AFLW 2021: Adelaide Crows and Brisbane Lions grand final player ratings
It was a grand final of epic proportions, with Brisbane getting the better of Adelaide. Our experts have rated every player – see who performed best.
AFLW
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFLW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Brisbane got the better of Adelaide in a frantic grand final at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon that saw crazy goals, heartbreaking injuries and a fierce contest.
But who were the best and worst performers for each side?
Our reporters have compiled their ratings for every Lions and Crows player, revealing those who fired and flopped during the match.
LIONS RATINGS
#1 Emily Bates – 7.5
Finished the match with 23 disposals and was instrumental in the win. The foundation Lions player was desperate to seek revenge over the Crows following the 2017 GF loss and didn’t disappoint.
#3 Bre Koenen – 8
Almost unstoppable in defence. Stifled Adelaide’s attack in their own 50. Managed eight uncontested possessions and 14 disposals. Was one of Brisbane’s best.
#5 Jade Ellenger – 6
Was kept quiet by the Crows but still finished the match with seven disposals and five uncontested possessions.
It’s time to register for Australia’s best fantasy footy game – KFC SuperCoach. Register now at supercoach.com.au
#8 Emma Zielke – 6
Heartbreaking for the skipper. Had a great first half but was ruled out for the rest of the game with a hamstring injury she suffered in the third quarter.
#9 Orla O’Dwyer – 7.5
Was everywhere in both attack and defence. Went into the halftime break with the most tackles of any player and finished with six.
#10 Nat Grider – 6.5
Desperate in defence. Managed 14 disposals and six contested possessions and was crucial up the back.
#12 Sophie Conway – 7.5
Big defensive effort. Had 14 disposals and 12 uncontested possessions. Was able to place herself in the right spot at the right time.
#13 Kate Lutkins – 9
The veteran Lion was one of the best on ground. Finished the match with 18 disposals, 10 return 50s in the defensive line and the Crows couldn’t find a way around her.
#14 Dakota Davidson – 6.5
Didn’t manage to kick a goal but provided the spark on the field. Adelaide really targeted the star forward and limited her shots on goal.
#15 Greta Bodey – 7.5
Finished the match with eight contested possessions and 14 disposals to prove one of the busiest players on the ground.
#16 Lauren Arnell – 7.5
Had 12 disposals, five tackles and a goal for a busy afternoon out on Adelaide Oval.
#17 Isabel Dawes – 7
Kicked a wonderful goal just before the end of the third quarter to hand Brisbane a 22-point lead leading into the final term.
#18 Ally Anderson – 8
Made a crucial smother in the dying minutes of the first quarter and was everywhere in defence during the first half. Finished the match with 23 disposals.
#20 Shannon Campbell – 6
Was key in defence. Made three tackles but each of them was crucial near the goalsquare to keep the Crows from scoring.
#21 Courtney Hodder – 9
Simply unstoppable in attack. Kicked the first goal of the match and followed up with a sensational second goal when she soccered it through the sticks.
#23 Jess Wuetschner – 8
Was also monumental in attack. Kicked Brisbane’s third goal to give the Lions the lead at the break. Followed up with a massive goal 50m out to extend Brisbane’s lead.
#24 Tahlia Hickie – 7.5
Was incredible in the ruck. Finished with a game-high 21 hit-outs to hand Brisbane the upper hand around the park.
#25 Catherine Svarc – 8
Set up Brisbane’s fifth goal with a great kick to the top of the goalsquare for Arnell to finish. Showed great desperation in defence in the dying minutes of the match.
#26 Indy Tahau – 5.5
Wasn’t as busy as her teammates but didn’t put a foot wrong. Finished with five disposals and four contested possessions.
#31 Taylor Smith – 5.5
Had some great touches but finished with just four disposals and three hit-outs.
CROWS RATINGS
#1 Caitlin Gould – 5
Adelaide lost the clearances and although Gould won 11 hit-outs, she was unavailable to have much of an influence around the grounds.
