HISTORY awaits the Blues when they run out in today’s AFLW Grand Final at the Adelaide Oval.

Carlton will head into the game as the underdogs, when they come up against Premiership favourites Adelaide.

Regardless of the result, the Blues will be able to walk away from the game with immense pride, rising from the hardships of the 2018 season to show the rest of the competition exactly what they are capable of.   

However, there’s no doubt one thing is at front of mind: bringing a historic AFLW Premiership to Ikon Park.

Details: Adelaide Oval, Sunday, March 31, 12:30pm (ACDT)

THE GAME IN FOCUS:

The Crows have been nothing short of dominant after dropping only one game (Round 1) for the entire 2019 season.

An ability to score freely and quickly has been the highlight of the Crow’s game plan, with 17 of their 26 players scoring throughout the season.

The danger will of course come through the Crow’s star midfielder Erin Phillips, who has produced a season to remember. The inaugural AFLW Best and Fairest winner has averaged 21.9 disposals and kicked nine goals this year.

Carlton will also come into the Grand Final quietly confident of being able to cause an upset in enemy territory.

The Blues finished the season strongly to win four of their last five games, capped off with last week’s defeat of Fremantle. The win - which came in emphatic fashion - to make the team’s very first Grand Final kept their historic run alive.

In his first season as senior coach, Daniel Harford’s style has seen the players improve as both individuals and as a team. There’s no better proof than Brianna Davey, Madison Prespakis, Kerryn Harrington and Gab Pound all being named in the All-Australian squad for this year.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET:

Carlton fell 13 points short to the comeback Crows in a high-scoring affair last time the grand finalists met at Ikon Park.

In a game of momentum swings, the Blues were eventually overrun, finishing 7.2 (44) to the Crows 9.3 (57).

The ability to stick with the Crows for the majority of the game, however, will no doubt fill the girls with confidence heading into the Grand Final.

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Final run before the big dance. #BoundByBlue

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BLUE FOCUS:

The Blues’ midfield of Madison Prespakis, Bri Davey and Sarah Hosking have all been sensational over the second half of the season, competing fiercly in the middle and giving the forwards ample opportunity to score.

However, the one piece of the midfield puzzle which has often been forgotten about is the work of ruck Alison Downie.

Unlucky not to receive All Australian selection, Downie has hit a new level of form this year, averaging 21 hit outs and 10 disposals.

Her connection with the midfielders will be massive in the Grand Final, and could be crucial to the Blues’ success.

GET EXCITED ABOUT:

Everything. Absolutely everything.

In the Grand Final showdown, the Blues will look to use the underdog status to their advantage and hit the ground running against an impressive opposition.

BLUE VIEW:

The mix of the more experienced players like Katie Loynes, Tayla Harris, Sarah Hosking and Jess Hosking will have to lead from the front if the Blues are to achieve ultimate glory against the Crows.

Expect plenty of pressure around the contest and plenty of fast footy.

Carlton were successful in keeping the ball locked in their forward half against the Dockers, and they will need to bring the same intensity and intent they demonstrated in their preliminary final win.