And that’s a wrap
The Medals have been handed out and the Cup is Adelaide’s. Today they cemented themselves as the greatest women’s team we have seen. They were tougher, bigger, swifter and better organised down back. Melbourne lost no admirers, and were still well in the contest late into the final term. But the Crows held their nerve and sealed it with a late goal to Danielle Ponter, a menacing presence all afternoon. It was a roller coaster AFLW season, with Covid scares, extreme weather, injuries and challenges galore. But this was a cracking Grand Final, with a worthy Premier. Thanks for all your messages, thank you Erin Phillips and Daisy Pearce, and congratulations Adelaide.
Players to win 3 #AFLW premierships
— Swamp (@sirswampthing) April 9, 2022
Sarah Allan
Anne Hatchard
Ebony Marinoff
Justine Mules
Erin Phillips
Chelsea Randall
Stevie-Lee Thompson
@CrowsAFLW #AFLWGF @aflwomens
More than a game ❤️#AFLW | #AFLWGF pic.twitter.com/QXIpAmKSyA
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) April 9, 2022
Daisy Speaks
Daisy Pearce: “We knew it would take a bloody good team to beat us, and that’s what you were.” It remains to be seen whether this is the last time we see Daisy in action, but what a footballer and what a class act she’s been.
Player of the Match
It couldn’t be anyone but Anne Hatchard. She was relentless.
Danielle Ponter and Chelsea Randall have played 20 #AFLW games as teammates
— Swamp (@sirswampthing) April 9, 2022
20 wins
@CrowsAFLW #AFLWGF @aflwomens
“Three baby!” 🏆🏆🏆#AFLW | #AFLWGF pic.twitter.com/egLwHTcUZn
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) April 9, 2022
An emotional Erin Phillips is being interviewed by the host broadcaster. This may well be the last time we see her in an Adelaide jumper. After a slow start, she was a key cog in this Premiership.
Full Time: Adelaide 4.5 (29) v 2.4 (16) Melbourne
The Crows are Premiers! Wild scenes right now at Adelaide Oval. They were just a bit tougher and a bit cleaner, and despite a third quarter rally from Melbourne, they ran out worthy winners.
4th Quarter: 1 Min Left
Adelaide have got this. They’re slowing it right down now.
Adelaide 4.5 (29)
Melbourne 2.3 (15)
4th Quarter: 5 Min Left
Danielle Ponter may have sealed this for Adelaide. On the back of a quick transition, she marked strongly, played on, and threaded a super goal. Uphill now for the Dees.
Adelaide 4.5 (29)
Melbourne 2.3 (15)
4th Quarter: 7 Min Left
The Dees are getting repeat Inside 50s but the Crows are holding on grimly.
Adelaide 3.5 (23)
Melbourne 2.3 (16)
3QT: Adelaide 3.5 (23) v 2.2 (14) Melbourne
The Dees have stepped up the pressure and are finally attacking through the corridor. They seem to be the ones running on top of the ground here. This Grand Final is far from a done deal for the Crows.
Adelaide 3.5 (23)
Melbourne 2.2 (14)
3rd Quarter: 7 Mins Left
Much needed goal to Melbourne’s Kate Hore after a long ball from Tayla Harris. Dees just hanging in there.
Adelaide 3.5 (23)
Melbourne 2.1 (13)
3rd Quarter: 9 Mins Left
Anne Hatchard keeps racking up the possessions. She’s clearly been the dominant player on the ground, and has played a key role in virtually every Crows forward thrust.
Adelaide 3.5 (23)
Melbourne 1.1 (7)
3rd Quarter: 14 Mins Left
Perfect start to the second half for the Crows as Danielle Ponter marks strongly in the goal-square and converts
Adelaide 3.5 (23)
Melbourne 1.1 (7)
Things need to change for @melbournefc in 2nd half. Mick Stinear’s ball movement plan is solid but @CrowsAFLW doing a great job to prevent them executing it. Dees need speed on ball. Kick to wide open space & run onto it. Anything to avoid the Crows defenders. #AFLWGF
— Jason Bennett (@JasonBennettTV) April 9, 2022
What an effort from Alyssa Bannan 😈
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) April 9, 2022
That's the spark the Dees needed!#AFLW | #AFLWGF pic.twitter.com/Mdrt5mZi9S
HT: Adelaide 2.5 (17) v 1.1 (7) Melbourne
A dominant first half from the home side. Their midfield is well on top, and their bigger bodies are proving too much for the Dees. But Melbourne can take great heart from the tight margin. They’ve been outplayed, but the Crows have squandered some easy chances. In the final few moments, there were signs this game is opening up, which will suit the visitors.
