AFLW 2021: Get the latest injury news on Chelsea Randall and Daisy Pearce
Following her side’s win over Collingwood, Chelsea Randall left the ground in a moon boot. Where does that leave her with finals in a fortnight.
AFLW
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFLW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Having put in a near best-on-ground performance in her side’s tight 14-point win over Collingwood on Sunday, Crows captain Chelsea Randall hobbled away from Norwood Oval in a moon boot.
But Adelaide is confident their All-Australian tall will be right for the team’s home preliminary final in a fortnight after precautionary scans on Monday morning cleared her of any damage.
Randall landed awkwardly on her right ankle after going up for a marking contest in the third term on Sunday, and was forced to jog on the boundary line to prove her fitness late in the quarter.
Watch every match of the 2021 NAB AFLW Competition LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >>
But she returned to the field and finished off her solid 12-disposal, five-mark, three-tackle game.
After the final siren, she spent significant time icing her sprain and was put in the moon boot as a precaution.
“I just landed on the ankle a little bit funny, I came off, got it strapped up and got the check by the doc and everything was OK,” she said.
“After the game, (medical staff) said: ‘Just to be sure we’ll throw you in a boot for a couple of days just to minimise the movement’.
“So they must just know me well, because I like to be on my feet and moving about, it’s hard for me to sit still, so (the boot’s) probably a good thing.
“We’re coming into finals footy, anything that’s just going to give me an extra one per cent so if that means just stay off the foot, I’ll get a scan tomorrow just to rule out everything and anything, and personally I’ll be right to go in a couple of days time.”
Randall’s impact in the Crows’ win – which put them on top of the AFLW ladder and gifted them a week off and a home preliminary final in a fortnight – was felt at both ends of the ground, and in ways that didn’t make the stats sheet: she provided ferocious support around contests, was diving for spoils and as vocal as ever on ground.
She said while the team was relieved to finish top and would enjoy its well-earned rest, they understood their upcoming preliminary final opponents – the winner of Melbourne or Fremantle – were tough, considering they had lost to both the Demons (by 28 points) and Dockers (30 points) this season.
“When the final siren blew, it was awesome, but we understand that we worked hard to get to that position and to get this week off, but our job is certainly not done yet,” she said.
“We’ll spend the next two weeks getting as mentally and physically prepared as we can to play in the prelim.”
HUGE RESULT: ALL-CONQUERING CROWS CLAIM TOP SPOT
Warren Partland
Adelaide claimed top spot on the ladder and made an AFLW statement after conquering previous league leading Collingwood at Norwood Oval on Sunday.
The 14-point win enabled the Crows to jump from fourth and secure a bye in the opening round of the finals.
It was a costly loss for the Magpies and they dropped to third on the ladder.
Such was the tight race on the point table, the Magpies dropped to third, only to regain top spot when Chloe Molloy kicked a goal in the final term.
But the Crows were able to respond and spark more change on the ladder.
INSPIRING CROW
Crows captain Chelsea Randall had a major influence at both ends of the ground.
The inspirational leader started the quarters at centre half back, before being switched to centre half forward. Her work ethic is incredible, not just chasing possessions, but having an enthusiasm for those one percenters.
Randall is such a competitor and never gave up on the contest with her willingness to smother and tackle, do those selfless acts to bring teammates into the game.
That was no more evident than late in the second term when she smothered a kick, then bounced back to her feet to lay a tackle and prevent the Magpies from launching an attack.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ MORE AFLW MATCH REPORTS
FINALS A WEEK EARLY
There was plenty of the line, especially for the Crows, and it seemed the finals had come a week early.
There was definitely a major round atmosphere and that was reflected in the approach of the two classy sides with the contest played at pace and aggression.
The pressure was intense and the players showed why Crows coach Matthew Clarke believes the finals series will be the most competitive yet.
TERRITORY ADVANTAGE
Most of the statistics for the opening quarter were even, apart from one. The Crows had 11 visit inside 50 compared to just three for the Magpies.
The Magpies were able to score twice on those entries though, and then turn the situation around in the second term when they had one more inside 50 than the opposition.
Busy midfielder Brittany Bonnici had a significant impact for the Magpies, while down back Stacey Livingsone made life difficult for the Crows forwards.
Keeps it alive, follows up, goal. Reward. For. Effort! 👊#crowsaflw#weflyasonepic.twitter.com/WmfrCjX7HM
— Adelaide Crows AFLW (@CrowsAFLW) March 28, 2021
COX RETURNS
The Crows received a boost on the eve of the finals when two-times premiership player Dayna Cox made her first AFLW appearance for the season following hamstring issues.
