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AFLW record no consolation for Hatchard

3 minute read

A new AFLW record for most touches in a game was no consolation for Adelaide's Anne Hatchard after the Crows suffered a shock loss to Brisbane Lions.

ANNE HATCHARD
ANNE HATCHARD  Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Media

Not even a record-breaking 34 touches could ease the pain of Adelaide's 13-point AFLW season-opening loss for Anne Hatchard on Saturday.

While the midfielder reckoned it was "pretty cool" to enter the record books in their away clash with Brisbane Lions, Hatchard said there was only one stat she was concerned with at full-time - a win.

"It is always good to get your hands on the ball a bit but in the end we didn't get the win so that is on my mind, not how my times I touched the footy," she said.

"It (record) is pretty cool coming from season one when I didn't really touch the ball much, but we did get the loss so there is a lot of learning points from this week."

Despite Hatchard eclipsing teammate Ebony Marinoff's 33 disposal record for most AFLW touches set last season, defending premiers Adelaide were stunned 5.4 (34) to 3.3 (21) by a new look Lions at Brisbane's Hickey Park.

Adelaide were down to just 21 fit players after experienced defender Courtney Cramey (groin) and midfielder Sophie Li (concussion) were the latest added to a lengthy injury list topped by co-captain Erin Phillips (knee).

Yet the Crows were still considered runaway favourites for their season opener after claiming two flags in the AFLW's first three seasons.

While gutted by the shock loss, Hatchard backed Adelaide to bounce back.

They next host St Kilda on February 16.

"Last year we lost our first game so we know we can come back from this," she said.

"I have belief in my teammates that in the next round we can get the wins from now on."

Certainly Crows coach Matthew Clarke wasn't pushing the panic button despite his horror injury list after Adelaide had their moments on Saturday, even dominating inside 50s 32-20.

"We got a bit of ball in there but we weren't able to capitalise on those opportunities," he said.

"(But) Anne's performance was outstanding. Clearly she has worked incredibly hard in the off season and put herself in a condition where she can play big minutes around the ball and she knows how to find it."

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