Adelaide completed its AFLW pre-season campaign with a 14-point loss to Melbourne at Unley Oval on Sunday. 

The Crows were slow out of the blocks, conceding the first five goals of the match to be faced with a 26-point half-time deficit. 

They roared back into the contest, kicking five goals in the third term to level the scores, but could not get over the line as Melbourne kicked away in the last quarter to secure a 5.8 (38) to 8.4 (52) victory.

Adelaide AFLW Senior Coach Matthew Clarke spoke to AFC Media after the game and delivered five key takeaways. 

Efficiency costs Crows 

When asked what the difference in the game was, Clarke was quick to point to his side’s inefficiency with the ball. 

The Crows got the better of the territory battle, registering nine more inside 50s and had one more scoring shot than the Demons - but failed to make it count, as they fell by 14 points. 

Clarke said the squad were aware of its shortcomings in this area, and were determined to improve ahead of the beginning of the season in a fortnight’s time.

“The thing that cost us in that first half was our efficiency, it was not at a high enough level,” Clarke said. 

“We were plus nine for inside 50s, had one more scoring shot, and still lost the game by 14 points, so that shows we have a bit of a way to go in that area of our game. 

“Take the first 15 minutes for example, we were really good in general play but could only kick four points, and unfortunately when you do that it gives the opposition a chance to get back into the game. 

“We’ll learn from where we didn’t quite get it right today, and hopefully improve in that area come Round One.”

Third quarter turnaround 

Faced with a 26-point deficit, and with no goals on the board, at the main break - Adelaide was in dire need of a third quarter response. 

The three-time premiers showed their class, rising to the challenge and producing a scintillating five-goal quarter to get themselves back into the contest. 

Clarke said it was his team’s ability to dial up its pressure that changed the game, with co-captain Ebony Marinoff leading the charge. 

“I think what really changed in that third quarter was our pressure, we really improved in that space after the half time break,” Clarke said. 

“I thought Ebony (Marinoff) really drove that through the midfield in terms of her tackle intent and ability to lift the team around her. 

“And then the way we used the ball was much more effective, and we managed to give our forwards some much better looks, which they capitalised on.”

Gould a strong presence up forward 

Star forward Caitlin Gould picked up where she left off from her 2024 All-Australian campaign, with a standout performance against the Demons. 

The Crows’ main focal point inside 50, she booted a team-high two goals, while providing a strong contest all day long. 

Clarke said the performance was a testament to the hard work she had put into her game in recent seasons. 

“Gouldy has had an outstanding couple of years, and that form has really flowed through to this pre-season and out there today,” Clarke said. 

“She is a great presence for us ahead of the ball, and at times today it probably took us a bit too long to give her those opportunities. 

“But her ability to impact the game, finish off her work in front of goals and help her teammates around her was very pleasing.”   

Goodwin impresses as on-baller 

Young gun Sarah Goodwin continued her development into a promising on-baller with an impressive showing. 

Utilising her speed and skill, Goodwin gave the Crows a different dynamic in the midfield, and complemented star teammates Ebony Marinoff and Anne Hatchard..

Clarke said it was impressive to see how quickly the 21-year-old was adapting to the new position. 

“Sarah is continuing to develop as a midfielder, she’s obviously still a very young player, but you can see she is learning that role very quickly,” Clarke said. 

“I thought today she was very strong across the four quarters, she impacted the game with her ability to get out and run, and used the ball very well. 

“It’s exciting seeing her continue to grow and add more weapons to her game.” 

Sights set on Round One

Adelaide’s pre-season trial match period has come to a close, with a number of areas for improvement ahead of its Round One clash against St Kilda on August 17. 

The Crows fell just short to both Port Adelaide (two points) and Melbourne (14 points) in the past fortnight, with Clarke identifying efficiency and pressure as two areas his team would need to improve. 

But while it didn’t manage to record a win, Adelaide got through both matches with a clean bill of health and did show some strong passages of play. 

“We probably would have liked to have played better in these two games, there’s been glimpses of the footy we want to play, but we probably weren’t quite consistent enough,” Clarke said. 

“So it’s fair to say we will have to improve in the next fortnight before our Round One match against the Saints. 

“What I will say is, although these two trials haven’t gone the way we would have liked, the whole of the pre-season has been really strong. 

“We are fit, we are healthy and ready to roll - so we’ll park the disappointment of the last two weeks and look ahead to an exciting start to the new season.”

Adelaide begins its AFLW season against St Kilda on Sunday, August 17 at RSEA Park, before returning home for its first home game against Geelong on Sunday, August 24. 

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