Adelaide's resurgence in 2021 is quickly gathering momentum, with the two-time premiers going 2-0 with a controlled 47-point win against Greater Western Sydney at Blacktown International SportsPark on Sunday.
After launching the season with a 38-point win against West Coast, the Crows led from start to finish to beat the Giants 9.8 (62) to 2.3 (15) in the inaugural AFLW Pride Round.
The Crows had winners on every line, with the midfield controlling possession, the backline locking down and forcing difficult shots, and classy forward Danielle Ponter breaking the game open with three first-half goals.
The clearances were the Giants' one area of obvious strength early, with GWS star Alyce Parker (27 disposals, including a game-high 16 contested) a standout at the coalface, giving her team a 17-8 clearance advantage in the first half.
But Crows stars Ebony Marinoff (24 disposals and eight clearances), Anne Hatchard (23 and a goal) and Erin Phillips (19 and a goal) quickly fought back and got on top, giving the Crows a 234-183 advantage in overall possession.
Adelaide captain and three-time All Australian defender Chelsea Randall continued to play forward after her positional switch in round one, kicking her first goal for the season in the final term.
Ponter was the dominant forward, however, providing a highlight in the second quarter when she gathered cleanly on the move and fended off her opponent, turning in traffic and kicking her third goal on the run.
The Giants fall to 0-2 after losing their season opener against Fremantle by 30 points, meeting two of the season's clear premiership contenders in their first two matches.
Missed opportunity
GWS won the second quarter inside 50s 9-5 but walked into the rooms at half-time having lost the quarter 2.1 to 0.1. It was a missed chance to get a foothold in the game and it came down to poor ball use, particularly when moving the ball into attack. Cleaning up their skills will be a focus for the winless Giants.
The difference
Danielle Ponter's class in the first half was what separated the teams, with none more impressive than her third goal, which gave the Crows a 26-point lead. Her ability to get on top also allowed the Crows to use Phillips up the ground more, where she had an equal team-high four inside 50s. It was Phillips and Marinoff who combined up the ground to set up Ponter's third goal, with the trio arguably Adelaide's best, with apologies to Anne Hatchard.
Sore and sorry
It is likely Tarni Evans will be scrutinised by the Match Review Officer for a dangerous tackle on Ailish Considine, which ruled her out for the match halfway through the third quarter. Considine is likely to face 12 days on the sidelines under the new concussion protocols, despite the issue potentially being "on the minor end of things", according to the Crows.
Say what?
"I think it demonstrates the level of resilience among the group to manage some different preparations. All these things are different and they're challenges all teams may have to face at some point. Ultimately the ability to manage that and still put in a performance is the testament to the level of maturity within the group." - Adelaide coach Matthew Clarke
"We've got a lot of work to do. Our disposal is a bit off the mark right now. When you kick at 41 per cent it's pretty hard to score with any efficiency and effectiveness. I don't want to make excuses (about the preparation). There's no place in the game for whingers." - GWS coach Alan McConnell
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
1.0 1.1 1.1 2.3 (15)
ADELAIDE
3.1 5.2 5.4 9.8 (62)
GOALS
GWS: Zreika, Parker
Adelaide: Ponter 3, Hatchard, Phillips, Randall, Newman, Jones, Woodland
BEST
GWS: Parker, Beeson, Zreika, Hetherington
Adelaide: Marinoff, Ponter, Phillips, Hatchard, Allan, Gore
INJURIES
GWS: Nil
Adelaide: Considine (head knock)
