Sunday, January 9, 2022. AFLW Round One. Adelaide v Brisbane.
On that day, 19-year-old Crow, Teah Charlton, ran out onto Noarlunga Oval against the Lions, playing only her 12th AFLW match in a role across half-back.
A lot has changed in the 1710 days since then. Today, Charlton is 24, enjoying a new role playing in Adelaide’s speedy midfield, and recently celebrated her 75th AFLW match.
But what she couldn’t have known on that day back in 2022 was that it would be the last time Adelaide would beat Brisbane for four seasons.
Currently, the Lions are on a seven-game winning streak against the Crows, but Charlton – older and wiser – knows there’s nothing quite like defying history.
She says a complete four-quarter performance will be the key to breaking through against Brisbane at their home ground at Brighton Homes Arena on Sunday evening.
“Looking at our past games this year, I don’t think we’re really doing much wrong,” Charlton said.
“It just comes down to moments and I think this weekend, we need to bring that four-quarter performance to get the win done; pressure and contest is where it will be won.”
The challenge against Brisbane presents another opportunity for a young and evolving Adelaide side.
A team that so far has featured six new players this season, five of which had never played at AFLW level before.
“What our new players bring is a lot of excitement to our team and it’s been rejuvenating for some of us older, more experienced players,” she said.
For Charlton, a consistent pre-season fuelled by the right nutrition and prioritising rest and recovery, has helped her build into more midfield minutes.
“I feel like I’m really starting to come into my own and feeling really confident in the midfield knowing that I’m capable of being a good midfielder for the team,” she said.
“I had a really strong pre-season, didn’t miss a lot of training, which was good, and that has put me in good stead.”
And that’s showing on the stats sheet; in Round Three, she recorded her career-best disposals with 20 against West Coast. In fact, across the board, her 2026 season averages are above her career-averages including in marks, tackles and clearances.
Five games into the season with the Crows sitting 2-3 and 12th on the ladder, Charlton said there were plenty of positive signs to give the group confidence that good results will come.
“I think what I’m learning is that everyone in the team is growing in confidence each week and with even more consistency in game time with us all playing together, we’ll put out that four-quarter performance,” she said.
Sunday, September 20, 2026. AFLW Round Six. Adelaide v Brisbane.
The history books are there to be rewritten.
Adelaide takes on Brisbane at its Brighton Homes Arena this Sunday, with the match to start at 4.35pm ACST.
Fans can watch the match live on Fox Footy, Kayo and 7Mate Adelaide.
