In a rematch of the inaugural AFLW Grand Final, Adelaide will take on Brisbane on Saturday afternoon with everything on the line.
The Crows will be looking to claim their third premiership from four tries, if you discount the cancelled 2020 season, and cement their legacy as the dominant team of the first era of AFLW.
A lot has changed since 2017, but Adelaide still has 12 members of that Grand Final side on their list and their core players remain.
Brisbane meanwhile only has seven, with the majority of their side picked off by expansion teams.
In fact, 10 members of the Lions’ inaugural AFLW side are still in the league and playing elsewhere.
The 10 were key players too – Tayla Harris (Carlton), Jamie Stanton (Gold Coast), Kaitlyn Ashmore (North Melbourne), Kate McCarthy (St Kilda), Tahlia Randall (North Melbourne), Sam Virgo (Gold Coast), Leah Kaslar (Gold Coast), Sabrina Frederick (Richmond), Brittany Gibson (North Melbourne) and Jordan Membrey (Collingwood).
By comparison, only two Crows from their 2017 premiership side are currently on lists elsewhere – Sarah Perkins (Gold Coast) and Kellie Gibson (West Coast)
Being able to rebuild their list on the fly and make it back to the Grand Final so quickly is a testament to Lions coach Craig Starcevich and their overall list management.
Adelaide made their way through, winning a final of sorts in Round 9 over Collingwood to earn top spot and control home field throughout finals.
They then took full advantage of that against Melbourne in the Preliminary Final, winning comfortably at the Adelaide Oval and booking their ticket through.
The Lions similarly finished the year with wins over the Magpies and Roos to earn second spot and a much-needed bye in the first week of finals.
That home field advantage proved crucial against Collingwood in their Preliminary Final, outlasting them in the blistering Queensland heat.
The biggest storyline heading into this game is Adelaide captain Chelsea Randall, who will miss with concussion.
Many asked whether the AFL’s new 12-day concussion protocols would hold firm if it meant a star player missed a Grand Final and at the first possible instance of testing this, they have.
The Crows have struggled historically without Randall and will need to get over the line without their courageous barometer.
ADEL in #AFLW games
— Swamp (@sirswampthing) April 12, 2021
Chelsea Randall playing
24-7-1
46.8 avg pts for
25.5 avg pts ag
183.5%
Chelsea Randall missing
3-5-0
31.3 avg pts for
38.9 avg pts ag
80.4%
@CrowsAFLW @lionsaflw @aflwomens
Adelaide versus Brisbane is arguably AFLW’s best rivalry to this point and you can expect a ferocious contest.
The Crows have been a force on Adelaide Oval and their midfield group may overpower the Lions.
Sidenote: If Erin Phillips dominates and wins her third best on ground in a Grand Final medal, the league will have no choice but to name the award after her when she retires.
Tip: Adelaide by 11 points.
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