Her experience, as well as her skills and ability to hit targets, was valuable in defence and no doubt she will benefit from the hit out.
Cox returned to action for Glenelg in the SANFLW last week.
BLUES HOLD OFF YOUNG GIANTS
– Sophie Welsh
Scintillating performances from GWS veteran Cora Staunton and young gun Tait Mackrill weren’t enough to stop Carlton from finishing their season on a high, running out victors over the Giants by one point.
While Carlton had the ascendancy early, GWS wrestled back momentum in the second half, with Mackrill booting two goals to bring the Giants achingly close to victory.
Blues mainstay Darcy Vescio booted two goals early to see her take out the AFLW’s goalkicking title, but the key forward swung back into defence in the late stages of the game, taking a game-saving mark in the final moments to ensure a Carlton victory.
With finals out of the equation for both teams, the clash was all about salvaging pride and ending a season like no other on a high note.
Cora Staunton got the Giants on the board early, crumbing the ball inside 50 and snapping a goal with her trademark crossbody kick.
Vescio answered soon after, biting back to kick her 15th goal of the season to open Carlton’s account.
Cora Staunton accelerated away from Vaomua Laloifi early in the second quarter to pick the ball up off the deck and kick a goal on the run from 40 metres out.
Brooke Walker converted a set shot – and may have cut off a kick intended for leading goalkicker Vescio – to get the Blues their second.
Lauren Brazzale got on the end of a well-placed Elise O’Dea kick to push Carlton’s margin out to 11 points.
A second goal from Darcy Vescio halfway through the third term, but the Giants turned up the heat, showing intent around stoppages and applying immense pressure to Carlton’s midfielders.
Tait Mackrill made amends for spraying an earlier set shot, with her crossbody snap on the run curving perfectly through the goalposts to pare the margin back to 11 points before the final break.
Desperation all over the ground right now 🔥#AFLW | #AFLWGiantsBluespic.twitter.com/U3oYfvzTTz
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 28, 2021
Mackrill took advantage of a turnover to kick her second goal half-way through the final term, paring the margin back to just one point with less than seven minutes remaining in the game.
Despite the Giants’ best efforts, Carlton’s backline managed to withstand the onslaught and win the game by a solitary point.
Carlton’s Katie Loynes and Alison Downie were chaired off after the game, with both GWS and Carlton players forming a guard of honour.
THE VESCIO SHOW
One of Carlton’s marquee signings in the inaugural AFLW season, Darcy Vescio showed she’s still a star, becoming the first AFLW player to kick 16 goals in a season.
Booting two goals to comfortably become the 2021 AFLW leading goalkicker, Vescio’s forward nous was on display, playing from the goal square and taking four marks.
It’s the second time she’s taken out the title, leading the league’s goalkicking in 2017.
Goals weren’t the only highlight from Vescio, with her one handed pick-up of the ball off the deck at a stoppage another example of her class this season.
Vescio could have potentially kicked a third goal, with Brooke Walker cutting off a kick in Vescio’s direction in the second quarter. All’s well that ends well though, with Walker kicking the goal to extend the Blues’ lead.
CORA’S CLASS
Irishwoman Cora Staunton single handedly kept the Giants in the game early, booting an early goal to give GWS the ascendancy early.
The veteran finished with two goals for the game, and could have had a third when she baulked around two Carlton defenders in the third quarter, showcasing her agility and speed.
It would have been an all-time classic of a goal, if not for a well-placed Vaomua Laloifi getting a hand to the ball on the goal line.
HOLY MACKRILL
Young gun Tait Mackrill was everywhere in the second half, booting two goals and nearly slotting a third.
Her heroics were nearly enough to get the Giants over the line, with a shot on goal curving tantalisingly close but was marked on the line by a Carlton defender.
SCOREBOARD
GWS GIANTS 4.7.31
CARLTON 4.8.32
GOALS
GWS Giants: Staunton 2, Mackrill 2
Carlton: Vescio 2, Brazzale, Walker
Attendance: TBC at Blacktown International Sports Park
INJURIES
GWS Giants: Nil.
Carlton: Nil.
BEST
GWS Giants: Staunton, Mackrill, Eva, Beeson, Parker
Carlton: Loynes, Stevens, Prespakis, Harrington, McKay
DAISY KNEE BLOW ROCKS DEES’ AFLW SEASON
– Chris Cavanagh
Melbourne is confident it can make an impact in AFLW finals with or without Daisy Pearce after the Demons’ star suffered a worrying knee injury in Saturday’s win over the Brisbane Lions.
