Crows AFLW co-captain Chelsea Randall happy to drive a ‘team defence’ system in the grand final

Crows AFLW co-captain Chelsea Randall loved kicking her first goal of 2019 last week, but was keen to go back to being a pillar in the backline for the grand final against Carlton on Sunday.

CROWS co-captain Chelsea Randall has a little smirk when she thinks back to kicking her first goal for 2019 in last week’s AFLW preliminary final win against Geelong.

Randall’s goal was just her fourth since making her debut with the Crows in 2017 – she kicked two in the inaugural year and one last season.

But the tough defender was not expecting to sneak forward too much when her side takes on Carlton in the AFLW grand final at Adelaide Oval this Sunday.

“It (kicking a goal) was exciting,” Randall said.

Crows AFLW co-captain Chelsea Randall ahead of the grand final on Sunday. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“I spent maybe two minutes up there so it was nice to sneak one in and get one.

“I think I tried a run-in, kind of bouncing go at it (the goals) as well but unfortunately that one didn’t really work.

“I think my strongest point is down back so I will provide that role down there for my team and who knows I might be able to sneak up forward again.”

Randall is a pillar in the backline for Adelaide, amassing 14 rebound 50s this season.

She is third in the competition for intercept possessions with an average of eight per game, behind Collingwood’s Ashleigh Brazill (10) and Geelong’s Meghan McDonald 8.8.

Randall is also third in average intercept marks with 2.4 behind North Melbourne’s Jess Duffin (3.1 per game), Brazill (2.7).

But she was not prepared to give away who was set to stand Carlton star forward Tayla Harris.

Harris is a force for the Blues inside 50, having kicked eight goals from six matches this season.

Chelsea Randall is tackled by Geelong’s Richelle Cranston during the AFLW preliminary final at Adelaide Oval. Picture: AAP David Mauriz

She is also fresh off being a target of online trolls because of an action picture of her kicking for goal during a match earlier this month.

“We play a team defence and play our role as a generic team defence,” she said.

“It’s not about one person down there, it’s about all of us stepping up and stepping up to get the job done.

“Carlton have come a really long way since round two and so have we.

“You just don’t know on such a big game, anything can unfold.

“It’s an exciting week for us.

“Footy is about moments and we just hope each contest we can continue to compete and hold on for four quarters.

“At the end of the day it’s just going to come down to game day and who’s going to bring it more.”

Chelsea Randall celebrates with teammates after kicking a goal against Geelong in the preliminary final. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images