The GIANTS will look to solidify their spot inside Conference A’s top three when they take on fellow finals hopefuls the Adelaide Crows at Richmond Oval on Sunday. 

The Details
Adelaide Crows v GIANTS
Sunday, March 15 at 3:10pm AEDT
Richmond Oval, Adelaide
Entry is FREE 

The Game
After smashing Richmond by 45 points in Wagga Wagga last weekend, the GIANTS will be looking to continue their hot form against the out-of-form Adelaide. With Alyce Parker shaking off a tag to claim 10 votes from the coaches, and both Cora Staunton (four goals) and Rebecca Privitelli (two goals) hitting the scoreboard, the GIANTS will be looking to win back-to-back matches for the first time since 2018.

The GIANTS are yet to beat Adelaide in three matches; however they did claim a draw against the then-reigning premiers in round four, 2018. The Crows have lost their last two matches and were thumped by 42 points by the Kangaroos on Saturday. Adelaide has been battered by injuries to key players but could be boosted by the return of superstar Erin Phillips. The two-time competition Best and Fairest missed their loss to the Kangaroos with general soreness, but showed positive signs in her return in round four. Should Phillips return, they’ll receive a much-needed boost as they sit a win behind the GIANTS on the ladder with three rounds to go. 

A GIANTS victory would put them two games and a handy percentage clear of the Crows with two games to go which could set up a huge clash between the GIANTS and Geelong at GIANTS Stadium in round seven.

The Key Points

1. Cora Staunton’s four goals against Richmond on Saturday was a club record. Phoebe McWilliams and, more recently, Rebecca Privitelli have also kicked three goals in a game, but neither has been able to back it up with another big haul. Should Staunton get loose against the Crows, she could be in for another bag that would propel her towards the top of the leading goalkickers table.
2. The GIANTS will need to deal with Adelaide’s deadly duo of Anne Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff. The two-time premiership players have been in fine form for the Crows this season, with Hatchard averaging an incredible 26.4 dispoals (the most in the AFLW), 4.8 clearances (third) and five marks per game (fourth). Marinoff has been equally as potent, averaging 23.6 disposals (equal second in the AFLW), 3.6 clearances and 5 marks (equal second) per game in 2020.
3. If the GIANTS want to beat Adelaide, they’ll need to start well. Adelaide’s last quarters have been among their best so far in 2020. While their last two weeks have seen them dip in this area, they stormed home against St Kilda in round two with a three-goal-to-nil final term and held off Geelong in round three with a two-goal-to-one final term. However, when the Crows have been outplayed in the first half they’ve struggled to get back into the game. 

Who to Watch
Jess and Sarah Allan. While the Allan sisters may have played against each other during the pre-season, this will be the first time that the GIANTS’ Jess and the Crows’ Sarah have played against each other for premiership points. Jess Allan had one of her best all-round games for the GIANTS on Saturday, winning 14 hitouts and collecting 11 disposals in the ruck. Sarah Allan, who is two years older, has been a rock for Adelaide down back and even stood in as captain as the Crows were without a number of their leadership group. Both players wear the number 39 guernsey for their respective clubs and, given that Jess often pushes forward for the GIANTS, the two could line up on each other at some stage on Saturday.

How to Watch
The match will be broadcast live on 7Mate in NSW andthe ACT, and can be watched on Foxtel or the Kayo App with a subscription.
All AFL Women’s matches are streamed live via womens.afl and the AFLW Official App.