Danielle Ponter again shows the AFLW competition her talent after firing the Crows past Geelong
Danielle Ponter kicked four goals against Geelong on Sunday in a matchwinning display for the Crows. But Adelaide AFLW coach Matthew ‘Doc’ Clarke revealed he originally had her set for a different role.
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Crows AFLW coach Matthew Clarke is glad he didn’t go with his first instinct regarding where to play Danielle Ponter against Geelong.
The 20-year-old continued to show why she is so highly-rated by Adelaide, kicking four goals in the 11-point victory over the Cats at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday.
She also recorded 10 disposals and an equal game-high four marks.
But it could have been a different story as Clarke – who this week achieves AFL Life Membership – revealed post-match his original plan was to not have Ponter up forward for the Crows.
“I was going to play her in the midfield,” Clarke said.
“But I’m glad I didn’t.”
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Ponter has showed her talent for the Crows, earning a Rising Star nomination in Round 5 last year and kicking 13 goals from eight games.
But there is a sense the niece of AFL legend Michael Long, and cousin of former Hawthorn premiership star Cyril Rioli is set to go to the next level for Adelaide this season.
A big part of this is because the personal assistant for the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency’s youth criminal section in Darwin, the remaining “fly-in, fly-out” player for the Crows, spent a lot more time with the Crows’ squad during pre-season.
“I’ve been down in Adelaide spending the whole pre-season with the girls,” Ponter said.
“So, (I’m) getting through each and every session as it comes, I’ve got my fitness up a bit and proud of where I’m at.”
Clarke said Ponter’s increased time at the club was huge.
“What was great for her was to be around the whole group for the whole pre-season, to work on her fitness but to also gel with the team,” he said.
“She is a massive asset for us.”
While Ponter kicked four goals, the match in Geelong will be remembered this season for a controversial call that secured the Crows’ win.
With just 60 seconds on the clock, Cats defender Maddy McMahon conceded a behind, but the umpires adjudged it to be deliberate.
Ponter booted her fourth from the resulting free-kick and clinched the Adelaide victory.
Clarke said his side “got a little bit lucky”.
“By the letter of the law it was probably there, but when you saw it live it sort of didn’t feel quite right,” he said.
“We will take it, but I wasn’t a mad fan of the decision.”
The Crows next take on Carlton at Richmond Oval on Sunday in a grand final rematch.
They will be sweating on the result from the Match Review after Dayna Cox was reported for rough conduct on Danielle Higgins.