#2 Eloise Jones – 6
Kicked the first goal of the final term after an intercept mark and 50m penalty to bring Adelaide within 16 points. Had set up Ponter with a bullet pass in the first quarter then looked like kicking a major herself when she collected a ball on 50m, but it was rushed through for a behind.
#3 Angela Foley – 5
The acting captain went off the ground in pain late in the third quarter after what appeared to be a left knee injury. Made some mistakes but brought plenty of her usual energy and her defensive work had been solid.
#4 Chloe Scheer – 5
Fumbly early but the 21-year-old came into the game, lacing out Ponter with a nice kick inside 50. Returned from an ACL this season. Finished with six touches and four inside 50s.
#5 Rachelle Martin – 6
The shortest Crow, at 153cm, was a goer all game, playing typically ferocious. Gathered nine disposals.
#6 Hannah Button – 5
The speedster finished with seven disposals and, like a lot of her teammates, could not exert herself on the game.
#8 Najwa Allen – 5.5
Gutsy to run back with the flight of the ball and cause a spoil during the second quarter.
#9 Deni Varnhagen – 6.5
Had some nice moments, including a smother at the start of the second quarter and an intercept in the last. Finished with 13 disposals.
#10 Ebony Marinoff – 6
Started on the ball and was much quieter than her 35-disposal effort in the preliminary final, having only seven touches to halftime. Finished with just 16 for the match but laid six tackles.
#11 Rhiannon Metcalfe – 5
The 2017 premiership ruck finished with 11 hit-outs but could not give her side a clearance ascendancy.
#13 Erin Phillips – 4.5
Came in under an injury cloud, started in the midfield, was moved forward late but was shut-out of the game and unable to have her usual big-match influence. Missed an opportunistic chance in the second quarter. Finished with eight disposals.
#14 Stevie-Lee Thompson – 8
Lively first quarter that included the Crows’ first goal and a three-bounce run down the wing. Broke a tackle to boot her major. Streamed forward again early in the last as Adelaide made its charge. Had 18 disposals and five inside 50s to be arguably the Crows’ best.
#15 Danielle Ponter – 5
Booted Adelaide’s second major with a neat finish from 35m on a tight angle. Could not make the most of her other chances, including kicking one out on the full in the third term.
#16 Ailish Considine – 6
Came into the side for Randall and had 11 disposals. Could not do much about Courtney Hodder’s brilliant soccered effort in the second quarter but then was caught holding the ball late in the game after trying to take on the tackler.
#23 Justine Mules – 5
Her pressure was good and she laid a team-high seven tackles. The Crows’ second-lowest possession winner with five disposals.
#24 Ashleigh Woodland – 3.5
The off-season recruit from Melbourne started close to goals and could not make the most of her opportunities. Looked like getting a major in the second quarter when the ball bounced her way but the chance went begging.
#25 Teah Charlton – 6
The youngest Crow and the club’s top draft pick last year took a strong intercept mark early and finished with a team-high five grabs. Had some bright patches and had 11 touches.
#31 Dayna Cox – 5.5
Hurt herself in the third quarter but stayed on the field. Gathered 10 touches, including seven contested.
#32 Marijana Rajcic – 4
Her handling was a bit off, as she spent the ball before she had it a couple of times. Tried to provide run from defence.
#33 Anne Hatchard – 7.5
The on-baller finished as the Crows’ leading possession winner with 20 and was tough in the contest, also registering three clearances and four tackles. Was not quite at her best, but had a crack all day.
#39 Sarah Allan – 7
All-Australian defender kept Dakota Davidson quiet, restricting her to just five disposals and no goals. Gathered 11 touches herself.
Originally published as AFLW 2021: Adelaide Crows and Brisbane Lions grand final player ratings
Seventh heaven: Shelley, McDonald among latest Cats signings
Geelong has further cemented its list for the 2025 AFLW season, signing up to seven players on one-year deals. See who is sticking around.
‘Lit something in me’: The spark that inspired Shaw’s coaching return
Incoming Gold Coast Suns AFLW coach Rhyce Shaw has revealed what inspired his senior coaching comeback four years after parting ways with North Melbourne.