Crows don’t need me to triumph: Randall
ADELAIDE captain Chelsea Randall is gutted to not be playing in Saturday’s AFLW grand final, but says the team does not need her to win and she will be cheering proudly on the sidelines.
Randall will miss the decider against Brisbane at Adelaide Oval on Saturday after being ruled out due to the league’s 12-day concussion protocols.
The three-time All-Australian collided heavily with Melbourne’s Eliza McNamara in first quarter of the preliminary final at Adelaide Oval on Saturday and did not return to the field.
Randall told Adelaide’s website this week that it was all about the club chasing its third women’s premiership, not her absence.
“As much as I am gutted, devastated, sad that I won’t be taking the field with my teammates in the grand final this weekend, the last six months, the last 10 games, it hasn’t been about me, it hasn’t been about one sole individual, it’s been about this group and just how special they are and the journey we’ve all been on together,” said Randall, a two-time Crows premiership skipper, alongside Erin Phillips.
“They don’t need me – they have proven that to themselves on the weekend that they can get the job done without me.
“I’ll be standing immensely proud on the sidelines alongside our fans and our supporters cheering on our girls to get across the line.
“It’s not about me this week, it’s a bloody exciting time for our football club.”
Randall missed the entire 2020 campaign after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament during pre-season.
Recalling Saturday’s incident, she remembered taking the football and hoping to absorb contact before continuing forward.
“But unfortunately we both collided in a nasty way,” she said.
“I just remember being on the floor with my mouth pretty bloody because I’d hit my jaw.
“I remember the trainers being around me and jogged off, and the rest was history.”
Melbourne beat Adelaide by 28 points when the sides last met, in Round 5.
Randall said she reinforced to her teammates they were ready for the challenge.
“Not that I have kids, but I can imagine what it would be like watching your young son or daughter drive away as they’re an 18-year-old, going off into the world and you’ve done everything you’ve possibly can to help them and support them,” she said.
“I guess I feel like a proud parent.”
Randall, who is hoping to have a bench role during the grand final, called on Crows supporters to come out in force. Grand final tickets went on sale on Tuesday afternoon at $10 for adults.