ADELAIDE has kept its hopes of defending its NAB AFL Women's premiership alive in a comfortable 35-point win against Carlton at Norwood Oval despite superstar Erin Phillips suffering a reoccurrence of her quad injury.
Phillips left the ground in the second quarter with what the Crows described as right quad awareness. The co-captain said she would have been available to return if necessary, but her presence wasn't required.
The Crows dominated the second term, including a patch where they booted three goals in about two minutes on the way to the 8.7 (55) to 2.8 (20) final result.
Adelaide pair Ruth Wallace and Eloise Jones were dangerous in attack with three and two goals respectively, with Jones' effort to snap it through from the pocket a major highlight.
Coach Bec Goddard was impressed with her side's prowess when it went forward.
"The attack tonight was quick, it was hard for another team to defend and we made them pay when we had the opportunities," Goddard said.
Ruth Wallace kicked three goals for the home side. (Photo: AFL Photos)
Carlton struggled in several facets of the game, with Adelaide winning contested possessions 105-80 and clearances 30-15.
The Blues did not concede a point in the third quarter but added just three points to their own score in that term, to the annoyance of coach Damien Keeping.
"Through that third quarter, we had 11 inside 50s to two and just didn't impact the scoreboard. Those missed opportunities are something we'll need to look back on," Keeping said.
Midfielders Katie Loynes and Sarah Hosking tried hard all game while Breann Moody offered a physical presence in the ruck.
Adelaide moved up to fifth after the victory and were separated from second-placed Brisbane by half a game after the Crows' draw with Greater Western Sydney last week.
Work in progress
Carlton conceded seven goals to pint-sized Western Bulldogs forward Brooke Lochland last week and on Saturday night struggled to contain Wallace and Jones. Both did well to capitalise on some difficult chances but defending those smaller types has been a weakness for Keeping's side.
Can the reigning premiers do it again?
After a poor start, Adelaide look to be working into form. The Crows dominated through the midfield, apart from the third quarter, and were dangerous in attack. Even though Phillips isn't completely over her quad issues, she is nevertheless an absolute gun and was influential both as an onballer and in attack.
Kudos to you
The Blues were belted around the footy but Loynes could not be held at fault. The gritty midfielder was constantly at the bottom of packs and had her head cut open in the third term but returned with bandaging to finish the game. She picked up 11 disposals and a match-high 10 tackles.
Katie Loynes laid 10 tackles and collected 11 possessions on Saturday night. (Photo: AFL Photos)
Say what?
"Our attack was terrific tonight but also, we look at the third quarter, (the footy) spent about 79 per cent in their forward half and our defenders really stood up. They (the Blues) just couldn't break through so I was really happy with our defence."
- Adelaide coach Bec Goddard
"The shift they (Carlton players) made through the early part of the week, to learn out of that experience from the game against the Bulldogs and really shift on to a focus that was able to deliver a different level of intent right from the word go tonight, I thought they were exceptional in doing that. If we go to the tackle count, we had 70 tackles to 54, which was a real measure of that intent."
- Carlton coach Damien Keeping
What’s next?
The Crows will aim to extend their unbeaten streak to four when they travel north to host Fremantle at TIO Stadium in Darwin next Friday night at 5.35pm ACST while the Blues have a tough task on the Sunday, coming up against Melbourne at Ikon Park from 4.35pm AEDT.
ADELAIDE 2.2 6.3 6.3 8.7 (55)
CARLTON 1.4 2.4 2.7 2.8 (20)
GOALS
Adelaide: Wallace 3, Jones 2, McCormick, Hewett, Sedunary
Carlton: Harris, Vescio
BEST
Adelaide: Wallace, Randall, Jones, Marinoff, Phillips, Rajcic
Carlton: Loynes, S.Hosking, Harris, Moody, Audley, Gay
INJURIES
Adelaide: Phillips (quad), Cramey (hamstring)
Carlton: Nil
