Erin Phillips’ return after ACL soured by rampant Blues
Two-times AFLW premiership star and best and fairest winner Erin Phillips got through her first game since rupturing her ACL in last year’s grand final unscathed. But Phillips’ return was
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THE grand final rematch was always going to be a huge occasion.
Adelaide had its stars returning with Erin Phillips and Rhiannon Metcalfe making their way back to AFLW after ACL injuries, while Carlton was desperate to atone for the 45-point loss in last year’s flag decider.
The match, played in front of 7281 people was a game of two halves.
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Adelaide looked switched on, fast and hungry to continue its winning streak in the first half.
The Crows piled on the first three goals of the match and it quickly looked eerily similar to the 2019 grand final.
Although the hosts’ lead was cut to five points at half-time, it did not feel as though they would let the lead slip.
But enter Taylor Harris and Maddy Prespakis.
Power forward Harris produced a sensational third quarter and, together with young gun Prespakis (20 touches, three clearances) inspired the Blues to an eventual 5.6 (36) d the Crows 4.4 (28) win.
Carlton moved the ball well through the corridor and turned the tables on Adelaide pressuring the reigning premier into ball handling errors in that matchwinning second half.
Anne Hatchard was solid for Adelaide with 26 touches and a goal, while Ebony Marinoff finished with 20.
The Crows had a few chances with a couple of minutes left to steal the game back but the Blues’ defence, led by Charlotte Wilson, stood tall under pressure.
The loss has left the Crows with a 2-2 record and their match against North Melbourne in Hobart next Saturday suddenly turns into a must-win.
UPSET OF THE ROUND AS BLUES MAKE HISTORY
Carlton certainly had a point to prove after its huge grand final loss in 2019.
Although Blues coach Daniel Harford said post-game the team entered Sunday’s clash not thinking about last year, it was evident in the last quarter the side refused to lose again.
Carlton had never beaten the Crows before Sunday and the Blues were able to beat Adelaide at its own game, winning the contested possessions 95-72.
Carlton is now right in the finals mix with its 3-1 record.
RHIANNON RETURNS WITH A BANG
After almost 400 days on the AFLW sidelines, Rhiannon Metcalfe made the perfect return, kicking the Crows’ first goal of the match.
Sunday’s grand final rematch was Metcalfe’s first AFLW game since she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in Adelaide’s pre-season trial match against Fremantle in January, 2019.
She did not miss a beat early, inspiring the Crows to the first-half lead.
Just minutes into the first quarter, Metcalfe stole the ball from an opponent who was being tackled inside the Crows’ attacking 50 and snapped the ball which dribbled through the big sticks.
The crowd and Metcalfe’s teammates loved the goal and it gave the ruck plenty of confidence of being able to play in the big league after such a lengthy time away.
HARRIS’ HUGE SECOND HALF
After being well-held and missing a three easy set shots in the first half, Harris lit the field on fire in the second half.
The power forward beat her tag and managed to create plenty of space inside forward 50.
She finished with 2.3 and seven marks including a strong contested one in the final quarter.
Harris’ second major put Carlton in front by a point at three-quarter time.
She also showed class around the stoppages inside 50 and really pressured Adelaide’s defence.
FOLEY DOWN
Crows No. 1 ruck Jess Foley is one of Adelaide’s most important players and that was evident when the ex-basketball star went down with an ankle injury in the third quarter.
Foley failed to return to the ground and Metcalfe, who was still trying to gather some match fitness, was forced to shoulder every ruck contest after Foley went down.
Metcalfe worked hard but was ultimately beaten in the hit-outs as Carlton won the statistic 26-10.
Eloise Jones also suffered an injury scare in the final term after being crunched in a huge contest.
Jones was winded and limped off the field only to return a few minutes later.
E FACTOR
Erin Phillips made her long-awaited return to the field after rupturing her ACL in the 2019 flag decider against the Blues.
And what a fitting way to return - against Carlton in this season’s grand final rematch at home.
Phillips’ presence made her teammates walk so much taller and her pressure acts were second-to-none.
The two-times best and fairest and premiership player finished the match with 13 disposals and four clearances
Although she did not set the world on fire, Phillips performed well for her first game back after such a significant injury.
Phillips’ skills certainly have not left her and that was evident early in the first quarter when she took a juggling mark going back with the flight of the ball just outside 50 then made a pinpoint pass to teammate Anne Hatchard.
Hatchard unfortunately could not finish off with a goal but it was a strong piece of play from the Crows co-captain.
With her knee heavily strapped, the veteran had a shot on goal and although her shot was inaccurate the crowd cheered and certainly showed she had been missed.
SCOREBOARD
ADELAIDE 4.4 (28)
CARLTON 5.6 (36)
BEST:
Adelaide: Hatchard, Marinoff, S Allan, Phillips, Mules. Carlton: Prespakis, Harris, Wilson, Vescio, Egan.
GOALS:
Adelaide: Metcalfe, Considine, Jones, Hatchard. Carlton: Harris 2, Prespakis, Stevens, Vescio.
INJURIES:
Adelaide: Foley (ankle). Carlton: Gee (knee)