Adelaide’s AFLW side defeated Port Adelaide by 24 points in its first competitive hit-out of 2024 at Central Oval in Port Augusta on Sunday afternoon.

The Crows travelled to Port Augusta on Sunday, thanks to the support of the South Australian Government and BHP to take on the Power in match simulation training.

Adelaide made the most of the breeze in the second and fourth term to win 8.10 (58) to 5.4 (34).

Here are the five key takeaways from the match.

Fast start to the second term

Adelaide took control of the game in the second term, getting off to a blistering start which included kicking two goals in the opening three minutes of the quarter.

While the Crows were kicking with the wind, the on-ballers were the catalysts for the strong start, winning the centre clearances.

“Across the day I thought we were OK in that area, but there were certainly patches where our forwards and mids connected the way we wanted to,” AFLW Senior Coach Matthew Clarke said.

“It wasn’t consistent all game, but it was nice to see in patches.”

Key backs stand tall

Defenders Zoe Prowse and Chelsea Biddell held strong down back all afternoon for Adelaide, as both disallowed their direct opponent to get near the ball.

Whether it was defending one-on-one or coming across to support their teammates, both were standout contributors, making life difficult for Port’s forwards.

“Both of them have had really strong pre-seasons, they have completed all the sessions and have prepared really well physically and that translated in the first scratch match,” Clarke said.

“They are going to be important players for us and it was a nice way for them to get started.”

Draftees impress

Adelaide’s first-year players Brooke Boileau, Lily Tarlinton and Tamara Henry all had their first professional hit-out for the club, with the trio impressing Clarke.

Boileau had an instant impact when she came on the first term, booting a goal from against the boundary line on a tough angle.

Tarlinton spend most of the afternoon in the ruck, while Henry was lively up forward when opportunities presented.

“I thought all of the showed glimpses, Lily played ruck and then a quarter as a key defender and I thought she competed really hard,” Clarke said.

“Tamara and Brook did not get many minutes in the first half, but I thought Tamara got better as the game went on and competed really strong in the air, while for Brooke when she got her pure midfield minutes, she showed she is a natural ball winner.

Hatchard impacts up forward

Midfielder Anne Hatchard was at her ball winning best against Port, clean by hand and strong both on the inside and outside.

While Hatchard applied her trade through the middle, it was her ability to go forward and hit the scoreboard which was most impressive.

The three-time Premiership star booted two goals in the second quarter.

“She has always been a really strong mark as a midfielder, she started her career as a key position player,” Clarke said.

“We have great confidence in her ability to play multiple positions, she will still be a midfielder the majority of the time for us, but she can go forward which is a nice asset to have.”

Boyle-Carr impresses

Irish recruit Amy Boyle-Carr impressed in her first game in the tri colours, with her ball use and attack on the ball being the highlights.

Boyle-Carr showcased her ability to win the ball off half-back and strong decision making by foot an asset for Adelaide, with it allowing them to quickly get on the counter.

“She has only been in the country for three weeks,” Clarke said.

“So, for her to play her first ever game of footy and look reasonably comfortable at that level was pleasing.”

Adelaide will host Carlton in an official practice match at Unley Oval on Sunday, August 18, at 1pm.

The match will be free to attend and will be streamed on the AFC website.

SCOREBOARD

ADELAIDE: 2.3 6.3 6.5 8.10 (58)

PORT: 2.1 3.2 4.2 5.4 (34)

GOALS:

Adelaide: Waterhouse 2, Hatchard 2, Boileau, Jones, Martin, Biddell