FIERCE PREMIERS DOMINATE YOUNG CATS IN ADELAIDE

A RUTHLESS Adelaide dominated a young Geelong outfit to register their highest AFLW score as they collected their second win of the season.

Adelaide never looked threatened while racking up 10.6 (66) to Geelong’s 6.1 (37) at Norwood Oval.

While speedster Hannah Martin (leg) was a late withdrawal, Crows co-captains Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall dominated at opposite ends of the ground. Phillips (3.1) had eight possessions in the opening term as she ignited the Crows rush, booting two goals in four minutes, while Randall dictated in defence with anticipation, strong marking and relentless rebound. Jess Foley (183cm), who battled hard against the taller Erin Hoare (194cm) in the ruck, Ebony Marinoff and Anne Hatchard soon joined in with added run through the Crows’ midfield while StevieLee Thompson, Justine Mules and Chloe Scheer consistently bobbed up as willing targets forward of centre.

Both teams came in to the round 3 fixture with a 1-1 win-loss record but it was the Crows who brought the focus and physicality of a top side.

Adelaide dominated possession in the first half (135-86) and repeatedly flooded into attack with tight teamwork and pace to lead the inside 50s by 19-6 to the main break when they led by 29 points.

The Crows’ cohesion and tough tackling continued in the second half and, apart from two unanswered goals late in the third quarter to Danielle Orr and Kate Darby, Geelong had little to be enthused about in their first interstate trip.

The Cats, who had four players aged 18, could not cope with Adelaide’s fierce approach and cohesion although Richelle Cranston – back after a two-week suspension – Meghan McDonald, Sophie Van De Heuvel, Hoare and Madeline Keryk fought out the full four quarters.