Crows midfield ball-magnet Ebony Marinoff looking forward to challenge of facing Melbourne at Casey Fields on Saturday

Ebony Marinoff on the influence of Andrew McLeod, transforming into a leadership role and upping her contested disposals.

Adelaide’s ball magnet Ebony Marinoff is embracing the balance between contested and uncontested possessions and tackles that she’s brought to her game this season as the Crows head into the final minor round of the AFLW.

The Crows must beat against their Conference A rivals Melbourne — a team they are yet to defeat in the AFLW — to guarantee themselves a place in the preliminary final on March 23.

If they lose, they will be relying on other results and their percentage to extend their season.

Marinoff said the team, which is currently sitting on top of their conference with five wins and one loss, was looking forward to facing the Demons at their home in Casey Fields on Saturday afternoon.

“It’s always a tough contest against them, but we’re all really looking forward to the challenge

ahead,” she said.

In round three, the 21-year-old set an AFLW record for the most disposals when she collected 33 against Geelong.

On Sunday of her 24 disposals — a tally she shared with co-captain Erin Phillips — she collected 15 contested possessions: the most for her this season. She laid 10 tackles.

Crow midfielder Ebony Marinoff puts pressure on Giants’ Alyce Parker during their round six clash at Unley Oval. In the game, Marinoff collected her greatest amount of contested possessions — 15 — so far this season. Picture: AAP Image/Sam Wundke

She said she’d been working on adding balance to her game in the midfield, particularly given last season she would occasionally have more tackles than disposals.

“Last season I was tackling a lot and probably didn’t have as much support as I do this year, with the likes of Hannah Martin, Chloe Scheer and Anne Hatchard coming through the midfield,” she said.

“It’s pleasing because I’ve managed to get on the outside as well as the inside.

“I’ve never felt more part of a team.

“Week by week, we’re playing with 21 contributors and the girls missing out are also pushing for spots.”

After the Crows stirring win over the Giants on Sunday, head coach Matthew Clarke praised Marinoff for taking on more of a leadership role and she said that was a part of her game she had been developing.

“I am only 21, but have been in the system, this is my third season and I’ve got girls coming through … I’m told to own that midfield and let girls know what to do and where to be,” she said.

“But in saying that also learning off them and I’ve worked closely with the leadership group and that’s something I strive to be in the years to come, rounding my game out with leadership as well.”

Ebony Marinoff talks to Andrew McLeod before Sunday’s game against Greater Western Sydney at Unley Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed

Marinoff said the side’s midfield coach, Crow legend Andrew McLeod, had helped her deal with the tagging she been handed by opposition teams.

“I have been tagged four out of the six games this season and he’s been working closely with me with that,” she said.

“I was tagged the first quarter of the game on the weekend and I was able to break that.

“He says to me: ‘Put the blinkers on and just embrace it’.

“He was tagged for 200-odd games in his career, and Erin Phillips is tagged every week as well, but she’s able to hold them in contest when she’s in the forward line, but with me tagged in the midfield, it’s how to run them and where to take them.

“So I’m embracing the tag, like Bungee’s told me to.

“It’s something I haven’t been quite used to, but I’m embracing that the opposition respects me.”

Marinoff’s contested possession percentages so far this season:

Round 1: 50 per cent (10/10)

Round 2: 53 per cent (9/8)

Round 3: 41 per cent (14/20) *This week set an AFLW record for most disposals at 33*

Round 4: 36 per cent (8/14)

Round 5: 50 per cent (11/11)

Round 6: 60 per cent (15/10)

Originally published as Crows midfield ball-magnet Ebony Marinoff looking forward to challenge of facing Melbourne at Casey Fields on Saturday