Crows, Blues lead the pack – but who will prevail?
Adelaide and Carlton have set up an AFL Women’s blockbuster after the teams scored second-round wins to remain undefeated.
The Crows women's team are on top of the ladder after two wins. Photo: Michael Errey / InDaily
The Crows will host the Blues in a clash of the competition’s form sides at Thebarton Oval on Sunday.
Adelaide will carry the momentum of their upset 25-point win over the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval on Friday and Carlton overcame a stern challenge from Greater Western Sydney to prevail by 13 points at Princes Park on Saturday.
“We can’t wait to get to Adelaide and face that challenge,” Blues coach Damien Keeping said.
“It’s a significant game.
“It’s a chance for us to travel for the first time … I think we’re ready for that experience.
“(The Crows) are great around the contest … they’ve shown they’re really up for the competitive side of the game – as are we – so I think it will be a great contest.”
Two rounds into the seven-round season, Adelaide and Carlton appear the teams to beat.
Led by co-captains Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall, rising star nominee Ebony Marinoff and cult figure full-forward Sarah Perkins, the high-scoring Crows are reaping the benefits of their bold approach.
For the Blues, Darcy Vescio is a formidable presence in attack, having kicked six goals from two games, while skipper Lauren Arnell and prolific onballer Brianna Davey have been impressive.
Melbourne breathed new life into their campaign in the second match of Saturday’s double-header at Princes Park after a sloppy first half.
The Demons were staring down the barrel of an 0-2 start to their season when they trailed Collingwood by 19 points at half-time, but ran over the top of the Pies, who remain winless.
“The positive thing is now they know what it feels like to be a winning team,” Melbourne coach Mick Stinear said after the 19-point win.
“The work rate wasn’t there (in the first half) … and then a number of players stepped up and then everyone started to get on the same page.”
The match was marred by an ugly incident which led to Collingwood’s Sophie Casey being reported after Melbourne’s Meg Downie was knocked unconscious and taken from the ground on a stretcher.
Melbourne’s Shelly Scott comes in to check on teammate Meg Downie. Photo: Mal Fairclough / AAP
Brisbane enhanced their premiership credentials with a 13-point win against Fremantle, the unbeaten Lions moving into third spot on the ladder behind the first-placed Crows and Carlton in second.
Tayla Harris and Jessica Wuetschner kicked two goals apiece for Brisbane to inflict a home loss on the Dockers, who remain winless.
-AAP