In a cruel blow on the eve of finals, Pearce’s right leg buckled under her when she was tackled while trying to snap a left-foot goal in the opening minutes of the match at Casey Fields.
The 32-year-old immediately clutched at her knee before hobbling from the ground.
Pearce emerged from the rooms in the second quarter sporting a full-length knee brace and sat out the rest of the game.
The Melbourne captain will have scans on Sunday to determine the severity of the injury, but the Demons are hopeful of good news despite the worrying early signs.
“(It’s) just some knee soreness at the moment,” Melbourne AFLW coach Mick Steiner said.
“We won’t know more until we get a scan, but she’s up and about. She’s pretty optimistic. We don’t think it’s anything too sinister, but we’ll obviously get it checked out.”
Watch every match of the 2021 NAB AFLW Competition LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >>
Steiner said he was “definitely hopeful” Pearce could still feature in a final for the Demons next week.
However, Melbourne is confident that is could cover the loss of its skipper if she is ruled out for the season, having fought back strongly to knock off the ladder-leading Lions without Pearce on the field.
“She’s a critical part of our forward line but we showed the versatility,” Steiner said.
“A lot of our players were able to step up.
“It would definitely be a blow for us (if Pearce is sidelined), but the work she’s done to lead this team has enabled them to perform their roles when she’s not out there.
“We’d love to have her out there but we think we’re more than capable of being competitive with or without Daisy in the side.”
Daisy Pearce is unfortunately done for the day (knee soreness).
— Melbourne AFLW (@MelbourneAFLW) March 27, 2021
She came from the field in the first term + won't return for the remainder of the game.
ROOS CLINCH FINALS BERTH, END BLUES’ HOPES
– Ronny Lerner
A relieved North Melbourne AFLW coach Darren Crocker has hailed his gutsy backline for the important role they played in the Kangaroos’ thrilling one-point victory over fellow top-six side Fremantle at Arden Street on Saturday.
The result saw North secure its place in finals and ended the top-six hopes of Carlton, who would’ve had the chance to sneak into the finals if they beat GWS on Sunday and North had lost.
Kangaroos defenders Tahlia Randall, Danielle Hardiman and Aileen Gilroy all had to contend with injuries throughout the day, but gritted their teeth to keep the Dockers at bay.
“I don’t normally individualise, but … at one stage I thought our whole defence was going to almost be on the sidelines,” Crocker said.
“But to all those girls’ credit, they were able to find a way to get through the game and they all came back on and I think that’s a really good sign going forward.”
There’s a good chance North and Fremantle will meet again in an elimination final next week and Crocker described Saturday’s clash as “a great dress rehearsal”.
“To come up against a team that have been a really formidable force for a number of years now, they play a really high-pressure game of football which is going to be really similar to finals football,” Crocker said.
After dominating play for most of the day, North Melbourne did themselves no favours with their substandard efficiency up forward and, despite having 16 more inside-50s for the game (34-18) and 56 more disposals (248-192), saw their early 12-point lead turn into a six-point deficit in the final quarter.
The hosts grabbed back the lead when Daisy Bateman broke a run of three consecutive behinds with a converted set shot from 25m out, but they still had to contend with a few nailbiting moments late.
Fremantle’s Tiah Haynes missed a set shot with 1:10 to go and then a frantic error-riddled play on North’s last line of defence 30 seconds later led to a rushed behind which cut the margin to one point.
“North had quite a few chances to get further in front in that last quarter but we always thought we had a chance to attack with some space,” Dockers coach Trent Cooper said.
AMAZING ASHLEIGH
North Melbourne star Ashleigh Riddell saved her best performance for her club when they needed it most. She gathered a club-record 33 disposals as well as 19 contested possessions, nine clearances and seven inside 50s to be the driving force behind the victory.
HOUGHTON IN HOT WATER?
Dockers forward Gemma Houghton is sure to come under scrutiny from the MRO after blatantly driving a flying knee into Randall’s back after the Kangaroo took a mark in the final term. Houghton was nowhere near the marking contest, but decided to proceed with the knee anyway, in an unsavoury incident.
FREO SLOW OUT OF THE BLOCKS AGAIN
Fremantle made yet another slow start, with their seventh goalless first quarter from nine games this season. And while they’ve made a habit of gradually reeling in their opponents after quarter-time, they weren’t able to finish off the job on this occasion.
KEARNEY CONFUSION
In the second quarter, North skipper Emma Kearney was taken high by Freo’s Kiara Bowers, but the umpire inexplicably paid Bowers the free kick for holding the ball. So bemusing was that decision that Bowers’ teammate Roxanne Roux gave Kearney the ball, assuming the North star won the free kick. At one stage the Kangaroos trailed the free kick count by a whopping 18-2.
