ONLY one thing is stopping these teams from reaching the 2022 AFLW Grand Final: Each other. Adelaide has had a simpler run, earning its preliminary final spot thanks to a strong home and away season and third minor premiership, while Fremantle piled on 69 points against North Melbourne to progress through to the second week of the post season.

Last time they met

In round eight these sides faced off in an armwrestle which saw the Crows break through as they dominated territory in the second half. The Dockers worked hard to apply pressure, laying 72 tackles to the Crows' 38, but conceded a massive 43 inside 50s through which Adelaide had plenty of looks at goal.

Game plans

Adelaide has been happy to concede centre clearances this season, instead forcing the turnover on the outside and controlling possession from there. The Crows will also be without two key players due to suspension. Winger Eloise Jones and defender Najwa Allen will be watching from the sidelines hoping they will have the opportunity to line up in another Grand Final. Fremantle, however, has been a high pressure side and often like to force chaos footy. Interestingly, against the Kangaroos on Saturday the Dockers showed off an ability to play a neater possession game, laying the fewest tackles of the season with just 47, and using the ball at a season high efficiency of 66.5 per cent.

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Head to head

Adelaide and Fremantle have played off five times in AFLW history, with the former taking the points in four of those. The Crows average 37.8 points against the Dockers and Erin Phillips has kicked seven goals in their five encounters — more than against any other opponent.

These sides have never faced off in a final, and notably the Crows have an 80 per cent win rate in finals across the past six years, while the Dockers have won two of their four finals.

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Players to watch

Anne Hatchard

Without Jones on the wing, Hatchard's outside game becomes even more important for Adelaide. Her run and spread often sees her finding separation from her opponent and presenting as an option for her teammates with the ball. This year Hatchard is averaging 24.5 disposals, 6.9 marks and 4.6 inside 50s.

Gabby O'Sullivan

When Fremantle was up against it early against the Kangaroos on Saturday, it was O'Sullivan's run, strength and attack that turned the tide for the Dockers. O'Sullivan had 18 disposals, six clearances and a career-high seven inside 50s in their qualifying final win.

Dream match-ups

Caitlin Gould v Mim Strom

Both rucks bring something different to their side, but can be equally impactful. Gould is strong in the air then pushes forward to hit the scoreboard, averaging 9.7 hitouts and kicking a career-high four goals this year. Meanwhile, Strom has an impressive game sense, with the ability to fire off quick handballs to clear the ball and does well to position herself in the back half to support the defence, averaging 13.2 hitouts and 2.6 intercepts this year.

Sarah Allan v Aine Tighe

Two tall players who have proven their prowess at ground level this year. Tighe was crucial in attack for the Dockers on Saturday, both as a target and in her efforts to retain the ball inside 50, while Allan has been arguably the best key defender in the competition over the past few years. Allan will need to prevent Tighe from setting up teammates like she has expertly done this year, and Tighe needs to prevent Allan from controlling the game through her clever positioning and intercepting.

Season so far

Adelaide

The Crows have dropped just one game this year—by a solitary point—but have been challenged by sides that have been able to use the ball quickly and efficiently in attack. Adelaide's most glaring weakness is its ability to take its chances in front of goal, converting from just 32 per cent of its shots.

Fremantle

Recapturing the attacking game style we saw from them early in the season, the Dockers broke the record for most individual goal kickers with ten and handed North Melbourne its biggest loss in AFLW history. This came off the back of Janelle Cuthbertson's addition to defence, registering 12 intercepts on return from a fractured cheekbone.

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ADELAIDE is off to its fourth Grand Final after registering a controlled win over a heartbroken Fremantle side on Saturday afternoon.

As anticipated, it was a tight match as both sides looked to close down space and prevent any clean ball use from their opponent, with the Crows ultimately prevailing 6.4 (40) to Fremantle's 4.2 (26) at Adelaide Oval. 

Early in the game it was the stars who came to the fore, Erin Phillips for Adelaide, Ebony Antonio for Fremantle. Phillips opened the goal kicking, winning the ball inside 50 and splitting the Dockers' defence to snap around her body, while Antonio covered the ground beautifully gaining plenty of ground with each of her disposals. 

CROWS v DOCKERS Full match coverage and stats

Adelaide dominated territory for much of the first three quarters, getting plenty of ball close to goal, but the Dockers' defence stood up strongly on the goal line to limit their opportunities to score. 

The Crows' defensive line was also vital, setting up beautifully behind the ball and often presenting as an impenetrable wall as Fremantle desperately attempted to win some ground, but Adelaide's interceptors mopped up all day. 

Captain Chelsea Randall led the way in that respect, leading the field with 12 intercepts, including a stunning contested mark back with the flight of the ball as Fremantle was surging. 

Who kicked it? 
In the second quarter a free kick for the Crows set up a set shot from superstar Erin Phillips 40 metres from goal. A beautiful kick from Phillips looked to have gone through, but in fact had bounced on the goal line and come back into the field of play. With all players stopped after assuming a goal, Woodland struck, kicking a casual goal around her body for her 20th of the season - the first AFLW player to kick 20 in a season. 

An interceptor's dream 
This season Adelaide has built its game style off the back of intercepting the ball and bringing its defence high up the ground, controlling territory in the process, and it was no different against Fremantle on Saturday. Led by Chelsea Randall with 12 intercepts, the Crows' backline read the ball beautifully as Fremantle tried to desperately exit defence, and then stood very strong in the one-on-one. Sarah Allan looks a certainty to win another All Australian guernsey, with her ground level pressure immense throughout the game. 

What are you doing there? 
In the final round last year defender Emma O'Driscoll was moved into the forward line to play a defensive forward role for her Dockers and despite taking a shot on goal was unable to convert. In the final quarter of this preliminary final, she once again found herself in the attacking arc and after winning the ball at ground level, straightened up to slot her first ever AFLW goal and give her team a sniff with time still on the clock. 

What's next? 
For the Dockers, that's season over after an impressive season up against some tough obstacles. Adelaide will look toward a fourth Grand Final appearance, at home against Melbourne on Saturday afternoon. 

ADELAIDE                   2.1     4.1     5.3     6.4  (40)  
FREMANTLE                 1.0     3.0     3.0     4.2  (26)  

GOALS  
Adelaide: Woodland 2, Phillips, Gould, Thompson, Ponter 
Fremantle: Hyde, K. Antonio, Runnalls, O'Driscoll 

BEST   
Adelaide: Marinoff, Thompson, Phillips, Randall 
Fremantle: E. Antonio, Strom, Miller, Cuthbertson 

INJURIES   
Adelaide: Nil 
Fremantle: Nil 

Reports: Nil  

Crowd: 5,452 at Adelaide Oval 

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