Injuries to two key ruck players sour an impressive Crows win over Fremantle in a trial game in Darwin

There was much to like about the Crows 20-point victory over Fremantle in their trial match in Darwin. But injuries to key ruck players was a sour note

MATTHEW “Doc” Clarke started his first training session in November as new head Crows AFLW coach asking his squad to play simple footy.

“S.F.W.,” he told them: Simple. Footy. Wins.

And his team delivered just that in their first hit out as a new team, by beating Fremantle by 20 points in a trial game at Darwin’s TIO Stadium in humid night-time conditions.

But the impressive win - with highlights including accurate kicking in front of goal, enough run in the legs to see out the game and players adapting out of position - was soured by two injuries to key ruck players.

In the second quarter, Rhiannon Metcalfe was stretchered off the ground, after injuring her left knee.
Metcalfe, will fly back to Adelaide from Darwin ahead of the rest of the team for scans to determine the damange.

Then in the final quarter second ruck Jasmyn Hewett came off and was on crutches after injuring her ankle.

It leaves Clarke with diminishing options in ruck and with less than two weeks until Round One, he’d be concerned about who he’ll use as replacements.

Rhiannon Metcalfe is taken off the field late in the second quarter with a knee injury during Saturday nights AFLW match against the Fremantle Dockers in Darwin. Picture: Justin Kennedy

“Clearly that’s the challenge out of the night with two injuries, both in our ruck stocks, unfortunately we don’t know the full extent of either at this stage, so we’ll just wait and see,” he said post-game.

“Really disappinting for the two girls who have both worked amazingly well during the pre-season and both had started pretty well and were having an impact in the game, so for them to not be able to finish it out is really disappointing and we wait and see what the outcome is.”

But there were positives: Clarke was pleased with the team’s third quarter in which they outscored Fremantle 19 points to three.

“It was tough conditions and by the last quarter everyone was a little bit fatigued but I thought particuarly through that third quarter their pressure and their intent was really strong,” he said.

Adelaide Crows' coaches were happy with the pressure and work rate of Dayna Cox during Saturday night’s AFLW trial match against the Fremantle Dockers in Darwin. Picture: Justin Kennedy

“At times we lost our structure a little bit ahead of the ball and also behind at times, we looked up and they had a couple spares and I thought: ‘Oh, I’m not sure how that happened’.

“But overall, in terms of intent and overall work rate the contest was outstanding.

“I think physically we’re in pretty good shape and that gives you confidence that they’re going to be able to run out games.”

Club champions Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall had their work loads managed, with Randall playing the first half and Phillips the second.

“That was always the plan and both got through the game,” Clarke said.

“Clearly they are going to be really important players for us throughout the season and in reality I was just happy for them to have a run.”

The game also offered the coaching staff an opportunity to try players out of position: Marijana Rajcic was shifted from defence to forward and back again, while first-time player Danielle Ponter was moved from the midfield to defence.

Basketballer-turned-footballer Jess Foley proved she could play any role anywhere on the park, and Chloe Scheer - having spent all of last year on the sidelines after damanging her knee - was a strong presence up forward and booted two.

But it was Dayna Cox who impressed coaching staff with her determined run and work ethic.

The Crows will return to Darwin on Feburary 23 to take on Fremantle again and Clarke said the trial game had given the side a good understanding of how tough the conditions will be.

“We play at a similar time and no doubt similar conditions against the same opponent, so both clubs got a chance to experience that and I’m sure they’ll be taking some learnings away from it as well,” he said.

In the end, the Crows’ 20-point win was in a trial game - but according to club lore, that’s the Crows first AFLW trial game victory.

However the true test comes when they take on reigning AFLW premiers the Western Bulldogs on February 2 at Norwood Oval.

And more than likely, they’ll be doing it without their first two ruck picks.

Adelaide Crows 9.4. (58)

Fremantle 5.8. (38)