If there’s one superstition Adelaide AFLW star Anne Hatchard takes seriously it’s her game-day braids.
The hairstyle was once worn occasionally but has become a staple of the three-time Premiership player and triple Club Champion’s routine.
Hatchard’s wife, Georgie, is charged with the hour-long task and it’s a ritual that won’t be left off the list ahead of the Crows’ Preliminary Final against Brisbane this weekend.
“I don’t have too many superstitions but I’ve got to get my game-day braids done by my wife, Georgie,” Hatchard said.
“Here and there I would wear braids and then when Georgie came along she could braid my hair perfectly.
“Because she’s always around I was like ‘I want them done every single game’ and then it did become suppositious for me.
“At the moment I’m loving the four braids and that usually takes at least 50 minutes, so I’m sitting down for a while, getting a bit on edge, but it’s in the routine now.”
Adelaide won its way into the penultimate week of the season with a clinical 37-point Semi-Final win against Fremantle on Saturday.
The match against Fremantle was Hatchard’s 15th final, having been part of the Crows side since the inaugural year in 2017.
She planned to draw on her experience in big, pressure-filled games to help the Crows’ younger players, as they prepared for the Preliminary Final against the Reigning Premier.
“You just have to tell them that it’s just another game and to go about their processes just like any other game,” Hatchard said.
“There is that excitement that it is a final but they just need to go out there and play their role, stick to their strengths because that’s where they’re going to thrive.
“It’s such an exciting time and I do like to bring a little bit more of that leadership to help those younger girls through these games.
“It’s do-or-die, so it’s about being cool, calm and collected but still having that smile on our faces because when you’re having fun out there, that’s when your best footy comes out.”
Adelaide and Brisbane have enjoyed a storied rivalry across the past eight campaigns, with both being foundation teams and facing off in the inaugural AFLW Grand Final in 2017.
The Crows have played in four Grand Finals and won three (2017, 2019 and Season Six, 2022), while the Lions have played in three and prevailed in two (2021 against the Crows and in 2023).
Adelaide went down to Brisbane in Week Five by two points and Hatchard said the side was keen to atone for the defeat.
“We’ve been involved in a few Prelims before, so the vibe is really up,” Hatchard said.
“Each year, I just want to keep winning, Premierships are what drives me.
“It’s always a big game against Brisbane, we’ve been two very successful teams, so it’s always a good game.
“It’s really exciting we get to have another crack at them and hopefully get the win.”
Adelaide takes on Brisbane in a Preliminary Final at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday, November 23, at 6.30pm (ACDT).
Tickets available here.
