Our job the first two weeks was to win the games we could/should win.
Our first job here is to not get smashed. As has been pointed out, we don’t want to seen as the newbie team – we want to be legit competitive.
Adelaide did concede a fair score by Port in round one, before strangling Richmond in round two.
Percentage-wise, we are starting with a 31 point lead.
Minimal coverage:
For radio coverage, 5AA will be calling the game.
MORCS is off the list – straight swap for the suspended Jacques?
The reference to “scrimmage” below is apparently a many-teams reserves match (as during COVID, but worse when you only start with a list of 30).
Essendon defender Mia Van Dyke has hit a key milestone in her recovery from a stress injury to her hip.
The 18-year-old will transition to full training this week and has the potential to play in the team’s scrimmage match.
Head of Medical Services Megan Smith said Van Dyke’s progress is a credit to her diligent rehab.
“It’s fantastic to see Mia back out on the track and getting amongst training again,” Smith said.
“She’s worked incredibly hard throughout her rehab to ensure every box is ticked from a medical perspective.
“Given she gets through training this week, Mia should be in line to play in this weekend’s scrimmage.”
Co-captain Steph Cain will be a test for round three, with the midfielder suffering shoulder pain after landing awkwardly on it during the game.
Cain has been cleared of structural damage and is expected to train fully throughout the week.
Lily-Rose Williamson is also working towards starting to run this week as she progresses through her ankle injury.
| Name | Injury | Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Mia Van Dyke | Hip | Test |
| Steph Cain | Shoulder | Test |
| Lily-Rose Williamson | Foot | 6-7 |
50 games to be reached by Toogood and Woosh.
Well, this is not like-for-like…
ADELAIDE
In: L.Whiteley
Out: N.Allen (hamstring)
ESSENDON
In: L.Cutting
Out: K.Jacques (suspension)
Utility Lisa Whiteley is set to play her first game of this season, after being named in the team.
Defender Najwa Allen comes out of the side due to a hamstring injury sustained during last week’s win against Richmond.
Adelaide Head of Women’s Football Phil Harper said Allen’s injury was unfortunate but was confident in the Crows’ depth and Whiteley’s ability to fill the void.
“It is disappointing to lose Najwa as she was in great form in the first two games,” Harper said.
“However, it gives Lisa a chance after she has had a really strong pre-season and performed well in our trial games.”
The Crows return to Unley Oval for their clash with the Bombers and it will be the first time the two sides face off in the competition’s history.
Harper was expecting a strong battle against Essendon, with both teams eager to maintain their unblemished record.
“It will be a great game against Essendon, as we are both on two wins from the two games played so far,” Harper said.
“We have never played them before so it will be great to see the Bombers here in Adelaide.
“We hope to get a strong crowd for our first game at Unley against an undefeated opponent.”
Recruit Taylah Levy , ruck Montana McKinnon and winger Deni Varnhagen have been named as the emergencies.
We’re doing well when you can’t fit Barbs or Doonan into the team.
Elsewhere, Montana Ham returns from a foot stress injury after a month. If she remains fit, that’s a handy extra step up for the certainly-improved Bin Chickens.
Barba, at least, is in Adelaide as an emergency.
Tell them to keep their feet tomorrow if they don’t want a nice surprise 
A very difficult game this afternoon. Hope we put up a good show.
A red-bellied black snake on/around the field at Blacktown has delayed the start of that game. The end of this game will therefore run past the start of our game / the Casey-Dogs game.
Not clear if one of those games will be delayed or not have coverage of its opening minutes.
Currently predicting a 27 minute delay – the snake catcher has arrived.
Snake removed (it was tiny).
30 minute delay, exactly.
So are we a chance or are the Crows a vlass above?
We’ve played two top-class teams in our existence. They went 18-62 vs the Bears, and 9-50 vs the Dees.
Every other game was a win, or legit competitive.
Adelaide is probably still one of The Big Three.
After a bad start, we were legit competitive vs the other Big Team (Norf) in the pre-season.
MORCS not even an emergency, but is in Adelaide.
