Adelaide’s Madison Newman and Ebony Marinoff tackle Brisbane’s Sophie Conway during last season’s qualifying final. Photo: AFL MEDIA
It’s not the Showdown. It’s not the Battle of the Bridge. It’s not the Western Derby, or a gender variation of Richmond-Carlton or Collingwood-Essendon. No. The greatest AFLW rivalry has nothing to do with geographical proximity.
Without question, it’s Adelaide versus Brisbane. No other teams have so fiercely contended against each other for the flag. And it’s not at all surprising that, approaching the season’s halfway mark, with the wheat separating from the chaff, the unbeaten Crows and reigning premier Brisbane sit Nos. 1 and 2 on the ladder.
The two top dogs meet to close out this weekend’s action, a Sunday main event at the Lions’ den in Ipswich. And that’s at least some fixturing that couldn’t have played out better. We could very well be watching a grand final preview.
The two teams have twice faced off in the season decider. Adelaide defeated Brisbane in 2017 to be the league’s inaugural premier, winning by a goal at Metricon Stadium in Queensland. Four years later, the Lions returned the favour, taking home the cup on the Crows’ home turf of Adelaide Oval, winning by three goals.
Just how dominant has each side been throughout the competition’s history? Consider this: There has yet to be an AFLW grand final in which at least one of the Crows or Lions hasn’t featured.
Fans remember well the heroics of the Crows’ Chelsea Randall and league legend teammate Erin Phillips in 2017, and the Lions’ Courtney Hodder and Kate Lutkins in 2021.
Brisbane has won the last four matches between the sides, dating back to round one of 2022 season six. But if last season’s results are anything to go by, this Sunday’s blockbuster will surely be another cracker.
The Lions last year knocked off their rivals twice, winning thrillers by slim margins – three points in round 8, then two points in week one of the finals, en route to winning their second flag.
That final produced some stellar moments. The Lions’ Orla O’Dwyer kicked one of the goals of the year, snapping truly from an impossible angle from the boundary line.
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The Crows’ Niamh Kelly refused to be outdone with a brilliant, quick bob and weave in and out of traffic before snapping home a go-ahead goal on the half time siren, while Eloise Jones added four majors on the day.
And Brisbane superstar Ally Anderson’s quick reflexes accounted for a crucial Lions’ goal. A Crows’ set shot in the dying minutes that went off hands and over the line proved the difference.
This season, stars of both clubs are leading the pack in individual stats. Adelaide’s perennial superstar Ebony Marinoff is averaging a scintillating 145.3 fantasy points per match, leading the league with 47 tackles and 97 kicks, and is fourth in average disposals with 29.
Marinoff’s damaging midfield foil, Anne Hatchard, leads the competition with 24 marks. Meanwhile, Brisbane’s Taylor Smith has lit up the scoreboard, kicking a league-best 11 goals already.
With Jones out for the season with an achilles injury, Adelaide’s Danielle Ponter has capably filled the breach, kicking eight majors, tying her with four other players for second.
Anderson’s 67 handballs are a league-best, her 33 clearances rank third, and her 28.2 average possessions are fifth best. As a team, Brisbane’s 281 points so far is the league’s highest total, while the Crows’ boast the No.1 ranking for fewest points conceded, just 102 to date.
“We know it’s going to be a very hot, contested game,” said Adelaide winger Madison Newman on Monday. “Obviously this weekend will be a massive test for us.”
And it’s those sort of tests, for both clubs, which continue to be the strongest showcase for the league. Sunday will be no exception.
