She’s part of Adelaide’s talented midfield brigade, but Ebony Marinoff reckons defence has been key to the side’s unblemished 2022 record.
The Crows claimed their fourth consecutive win after beating Melbourne at Norwood Oval on Saturday.
‘Team D’ as they are affectionately known includes the likes of Sarah Allan, Marijana Rajcic, Najwa Allen, Stevie-Lee Thompson, Nikki Gore and former forward Chelsea Biddell.
They not only held the Demons goalless for three quarters, but have conceded just 63 points across the past four matches.
But there’s one player in that defensive unit that the reigning Best and Fairest says has taken her game to a new level.
“It’s super exciting when you get to talk about Team D because they probably don’t get the credit they deserve,” Marinoff said.
“We talk about the likes of Chelsea Randall and Sarah Allan being our mainstays down back.
“But my favourite this season has been the rise of Chelsea Biddell.
“Chelsea has been amazing down back.
“She spent a bit of time on Tayla Harris on the weekend and she absolutely killed it.
“I’m so proud of her and the way she’s gone about it in the pre-season and now she’s a starting back.”
Speaking to the media on Monday, Marinoff said the Crows were pleased with their form so far this season but refused to become complacent, with tough games still to come.
“We don’t shy away from the fact we are here training three, four times a week to be the best team in the comp,” Marinoff said.
“But as we know things can change very quickly in the AFLW space.
"We are up and about but we certainly know it's a long season.”