2nd Quarter: 1 Min Left
Adelaide 2.5 (17)
Melbourne 1.1 (7)
A much-needed goal for the Dees just prior to the break as Bannon steals a ball from the kick out and races into an open goal. Game on.
2nd Quarter: 6 Min Left
A very cleaver left foot snap from Phillips and they are careering away. She and Hatchard are tearing this game up.
Adelaide 2.5 (17)
Melbourne 0.0 (0)
2nd Quarter: 13 Min Left
Melbourne’s Maddie Gay has limped off with a right leg injury. I’m not an MD but it looks grim. Anne Hatchard is running riot for the Crows.
Adelaide 1.2 (9)
Melbourne 0.0 (0)
QT: Adelaide 1.1 (7) v 0.0 (0) Melbourne
It’s all Adelaide so far. They should probably be a couple more goals in front. It’s been a willing contest - a battle of the backlines.
1st Quarter: 1 Min Left
The Crows look a little bit tougher at the contest so far, and better organised down back. Erin Phillips hasn’t registered a possession yet, so that’s a win for the Dees.
Adelaide 1.1 (7)
Melbourne 0.0 (0)
1st Quarter: 5:40 Mins Left
Ripping grab on the goal line from Adelaide’s Jas Hewitt and she check-sides the opening goal of this GF.
Adelaide 1.1 (7)
Melbourne 0.0 (0)
1st Quarter: 7 Mins Left
Superb courageous mark from Melbourne’s Lily Mithen across half forward. Adelaide have coughed up a few certain chances so far in what has been a torrid opening.
Adelaide 0.1 (1)
Melbourne 0.0 (0)
1st Quarter: 11 Mins Left
The Adelaide defensive zone is in full effect here. They push numbers back and deny Melbourne the middle of the ground. They’ve rushed a behind, the first score of this GF.
Adelaide 0.1 (1)
Melbourne 0.0 (0)
Opening Bounce
And we are away in the 2022 AFLW Grand Final!
Adelaide Line Up
B: C.Biddell, M.Rajcic
HB: C.Randall (C), S.Allan, N.Allen
C: S.Thompson, A.Hatchard, A.Considine
HF: D.Ponter, A.Woodland, E.Jones
F: E.Phillips, R.Martin,
FOLL: C.Gould, E.Marinoff, T.Charlton
I/C: H.Button, H.Munyard, J.Hewett, J.Mules, N.Gore
Three changes for the Crows, with Eloise Jones and Najwa Allen returning from suspension, and Jasmine Hewitt coming in for her third game of the year. Brooke Tonon and Maddie Newman were stiff to miss out, while Montana McKinnon misses after copping a one week ban at the tribunal.
Melbourne Line Up
No changes for the Dees.
B: L.Birch, G.Colvin
HB: S.Goldrick, S.Lampard, S.Heath
C: K.Paxman, T.Hanks, L.Mithen
HF: A.Bannan, K.Hore, S.Scott
F: D.Pearce (C), T.Harris
FOLL: L.Pearce, O.Purcell, M.Gay
I/C: C.Sherriff, E.West, E.Zanker, E.McNamara, M.Fitzsimon
Preamble
Good afternoon and welcome to this Grand Final edition of the Guardian live blog. There’s surely never been an AFLW game as highly anticipated as this. Predicably - and not unreasonably - the pre-match narrative has centred around two women. In this competition, Daisy Pearce and Erin Phillips have been the dominant footballers of their generation. The impact they’ve had on their clubs, on attracting girls to the sport, and on lifting the standard of women’s football is immeasurable. Phillips is on her home turf and, chasing her third premiership. Pearce is one of the most beloved figures in the game. She’s highly sought-after as a coach and a TV pundit. But right now, what she really wants is a Premiership.
But there’s much more to this Grand Final than Pearce and Phillips. There’ll be an abundance of talent on display, with 35 All Australian blazers between them. And it will be a contrast of styles, with Adelaide’s watertight defensive game in stark contrast to the Dees, who like to take the game on, and attack through the corridor.
It’s a glorious day in Adelaide. There’s few better venues to watch sport. Feel free to drop me a line, let’s hope for a Grand Final for the ages, and I hope your team gets up.
