CARLTON (2nd) vs ADELAIDE (1st)
Where: Thebarton Oval, Adelaide
When: Sunday, 19 February
Time: 11:35am local time
COVERAGE
Follow Carlton's social media channels where we’ll be posting live updates. FOX Footy will broadcast the match live nationally, while Channel 7 will broadcast live in Adelaide. The game can also be streamed live on the AFL Live app.
FORM GUIDE
Carlton is one of the early leaders in the inaugural AFLW season, undefeated following successive wins over Collingwood (35 points) and GWS (13 points). Club marquees Darcy Vescio and Bri Davey (20 disposals) again led from the front against the Giants, along with Shae Audley (12 disposals, five tackles, one goal) and Nat Exon (nine disposals, five tackles). Danielle Hardiman (14 disposals) stood tall in the absence of co-vice-captain Madeline Keryk and the encouraging debut of Kate Shierlaw (eight disposals, three marks) brought a smile to the face of Carlton's AFLW coach Damien Keeping.
Shae Audley is a key component of the Carlton midfield. (Photo: AFL Media)
Conversely, the top-of-the-table Adelaide presents a big challenge for the visiting Blues. The Crows are also undefeated following impressive wins against GWS (36 points) and the Western Bulldogs (25 points) in the opening two rounds. Despite close statistics in Round 2, the Crows' tackling pressure and ability to hit the contest hard were evident in their win at the Whitten Oval. Sarah Perkins’ two goals were inspirational for the visitors, along with the regular ball accumulators in Ebony Marinoff (18 disposals, six tackles) and Erin Phillips (17 disposals, four tackles).
WHAT THE STATS SAY
The Blues and the Crows can't be split in an attacking sense, with both teams sitting on an even ledger for goals (14 each) and marks inside 50 (16 each) so far this season. Carlton is ranked first in the competition for disposals, disposal efficiency and rebound 50s, while Adelaide sits last for clearances. This is a game which will be decided in the midfield. The Blues, who rank last in the league for centre clearances with just three overall, will be looking to get first use of the footy in what will be a hotly contested battle.
SELECTED TEAMS:
ADELAIDE
B: J.McCormick, R.Killian, A.Foley
HB: K.Gibson, A.Hatchard, D.Varnhagen
C: J.Mules
HF: A.Holmes, C.Randall, S.Perkins
F: D.Cox, T.Thorn, C.Cramey
FOLL: R.Metcalfe, G.Bevan, J.Sedunary
INT: E.Phillips, E.Marinoff, S.Thompson, T.Radan, S.Riley, H.Anderson
IN: J.Mules
OUT: S.Armistead (knee)
CARLTON
B: K.Loynes 2, D.Hardiman 31, G.Pound 6
HB: I.Ayre 22, R.Privitelli 9, A.Brown 27
C: L.Arnell 13(C)
HF: B.Davey 1, K.Shierlaw 25, B.Jakobsson 35 , K.Darby 8, N.Exon 15
F: T.Lucas-Rodd 18, L.Attard 14, M.Keryk 4
FOLL: B.Moody 16, N.Exon, S.Last 7
INT: K.Gillespie-Jones 5, D.Vescio 3, L.Brazzale 12, A.Downie 30, S.Hosking 10, S.Audley 26
Emergencies: T.Nestor 20, J.Kennedy 23
IN: M.Keryk, I.Ayre
OUT: K.Darby (omitted), J.Kennedy (omitted)
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
CARLTON
Shae Audley
Arguably Carlton’s most significant contributor in the midfield in the win over the Giants, Audley gathered 12 disposals, laid five tackles and kicked a late third-quarter goal to inspire the Blues' come-from-behind victory. With Keryk sidelined due to soreness, Audley filled the void exceptionally well and will again be a vital cog in Damien Keeping’s engine room against the in-form Crows.
Kate Shierlaw
The tallest player on Carlton’s list at 186cm, Shierlaw made an encouraging debut against the Giants. Gathering eight disposals and three marks primarily occupying the forward half, the Adelaide-born forward will relish the chance to impress in her home state on Sunday as a damaging tall. AFLW senior coach Damien Keeping was very encouraged by her debut and sees her getting better the more she plays for the club she’s supported her whole life.
ADELAIDE
Sarah Perkins
The 173cm Victorian has impressed at the Crows, kicking three goals in the opening two games. Her inspirational story began with Adelaide taking her as a free agent after being overlooked in the AFL Women’s Draft - this is despite being selected in the 2016 VWFL Team of the Year where she kicked 52 goals for the Eastern Devils. She’ll be one to watch at Thebarton Oval on Sunday.
Ebony Marinoff
The local midfielder was one of the best Crows in the win against the highly fancied Bulldogs, gathering 18 disposals and six tackles after a dominant Round 1 performance in the win over GWS (20 disposals, six tackles). The 19-year-old played for Melbourne in the AFL All Stars women's game late last year and has quickly become a key component in the potent Adelaide midfield.
Ebony Marinoff (left) and Erin Phillips have formed an outstanding parternship in the Crows' midfield. (Photo: AFL Media)
CONDITIONS
The weather is forecast to be overcast with a clearing morning shower, reaching a top of 22 degrees.
