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Crows captain out of AFLW Grand Final

The Adelaide Crows will be without captain Chelsea Randall for their AFLW Grand Final against Brisbane on Saturday, after the defender was ruled out from selection due to the league’s concussion protocols.

Apr 13, 2021, updated Apr 13, 2021
Erin Phillips with injured captain Chelsea Randall just before a preliminary final win against Melbourne. Photo: AAP /Matt Turner

Erin Phillips with injured captain Chelsea Randall just before a preliminary final win against Melbourne. Photo: AAP /Matt Turner

Randall suffered a heavy knock and was taken from the field after colliding with Melbourne’s Eliza McNamara in the first quarter of Adelaide’s preliminary final victory over the Demons.

The three-time All-Australian played no further part in the game and was diagnosed with a concussion, and under the league’s protocols can’t be selected for a period of 12 days.

Adelaide Crows Head of Women’s Football Phil Harper said Randall would be “a very good chance” to play if the newly introduced concussion protocol was not in place

“If there was a loophole we could get through we’d try and do it, but also we understand that these protocols are put in place by medical experts,” Harper told reporters on Monday.

“It’s for the long term health and safety of the players, and so whilst I think the protocols suck at the moment, they don’t really because medical experts have put them in place for the health and wellbeing [of the players].

“I want to be with Chelsea when she’s 60 and we can look back and reminiscence on some premierships she won with the Adelaide Crows.”

Harper said Randall had passed a concussion test on Monday.

“I don’t think it’s a bad concussion, but it’s a concussion,” he said.

Despite the injury blow, the Crows remain favourite to beat the Lions at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday and take home their third premiership in five years.

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The fixture is a rematch of the inaugural AFLW Grand Final, which saw the Crows come out on top 35-29 at Metricon Stadium.

Melbourne based singer-songwriter G Flip has been announced as the pre-game entertainment for Saturday’s match.

The State Government has also announced free public transport to and from the match, although the Gawler and Outer Harbour/Grange lines will be fully closed due to the Gawler rail electrification project.

-with AAP

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