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Willing West Coast suffer third straight loss to Adelaide Crows

Headshot of Eliza Reilly
Eliza ReillyThe West Australian
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Isabella Lewis of the Eagles in action during the 2022 AFLW Round 03 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Adelaide Crows at the Swinburne Centre on January 22, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)
Camera IconMELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Isabella Lewis of the Eagles in action during the 2022 AFLW Round 03 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Adelaide Crows at the Swinburne Centre on January 22, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos) Credit: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

The Eagles were willing but hunger alone can’t swallow a premiership contender as an all-class Adelaide outfit claimed a 33-point win at the Swinburne Centre.

After going goal for goal in the first quarter, a still winless West Coast could only manage three points after quarter time as the Crows, 6.6 (42) to 1.3 (9), kicked five unanswered goals to chalk up their third straight win.

Off-season recruit Aimee Schmidt played a lone hand up forward, kicking West Coast’s only goal from a distance seven minutes into the first quarter in reply to Erin Phillips’ opener.

Erin Phillips celebrates a goal for Adelaide.
Camera IconErin Phillips celebrates a goal for Adelaide. Credit: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

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The Eagles went goalless after that, Adelaide constantly finding spares behind the ball to mop up West Coast’s forward forays.

For every ounce of effort West Coast poured into each contest, often it was sliced apart by the Crows precision kicking or Eagles errors at crucial moments.

The Game AFL 2024

West Coast’s midfield put in a much improved fight - even missing captain Emma Swanson through suspension - after being beaten the past two weeks.

Winger Mikayla Bowen (18 disposals, six marks), Aisling McCarthy (18 disposals, four clearances) and stand-in captain Dana Hooker (18, four clearances) who overcame an ankle injury at half-time, lifted at the contest.

Dana Hooker overcame an ankle injury.
Camera IconDana Hooker overcame an ankle injury. Credit: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

But despite winning the contested ball count 84-82 and centre clearances 4-2, Adelaide gained their advantage with cleaner skills around the ground.

“We came up against – in my opinion – the best team in the competition,” Prior said.

“So I thought our competitiveness and our want to compete and tackle hard and win hard the hard ball was pretty good.

“We just need to take more advantage when we get the ball in our front half, there were periods in the game where we had it trapped in, we just couldn’t hit the scoreboard.

“It’s something we need to keep looking at, which we are, to try and hit the scoreboard a little bit more and bridge the gap between us and the better teams in the comp.

“We’ll just keep chipping away until we get it right.”

The weight of 36 inside 50s also stretched West Coast’s defence as AFLW leading goal kicker Ashleigh Woodland cashed in on Eagles errors to finish with two goals despite the best efforts of Amber Ward.

Amber Ward of the Eagles is tackled by Ashleigh Woodland of the Crows.
Camera IconAmber Ward of the Eagles is tackled by Ashleigh Woodland of the Crows. Credit: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

When momentum was up for the taking, the Eagles’ lack of polish consistently stopped them mid-wrestle.

Adelaide power couple Ebony Marinoff (23 disposals, six tackles) and Erin Phillips (18 disposals, one goal) were well supported by winger Eloise Jones (20 disposals, one goal).

The Crows did however lose Anne Hatchard at three quarter time to plantar fasciitis flare-up.

Adelaide coach Matthew Clarke said the scoreboard didn’t reflect West Coast’s effort.

“I thought it was a really good contest,” he said.

“The score in the end was a healthy win but right throughout, it felt like a really even game. I thought West Coast brought really good pressure around the contest.”

West Coast coach Michael Prior’s call for a personnel overhaul last week produced some response.

Debutant Sarah Lakay competed well in the ruck, Ashton Hill was poised in defence after a lengthy injury layoff, Sophie McDonald worked hard down back and late inclusion Courtney Rowley didn’t shy away in the midfield.

But once again too few carried too much of the load as the Eagles continue to search for a four quarter effort.

Courtney Rowley of the Eagles and Sarah Lakay of the Eagles pose for a photo after being presented with their jumpers on debut.
Camera IconCourtney Rowley of the Eagles and Sarah Lakay of the Eagles pose for a photo after being presented with their jumpers on debut. Credit: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

The Crows will look to cement their premiership credentials when they host Melbourne in round four while the Eagles’ future is clouded after the WA government announced the border reopening would be pushed back beyond February 5.

SCOREBOARD

ADELAIDE 1.0, 3.2, 5.4, 6.6 (42)

WEST COAST 1.1, 1.1, 1.3, 1.3 (9)

Goals — ADELAIDE: J Mules 2, A Woodland 2, E Phillips, E Jones

WEST COAST: A Schmidt

Best — ADELAIDE: E Jones, E Marinoff, S Thompson, E Phillips, S Allan, J Mules

WEST COAST: M Bowen, D Hooker, A McCarthy, P Laurie, S McDonald

Injuries – WEST COAST: N Kelly (groin) replaced in selected side by C Rowley. ADELAIDE: A Hatchard (foot)

Umpires: E Glouftsis, T Bryce, M Scott. Crowd: 323 at Swinburne Centre

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