AFLW 2023: All the news and scores from the semi-finals

Adelaide has stormed into a fifth AFLW preliminary final, leaving Sydney in its dust with a second-half blitz on Saturday night – and North Melbourne should be worried.

Fired-up Adelaide stormed into a preliminary final in emphatic fashion on Saturday night, an inspired performance by Anne Hatchard propelling the Crows to a dominant 67-point win against Sydney at Norwood Oval.

As if still smarting from last week’s qualifying final loss to Brisbane, the rampant Crows took their frustrations out on the Swans to book a preliminary final spot against the Kangaroos at Ikon Park.

In the first meeting between the teams in the AFLW, the Swans were brave but outmatched by the minor premiers, who kicked eight unanswered goals to advance.

Hatchard’s game was something to behold, the prolific midfielder with 21 possessions in the first half and finishing with 37 touches and two goals.

Adelaide had winners across every line in the inspired display, Ebony Marinoff and Danielle Ponter busy on the ball, Jess Allan and Montana McKinnon dominant in the ruck, Zoe Prowse and Stevie-Lee Thompson superb down back, and they shared the load in attack with eight goalkickers.

Chelsea Randall and Jess Waterhouse celebrate at Norwood Oval on Saturday night. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos

SKIPPER SWOOPS

Adelaide dominated early possession, going inside 50 13 times to Sydney’s two, but struggled to find a way through the Swans’ resolute defending.

The Crows’ first goal was a fine example of Sydney’s desperation down back, Chelsea Randall setting up a snap in traffic by Thompson that fell short.

Hasty follow-up shots by Jess Waterhouse, Eloise Jones then Hatchard were spoiled before Randall swooped in to blast the ball home off the deck.

Despite effectively trapping the ball in their front half, the Crows’ lead was just eight points at quarter-time after Aliesha Newman booted Sydney’s first from its first foray forward.

That trend continued into the second quarter as Adelaide ratcheted up the pressure, but couldn’t break the game open.

The inside 50 count was 21-3 when Caitlin Gould marked strongly on the lead and converted 12 minutes in and when Hatchard snapped truly two minutes later, the Crows had the breathing space their dominance required.

Crows star Anne Hatchard was dominant against the Swans. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

LATE STRIKE

Just like the first quarter, the Swans kicked one against the run of play to keep themselves in it, Chloe Molloy pure class off the side of her boot.

When Prowse, who had been a rock in defence, was taken high by Montana Beruldsen deep in a back pocket with less than 30 seconds left in the half the deficit was a manageable 17 points for Sydney.

But Beruldsen kicked the ball away and the Crows surged forward from the 50m penalty.

A chain of handballs and a quick kick inside 50 ended up in Yvonne Bonner’s arms, the Irish star booting her second with the half-time siren sounding.

Swan Paris McCarthy is tackled by Crow Teah Charlton. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

PARTY TRICK?

Did Ponter mean the superb goal she kicked as Adelaide widened the gap on its opponent with a three-goals-to-one third quarter?

You know the footy gods are smiling on you when the ball is spiked out of a ruck contest directly onto your left boot and bounces through for a jaw-dropping major.

Unusual and brilliant and usual from Danielle Ponter!#AFLWFinalspic.twitter.com/VA9IwKpA0z

— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) November 18, 2023

SUPER SWANS

The lopsided result shouldn’t detract from what Sydney has been able to achieve in its second season in the competition.

Winless and wooden spooners in their first campaign, the Swans will take much away from a season where they won seven games, including an elimination final against Gold Coast.

Scoreboard

CROWS 2.2 5.5 8.5 12.10 (82)

SWANS 1.0 2.0 2.3 2.3 (15)

PHELAN’S BEST

CROWS: Hatchard, Marinoff, Ponter, Randall, Thompson, Kelly, J Allan, Prowse.

SWANS: Gardiner, Heads, Molloy, Tarrant, O’Sullivan.

GOALS

CROWS: Randall 2, Hatchard 2, Bonner 2, Waterhouse 2, Ponter, Jones, Gould, Newman.

SWANS: Newman, Molloy.

INJURIES CROWS: Nil. SWANS: Nil.

4,688 at NORWOOD OVAL

Originally published as AFLW 2023: All the news and scores from the semi-finals