points at Unley Oval on an overcast Sunday afternoon. Adelaide remain the team to beat in the AFLW competition, they stepped it up in the final term to stretch out to a five goal win and head back up to the top of the Conference A ladder. Adelaide 9.4. 59 GWS 4.3. 27
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 1' This final term by the Crows, piling on four goals, is more like what I thought we'd see all day. Credit to the Giants, but the classy Adelaide squad have stepped it up in the last. Adelaide 9.4. 59 GWS 4.3. 27
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 2' All the Crows this term, Hetherington has done a good job with a couple of intercept marks deep in defence though for GWS. Adelaide 9.4. 59 GWS 4.3. 27
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 3' - Goal Crows Phillips picks up the footy on the run, dishes to Thompson, who drills a tight one home. That's nine goals for the Crows and three for Thompson! Adelaide 9.4. 59 GWS 4.3. 27
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 3' Giants down to three on the bench, one reason why they've faded in the last here. Adelaide 8.4. 53 GWS 4.3. 27
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 4' Marinoff called for incorrect disposal. giants work forward, but a dropped mark slows this process. Adelaide 8.4. 53 GWS 4.3. 27
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 4' Scheer holds onto the intercept mark on the 50 arc. Holding the ball inside 50 for the Crows. Adelaide 8.4. 53 GWS 4.3. 27
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 5' - Behind Crows Phillips goes back to line up for goal, but passes off unselfishly to Thompson. Thompson misses the shot to the left. Adelaide 8.4. 53 GWS 4.3. 27
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 6' Jones and Randall having a word at that contest, ball up the decision by the ump and Randall wasn't sure about it... Adelaide 8.4. 52 GWS 4.3. 27
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 7' The Giants clear, but Marinoff is just outside 50 to take the mark. Phillips can't mark her kick inside 50. Adelaide 8.4. 52 GWS 4.3. 27
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 8' - Behind Giants Staunton runs in, but misses to the near side. Giants needed that one. Adelaide 8.4. 52 GWS 4.3. 27
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 10' - Goal Crows The kick goes inside 50 in the direction of Hatchard, she can't mark but Ponter collects and snaps the goal. Crows by 26 now. Adelaide 8.4. 52 GWS 4.2. 26
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 10' 20 point lead now for the Crows and they have all the answers when GWS get forward as well. Adelaide 7.4. 46 GWS 4.2. 26
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 11' - Goal Crows Jones at the top of the goal square, uses her body beautifully, holds the defender - Randall - behind her and takes the chest mark. Jones kicks truly and the Crows are taking off. Adelaide 7.4. 46 GWS 4.2. 26
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 11' Incorrect disposal called, Thompson gets the free in the centre and sends it forward in the direction of Jones. Adelaide 6.4. 40 GWS 4.2. 26
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 12' GWS holding it in their forward half now. Pepa Randall sends it back inside 50. Adelaide 6.4. 40 GWS 4.2. 26
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 13' - Goal Crows Repeat stoppages inside 50 for Adelaide, Marinoff clears and finds Thompson in the goal square. Thompson kicks truly from close range and the Crows extend their lead to start the final term. Adelaide 6.4. 40 GWS 4.2. 26