Adelaide’s AFLW side set to play second match of double header at Adelaide Oval
Flag favourite Adelaide will find out today whether it will play its first AFLW home final against Geelong as part of a double-header after the men’s season opener at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
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Flag favourite Adelaide will almost certainly play its first AFLW home final – against Geelong – as part of a double-header at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
The Crows are expected to play for the right to contest the third AFLW grand final straight after the Adelaide men’s team begins its AFL premiership season campaign with a 4.05pm twilight encounter against Hawthorn.
The AFL will announce the AFLW preliminary final schedule early on Monday.
The Crows’ knockout final opponent was revealed on Sunday when Brisbane was upset by previously winless Collingwood by six points and Carlton held off a fast-finishing Western Bulldogs by three points.
After finishing top of Conference A following its crushing 10-goal win against Melbourne at Casey Fields on Saturday, Adelaide has been matched with the Cats, who finished second in the weaker Conference B.
In the other preliminary final, Conference B winners Carlton will host Conference A runners-up Fremantle, which won two more minor round games than its opponent.
The Crows will start red-hot favourites against Geelong, which won just three of their seven minor-round matches and had the worst percentage in the competition (65.5).
Adelaide boasted an equal competition-best 6-1 record, along with the Dockers, and easily the best percentage (212.9).
The inaugural AFLW premiers in 2017, the Crows, who played the grand final two years ago against the Lions as the curtain-raiser to the Q-Clash between Brisbane and Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium, have won six consecutive games after dropping their season opener to the Bulldogs by one point.
They have made no secret of their desire to play their richly deserved home final at Adelaide Oval.
This is despite having played their previous home games this season at Norwood and Unley ovals.
It is likely the match will be played immediately following the men’s match against Hawthorn but the AFL hasn’t ruled out playing it as the curtain-raiser.
“Hopefully we’ll play at Adelaide Oval if the powers that be can organise that,’’ Adelaide AFLW coach Matthew Clarke said.
“It would be an excellent opportunity to showcase women’s footy.
“They have played in a manner that suggests the product is worth getting behind. It would be a great opportunity.’’
But the AFL must satisfy its television broadcasters and ticketing arrangements at the Oval.
The Crows are expecting a sellout crowd for their blockbuster men’s clash with the Hawks.
Adelaide have two injury concerns from their last minor- round match against the Dees.
Co-captain Chelsea Randall copped a knock to the knee in the first quarter but finished the game and should be fine for the final.
Defender Anne Hatchard suffered a head knock in the third quarter and was taken from the field.
The club says it was just a precautionary measure and she should be cleared to play against the Cats.
Originally published as Adelaide’s AFLW side set to play second match of double header at Adelaide Oval
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