Marinoff Guides Crows to Showdown Victory
It was Adelaide’s class that shone through at Alberton Oval on Saturday night. The Crows were able to just outclass the valiant Power 5.5.35 to 7.7.49.
The Crows were led by Ebony Marinoff (29 disposals, five clearances and one tackle) and Jessica Allan (two goals and 13 disposals). Sachi Syme (18 disposals and five tackles) and draftee Shineah Goody (15 disposals, one goal and four tackles) were amongst the Power’s best.
Adelaide set the tone early through Brooke Tonin, who kicked the first goal of the game, and her career, after Eloise Jones hit her lace out.
It was Port Adelaide’s defenders who kept them in the game in the first quarter, with Cuthbertson, Goody, Brooksby and Borg all ending the first term with multiple rebound 50s.
The quarter also saw Sachi Syme star for the Power forward of centre, ending with a team high of five disposals. Syme also won a centre clearance and two inside 50s.
Meanwhile, for the Crows, the experience of Marinoff and Hatchard were able to combine for 14 disposals and four inside 50s.
Port in the second quarter, however, caused problems.
Superstar debutant Shineah Goody built on her five disposals at quarter-time when she received a handpass and waltzed inside forward 50 to kick a wonderful first goal of her career.
Levicki would gift Sarah Allan when she infringed her in the ruck contest. Allen dully converted for her first ever goal.
In a quarter that saw periods when both teams had moments, Port were lead by Abbey Dowrick and Ashley Saint from the middle off the ground. Moloney continued to add to her solid first term.
For the Crows, Zoe Prowse joined Marinoff and Hatchard, and ended the half with nine disposals and three inside 50s.
However, with moments left in the quarter, Houghton was able to add to her name to the majors list and cut the margin to just eight points at the main break.
The Crows dominated clearances and inside 50s for the half. Adelaide also had more of the ball, offering problems for the Power if they didn’t heed the warnings.
When Biddell kicked a goal midway through the third, the Power needed to respond. The Crows had all of the play in the third term, and a margin of 15 points.
The Power, after struggling for most of the quarter, were able to enter into the forward 50. Houghton won the ball from the stoppage, and through a series of passes, the Power were able to find Abbey Dowrick running back to goal. The Power refused to go away; a margin of 10 points was the difference.
Both teams were inaccurate in the third quarter, as the Crows kicked 1.3 to the Power’s 1.1. The inaccuracy would sting more for the Crows, who were so dominant.
Ebony Marinoff was taking her game to the next level in the third. Marinoff added 11 disposals and two clearances, as she swung the momentum back toward the Crows.
Adelaide continued toward victory in the last. Allan again won a free kick in the goal square for a ruck contest. This time Matilda Scholz was responsible, getting the Crows ruck high.
The ruck contest was an interesting battle. Port Adelaide won the hit-outs, yet lost the clearances heavily. Adelaide’s midfield experience was able to win out in the end.
In game 50, Ashley Saint would stand up for the Power to kick a goal. Saint had a solid performance to three-quarter-time. However, her fourth quarter was her best, when she had six of her 15 touches.
Eloise Jones did what she does best when she laid a forward 50 tackle to set up her goal. At 15 points, Port would have to have a massive nine-and-a-half minutes to fight back.
It wasn’t be for Port, the Crows too good in the end. Ebony Marinoff won the Showdown Medal.
Port Adelaide: 1.1 3.2 4.3 5.5.35
Adelaide Crows: 3.1 4.4 5.7 7.7.49
Goalkickers:
Port Adelaide:
Dowrick, Goody, Houghton, Saint, Teakle,
Adelaide:
Allan, Biddell, Hatchard, Jones, Tonin
Best:
Port:
Syme, Goody, Saint
Adelaide:
Allan, Hatchard, Marinoff