Crows breeze to comfortable AFLW win over young Giants
Oliver Caffrey |
A first-quarter surge with a strong breeze has powered Adelaide to a comfortable 32-point away win over winless GWS.
Kicking with a powerful wind to open the match, the Crows made the most of their advantage with a dominant 4.7 to 0.1 at Henson Park in Marrickville.
The young Giants, who lost classy veteran Alicia Eva to a hamstring injury in the first quarter, then fought seriously hard against the experienced Crows.
But Adelaide’s 30-point quarter-time lead was always going to be too hard to overcome as the Crows prevailed 7.12 (54) to 2.10 (22) for their second-straight win.
Just one goal was kicked against the wind, Stevie-Lee Thompson’s brilliant finish on the run midway through the last quarter.
Crows powerhouse Caitlin Gould was the sole multiple goal-kicker, slotting the first major of the game and then the only one of the third term.
Adelaide star Anne Hatchard was typically influential, overcoming an early knock when she was forced from the ground due to a cut lip.
“I just went in for a tackle, and her head just bumped my lip,” Hatchard told Fox Footy.
“They did a pretty good job, and got back out for quarter two.
“We just wanted to come out and play our footy.
“I guess that first game (a shock round-one loss to St Kilda), we did not show that at all.Â
“We started pretty hot in this game.
“Had a few patches here and there, but came off with the win, which we’re happy about.”
The Crows were dominant in the middle, winning clearances 31-17, even though reigning best-and-fairest Ebony Marinoff was kept relatively quiet with 17 touches.
Young Giants star Zarlie Goldsworthy led the way for the hosts with 25 possessions and a team-high three clearances.
GWS will head to the Gold Coast next Saturday as they search for their first win of the season.
Adelaide face their biggest test of the season so far when they host the Brisbane Lions next Sunday.
AAP
