Adelaide midfielder Anne Hatchard says a new style of play has helped propel the Crows to a 3-0 start to their AFLW campaign.
Placing a heavy emphasis on its offense and ball-movement over the off-season, Adelaide has reaped the benefits in the early parts of the season with a trio of eye-catching performances.
The most impressive of those came in last Saturday’s 47-point win over Essendon, where the Crows piled 81 points on a previously undefeated Bombers unit.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Hatchard gave an insight into the changes the Crows have made in how they move the ball.
“Over the off-season our major focus was changing the way we move the ball and having a bit of a new-look, utilising more handball chains and playing faster, more exciting footy,” Hatchard said.
“Now, three weeks into the season, I can already see the positive effects of those changes, the brand of footy we are putting out there is exciting and it’s satisfying that our hard work is paying off.
“Essendon are a good side, they showed that in the first two games, so the fact we were able to get on top of them with our ball movement and kick a lot of goals gives us great confidence.
“The fact we are only three games in and already adapting well to the change, I’m excited to see where we can take it come the end of the season.”
Another exciting aspect to the Crows’ undefeated start to the season has been the performances of their younger players.
Hatchard said she has loved seeing the likes of Kiera Mueller, Abbie Ballard and Zoe Prowse step-up and take on crucial roles.
“It’s been quite tough for the backline (with injuries to Sarah Allan and Najwa Allen), but the young girls have stepped up so well down there,” Hatchard said.
“Abbie Ballard has taken a step forward, she had a really strong off-season and has come in and hit the ground running this season to become a crucial part of our team.
“Kiera (Mueller) has been awesome down back, and taken a bit of extra responsibility in her stride, while Zoe (Prowse) has shown just how talented she is.
“I saw all the hard work our young brigade put in over the offseason, so to see them step up and take key roles in our team, it is fantastic.”
Adelaide will be searching for a fourth straight win to the start to the season when it travels to Canberra to take on Greater Western Sydney this Saturday.
“At the moment we are just taking every game as it comes, you don’t know how a team is going to come out and perform,” Hatchard said.
“Playing in Canberra and in a nice and early game it is going to be different for us, but we are ready for the challenge and need to be switched on from the minute we walk onto the field.”
