Adelaide Crows players celebrate after huge AFLW win over Carlton

What a match. What a day. What a team. As 53,000 fans packed out Adelaide Oval — far more than expected — the Adelaide Crows made it a grand final no one will ever forget.

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Optimism quickly turned to unbridled joy at Adelaide Oval on Sunday as more than 53,000 fans cheered on the Crows to their second AFLW premiership in three years.

The threat of rain failed to prevent a record AFLW crowd from pouring into the Oval, with the local support labelled by Carlton coach Daniel Harford as one of the “most significant” moments in Australian rules history.

He said after the game that it was a “very special moment for the AFLW and for footy in Australia”.

Among the hordes of Crows fans cheering on the home team to a 45-point win were Kelly Shannon and her young daughter Matilda.

“Adelaide’s always really parochial and supportive when we’re doing well — I think it’s amazing,” Kelly said.

A panorama shot of Adelaide Oval during the 2019 AFLW Grand Final between Adelaide and Carlton. Picture: AFC Media

“It’s really good to see females doing so well at the highest level of sport, and it’s really encouraging for girls when they’re playing sport, that it’s not just the men up there. Matilda’s done Auskick a few times and she loves it.”

Singer Amy Shark entertained the larger than expected crowd, which forced Adelaide Oval officials to open the top tier of the Riverbank stand in the first quarter, prompting a mad rush from fans keen to secure a seat.

Belinda Schulz and granddaughter Elsa White arrived early to soak up the atmosphere near the Crows cheer squad, after making the journey from Loxton.

Crows co-captain Erin Phillips with the cup after the win at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty

“We were up early but we’ve been following the girls from the start,” Ms Schulz said. “Elsa likes to have a kick of the footy in the backyard and we wanted to see the girls play today.”

After the Crows kicked away in the first half, the crowd fell silent in the third quarter when fan favourite Erin Phillips went down with a serious knee injury.

She received a standing ovation from the crowd, including Crows forward Eddie Betts watching from the stands.

Phillips is taken off the ground after her injury. Picture: AAP / Kelly Barnes

“We always knew the crowd were going to get around it, especially the Adelaide faithful supporters,” he said. “It’s really evolved (AFLW) and our girls have been fantastic all year — it’s really shown with what they’ve done today. Hopefully Erin’s okay.”

Essendon legend Michael Long, watching niece Danielle Ponter kick three Crows goals, said the women’s game had a bright future.

Elsa White and Belinda Schulz at the match. Picture: AAP / Keryn Stevens

The Adelaide crowd applauds during the match. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

“Obviously it’s an historical moment for the AFL (W) and for the game, but there’s been a lot of work go into the skill level and it’s only going to get bigger,” he said.

But it wasn’t all cheers, with a small contingent of Carlton fans enduring a dismal weekend following Port Adelaide’s victory against the men’s team on Saturday.

Mark and Terry Hosking made the trip from Melbourne to support their twin daughters and Carlton midfielders Jess and Sarah.

“This crowd is fantastic, Adelaide should be proud, but it’s been a bad 24 hours for us,” Mr Hosking said.

After the match, hundreds packed The Highway at Plympton for the official Crows after-party.

Players dressed in white T-shirts emblazoned with “premiers” on the back mingled with friends, family and fans

Injured co-captain Erin Phillips arrived at the afterparty. Picture: AAP / Keryn Stevens

Players mums Peta Kranz and Carolyn Cox. Picture: AAP / Keryn Stevens

The coveted premiership cup also did the rounds with the Crows faithful who were eager to have their picture taken with the silverware.

Premiership player Sarah Allan, 21, was soaking up the atmosphere.

“It’s just an amazing feeling for the club to get another premiership,” she said.

“It just ended our season the way we deserved.”

Allan was stunned by the size of the crowd at the Oval.

“When I saw the amount of people on the screen, I honestly felt like time stopped,” she said.

“It was just amazing that everyone supported us and I thank everyone that came out and got on board.”

Grace Ryder, 9, of Hawthorn, was one of those supporters who headed to Sunday’s game.

She now wants to play AFLW footy when she gets older after being inspired by the Crows’ win.

Adelaide players arrive at the afterparty. Picture: AAP / Keryn Stevens

“It was really good,” she said. “All the players were doing their best.”

Older brother Ollie, 11, described the clash as “an overall good game”.

“When there were highs and lows, the whole crowd was riding it as well,” he said. “I think they worked well as a team.”

Some very happy — and proud — mothers were among those celebrating at the Highway on Sunday evening.

Carolyn Cox, mother to Crows defender Dayna Cox, said the game “exceeded all my expectations”.

Grace and Ollie at the party. Picture: AAP / Keryn Stevens

“The girls were amazing,” she said. “I didn’t have any doubt that they were going to take the cup home.”

Midfielder Courtney Cramey’s mother Peta Kranz described the turnout to the game as “fantastic (and) unbelievable”.

“People are taking it more seriously now,” she said.