Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney play out thrilling draw in AFLW

IN tough conditions, nothing could separate Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney on Sunday with the two clubs playing out a draw. But what does it mean for the finals race?

Justine Mules tries to get a kick forward for the Crows. Picture: AAP Images

IT was a game which deserved a result but the glass was half empty for both GWS and Adelaide as they played out the AFLW’s first draw of the year in torrential conditions at Blacktown on Sunday.

With both teams going into the match at the bottom of the ladder on just one win each, the two points will not help their push to finish in the top two and secure a grand final berth with just three home-and-away games remaining.

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GWS midfield gun Alicia Eva summed up the feelings of both teams immediately after the match, which finished 2.7 (19) to 2.7 (19).

“I feel deflated,” Eva said. “That game was so hard-fought by both teams, it deserved a result.”

Eva was relentless and again one of the best with 22 disposals and six tackles. But both teams will look back at opportunities lost.

The Giants will look to a dropped mark from Jacinda Barclay straight in front of the goals in the closing seconds of the third quarter. Had she marked and goaled, their lead would have been 15 points at the last change instead of nine.

Tanya Hetherington and Sarah Perkins react to the final siren. Picture: Getty Images

The miss left the door open for last year’s premiers and they almost walked through it when Ruth Wallace goaled in the opening seconds of the last quarter to close within three points. The Crows kicked another four behinds to lead by a solitary point before a rushed behind to GWS locked the scores.

Adelaide won the territorial battle and will look to a host of missed chances, including Jenna McCormick, who booted 0.4.

“It feels like a loss,” Adelaide coach Bec Goddard said. “We had it in our half a lot but couldn’t get it through the big sticks.”

Goddard’s opposite number, Alan McConnell, shared her sentiments and thought his side, which led for most of the game, should have claimed the win.

“When you have 10 minutes as poor as ours were in the last quarter then you pay the price,” he said.

Originally published as Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney play out thrilling draw in AFLW