KANGAROOS 1.0 2.2 3.3 4.6 (30)
DOCKERS 0.1 2.1 4.2 4.5 (29)
BEST
Kangaroos: Riddell, Garner, Kearney, Randall, Bateman, Bannister, Hardiman.
Dockers: Bowers, Cain, Cuthbertson, Antonio, Haynes, Webb.
GOALS
Kangaroos: Abbatangelo, Bannister, Garner, Bateman.
Dockers: Houghton, O’Sullivan, Bowers, Antonio.
CATS BREAK THROUGH TO END ON A HIGH
– Greg Davis
Gold Coast has been handed the AFLW’s wooden spoon after falling to a 17-point loss to Geelong in an arm-wrestle to avoid the timber cutlery at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
Both teams took winless 0-8 records into the Round 9 clash and the Suns have followed Richmond (2020) as the second club to complete an AFLW season without singing the club song once.
The Cats exploded to a matchwinning 19-point lead at quarter-time after goals to Phoebe McWilliams, Richelle Cranston and Rene Carls with the last major coming after a scuffle when the Suns gave away a free kick and 50 metre penalty.
The Gold Coast came out with more intensity in the second term which was rewarded through a goal to Kalinda Howarth which narrowed the margin to 12 points by the main break.
The sides booted two goals each in the third term with Howarth and Sam Virgo hitting the scoreboard for the home side while Cranston and Olivia Barber maintained the breathing room for the Cats.
After a dour fourth term when the teams traded behinds, Rebecca Webster kicked a goal on the full-time siren to put icing on the cake for the Cats who celebrated like they had won a final.
GEELONG 3.2 3.3 5.3 6.5 (41)
GOLD COAST 0.1 1.3 3.3 3.6 (24)
GOALS
Geelong: Cranston 2, McWilliams, Carls, Barber, Webster
Gold Coast: Howarth 2, Virgo
BEST
Geelong: McDonald, Gardiner, Cranston, Webster, Crickkett-Grills
Gold Coast: Howarth, Drennan, Ahrens, Levi.
IN-FORM DEES BANK BITTERSWEET WIN
– James Mottershead
Melbourne will enter the AFLW finals on the back of wins against powerhouse sides Brisbane, Adelaide, and Fremantle, but is likely to be without its skipper.
The Dees won a thriller at Casey Fields against the Lions by two points to cement a home final next week against either North Melbourne or Fremantle.
But it came at a cost with Daisy Pearce suffering a knee injury early in the contest which will likely see her out for the rest of the season.
Pearce was sporting a full brace on her right knee when she re-emerged from the changerooms in the second quarter.
Entering the last quarter Melbourne found themselves 11-points down but rallied with goals from Tyla Hanks and Alyssa Bannan to snatch a memorable win.
It was another bizarre build-up to a game for the Lions who had a home game moved to Melbourne just a fortnight ago.
The Lions were forced to undergo COVID tests on Friday night after a case of the virus in the Sunshine State came to light.
Brisbane defender Breanna Koenen said players were confined to their hotel since landing on Friday.
“It was interesting doing the captain’s run in the halls of the Novotel, that was definitely a first for me,” she said on Channel 7.
“We take each challenge as it comes, and you’ve got to be adaptable this year.”
FINALS PERMUTATIONS FOR MELBOURNE
The win guarantees the Dees a home sudden death final next week against either North Melbourne or Fremantle.
The four points has the Dees sitting third on the ladder and a Collingwood win against Adelaide tomorrow would lock them into that spot and a home sudden death final against North Melbourne next week.
If Adelaide knocks off the Pies, it will leave Melbourne sitting fourth with a home sudden death final against Fremantle.
FINALS PERMUTATIONS FOR BRISBANE
The loss leaves Brisbane sitting second on the ladder and relying on the result from Adelaide and Collingwood’s game tomorrow to find out there they’ll finish.
A Collingwood win tomorrow against Adelaide would leave the Lions in second spot and give them a week off before a playing a home final to qualify for the Grand Final.
An Adelaide win could leave the Lions first, second or third depending on the margin.
Zanker’s record-breaking quarter
Eden Zanker’s move into the Demons’ midfield has been nothing but a resounding success, but she took her meteoric rise to new levels against the Lions.
In the first quarter the 21-year-old broke the AFLW record for most disposals in a first term, recording 14, one more than the previous record.
Zanker also recorded 253-metres gained in the quarter, before finishing the game with 25 touches.
