Courtney Cramey knew her team had the will to win despite being under siege early in Sunday’s AFLW clash at Thebarton Oval.

The Crows were held to their first scoreless quarter ever in the opening term of the top-of-the-table match against Carlton.

The Blues kicked with the aid of a strong breeze and looked far more dangerous with their forward forays, building a handy 12-point advantage by the midway mark of the third quarter.

But Cramey said the Crows never lost faith in their ability to peg back the deficit.

“After Bec (Goddard’s) address at half-time, we just kept going,” Cramey said.

“That goal from Sally Riley in the third quarter gave us that momentum, especially against the breeze.

“We went into the fourth with the wind and we had our confidence up. So we kept pushing.

“We knew if we kept doing what we needed and wanted to do that we would get there in the end.”

AFLW Match report: Crows v Blues

The much-hyped clash was nerve-wracking and particularly physical in blustery and wet conditions at Thebarton. It wasn’t pretty, but it was tough, contested footy from two teams desperate to win.

Cramey was a standout in defence, particularly in the opening half, and finished with seven tackles and four marks alongside eight disposals.

“Cramey’s a player I don’t think gets the attention and the respect that she deserves,” Crows women’s coach Bec Goddard said of the defender post-match.

“She’s not flashy, she just goes back and does her role.

“She’s the general down back. She’s used to being a midfielder in South Australian state footy so she’s had to change the way that she prepares and how she measures her performance each week, and she’s doing such a great job.”

Cramey credited the Crows’ defensive unit as a whole for holding a dangerous Carlton forward line, led by AFLW leading goalkicker Darcy Vescio, to just two majors.

“They’re a respected opponent,” Cramey said.

“They have some great players and good leadership from (captain) Lauren Arnell, so we knew we had our work cut out for us today.

“Heather Anderson’s run off the back and Talia Radan’s ability to lock down key players, week in, week out, has just been amazing.”

Another vocal crowd of 9,006 packed into Thebarton Oval despite the windy, drizzly conditions.

The sun finally came out in the last quarter, and Cramey said she could feel the crowd willing them over the line in the tense final term.

“It was loud out there! Every contest you could hear the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ and it really drives you on,” she said.

“The support has been amazing. To see all the young girls and boys running around enjoying the footy at a local ground is just unbelievable.”


The team enjoyed a special session with AFL legend Michael Long in the lead up to Sunday’s game. Long spoke of his football journey and of some of the challenges he faced on and off the field during his illustrious career.

“He was amazing,” Cramey said.

“He’s a legend in his own right as a footballer and off the field as well, so to hear about his story and where he’s come from was really special for the girls leading into the game.”

The combined SA and NT Crows team is particularly appreciative of Long’s work with footballers up north.

“We’ve had the opportunity when we’ve been up to the Territory to stay in the Michael Long Learning & Leadership Centre,” Cramey said.

“What he’s doing for the Northern Territory community is just truly amazing.”

The Crows’ focus has already turned to their big interstate trip to Western Australia to take on Fremantle next Sunday.

“We don’t see it as a challenge, travelling,” Cramey said.

“We’ve won on the road already so we’ll just stick to what we know and go from there!”