If you ask Adelaide AFLW star Chelsea Randall why she continues to put her body on the line for her team, the answer is simple.
“In all honesty, I just love competing,” Randall said.
“I am a competitor, I just want to win the footy back for my teammates and want to give it my all.
“That’s all really, at the end of the day, I just want to compete for my mates and that’s what motivates me to throw myself into it.”
Randall produced her customary team-first attitude during Adelaide’s Qualifying Final loss against North Melbourne on Friday night, finishing the game with 22 disposals, six tackles - including an inspiring chase-down in the second term - and two goals.
The run-down tackle came at a crucial time and resulted in a goal for the Crows, giving them a lead at half-time.
“In all honesty, the ball was turned over and they made a switch for it, and I could see Keeley (Kustermann) was coming to press, so I thought I needed to get up the ground and help our team defence,” Randall said.
“Fortunately, she stepped inside and I read it well enough to be able to get it done.
“I knew I also had Gouldy (Caitlin Gould) behind me, so if I could move it on quickly, we might get a chance to score.
“At the end of the day as forwards, we are just trying to make sure when it does turn over we are getting up and supporting the team in defence.”
Despite leading at the main break, Adelaide went down to the Kangaroos by seven points and Randall said the side was disappointed it was unable to capitalise on a dominant first half.
“We were a bit disappointed in that second term when we weren’t able to maximise our inside-50 entries,” Randall said.
“But overall I was really pleased with some of our efforts, North Melbourne is a good side and they came out and responded in that third quarter.
“We kept fighting the way through, so I was proud of that relentless effort from our girls.”
After finishing the minor round fourth and earning a double chance, Adelaide is now preparing for a do-or-die Semi-Final against Fremantle at Norwood Oval this Friday night.
The former Skipper and three-time Premiership player said she was working hard along Co-Captains Ebony Marinoff and Sarah Allan to lift her teammates’ spirits, as they looked to keep their finals campaign alive.
“Noffy, Sarah and I have exchanged texts back and forth just about staying present in the moment and keeping that belief really high within our group,” Randall said.
“We know we are so close to being able to put it all together.
“I understand we lost the game and people will be disappointed but I was really excited about where this group is going and where our focus is at. Everyone is very driven and I know when we are playing our best footy we can take it to any team.
“Freo are playing some really nice footy, so we’ve just got to match them in the contest and move the footy at that fast pace to try and by-pass that defence they do so well.”
Adelaide hosts Fremantle in a Semi-Final at Norwood Oval on Saturday at 3.05pm.
Tickets available here.