DEMONS 1.1 3.1 4.1 6.2 38
LIONS 1.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 36
BEST
DEMONS: Zanker, Scott, L.Pearce, Mithen, Paxman, Hore, Hanks
LIONS: Anderson, Zvarc, Davidson, Hickie, Bates
GOALS
DEMONS: Scott 3, Paxman, Bannan, Hanks
LIONS: Davidson 2, Wardlaw, Hodder, Smith, Arnell
MIDFIELD GUNS HELP DOGS END ON A HIGH
James Mottershead
Kirsty Lamb and Ellie Blackburn owned the midfield to ensure the Western Bulldogs finished their season with a 13-point win over Richmond.
For a while everything felt back-to-front at Whitten Oval.
A Dempsey dominating, but not for the Bulldogs, instead Kate Dempsey for Richmond.
Katie Brennan and Monique Conti on the same ground as those in red, white, and blue, but for the first time the dynamic duo was attempting to bring about their downfall.
But it didn’t take long for things to start to feel normal again, as Blackburn and Lamb dominated, Brennan kicked goals, and Ellie McKenzie delighted.
It was a season of growth for both outfits after the Dogs cleared the decks and invested in youth, and Richmond entered its second season, clinching its first two wins in AFLW history.
The result spells the end of the 2021 chapter for both clubs who won’t feature in finals, but laid foundations for success to come.
Watch the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Every match of every round Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
Liftoff for Ellie McKenzie! 🛫#AFLW | #AFLWDogsTigerspic.twitter.com/WbecnTMOnB
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 26, 2021
AIR ELLIE
Last year’s number one draft selection McKenzie submitted a late entry into the AFLW’s mark of the year competition with a spectacular grab on the back of Brooke Lochland.
At the nine-minute mark of the second quarter Ashleigh Guest won a loose ball for the Bulldogs just forward of centre and sent it to the point of the 50 where McKenzie set herself.
The 18-year-old climbed onto the shoulders of Lochland and took the mark overhead.
It was a final highlight and cherry on top of the season McKenzie, 18, has had, in which she’s played every game and averaged 16 disposals while kicking four goals.
DAUGHTERS OF THE WEST
Brennan and Conti reminded the Bulldogs what they were missing after the Tigers snared the duo from the kennel for its inaugural AFLW season last year.
Richmond captain Brennan was dangerous and polished and pulled her side back into the game with two goals early in the third quarter.
Her three goals were enough to momentarily take to the top of the goal kicking list ahead of the rest of the weekend’s games.
Conti wasn’t at her prolific best but provided a spark around the ball Richmond so dearly needed to combat Blackburn and Lamb.
MORE VOTES FOR BLACKBURN
She’s one of the favourites for the AFLW best and fairest award and Blackburn did her chances no harm with a midfield masterclass.
It’s shaping as a four-horse race between Kiara Bowers, Bri Davey, Erin Phillips and Blackburn, and the Dogs’ skipper put on a clinic despite injuring her ankle in the first quarter.
Blackburn came from the ground at the 11-minute mark but returned on the stroke of quarter-time to finish the game with 20 disposals.
SHARPSHOOTING DOGS
It’s been a feature of their footy at times in 2021, but the Bulldogs’ kicking in front of goal once again separated them from an opponent.
Richmond didn’t kick poorly, in fact far from it, but it was the fact the Dogs were able to kick them from anywhere.
That included a 52-metre bomb after a run down the wing and two bounces from Kirsten McLeod in the first quarter.
And a Lamb banana on the run after a contested mark to all but end the game at the start of the last quarter was the icing on the cake.
BULLDOGS 4.0 5.0 5.3 7.3 45
TIGERS 1.0 2.1 4.2 5.2 32
BEST
BULLDOGS: Blackburn, Lamb, McLeod, Lochland, Brown
TIGERS: Brennan, Cordner, Dempsey, Hosking, McKenzie
GOALS
BULLDOGS: McLeod 2, Lochland, Morris-Dalton, Huntington, Lamb, Toogood
TIGERS: Brennan 3, Stahl, Wakefield
‘I’ve hated them’: Rising Star braces for fiery Sydney Derby
A big week is about to get even bigger for Greater Western Sydney young gun Kaitlyn Srhoj after she received this week’s AFLW Rising Star nomination ahead of her first Sydney Derby.
AFLW: Thrilling post-siren draw, Crows and Roos flex muscle
The top three of the AFLW in Adelaide, North Melbourne and St Kilda all had victories on a day that seperated the best from the rest. Plus the Suns and Giants played out a thrilling draw.