Adelaide superstar Erin Phillips is primed to attack the AFLW grand final at full pace, with coach Matthew Clarke dispelling doubts over the veteran match-winner's fitness.
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The 35-year-old was slow to join in Wednesday's main training session at Adelaide Oval as she received treatment on her legs, sparking fears she is battling injury ahead of Saturday's premiership decider against Brisbane.
"She's carrying 35 years of professional sport," Clarke quipped on Friday when asked if the former WNBA basketballer was carrying an injury.
"But she just manages her body beautifully really.
"Clearly she's got some battle scars from a lifetime of pounding basketball courts but I think she'll be right."
Phillips looms as a key factor in her club's quest to claim three premierships in five years, having been adjudged best player on the ground in the Crows' grand final wins in 2017 and 2019.
Adelaide will be without inspirational skipper Chelsea Randall, who was concussed in a heavy collision with Melbourne's Eliza McNamara early in their preliminary final win.
Randall has since been cleared of any lingering effects from the knock but was ruled out of the game due to revised AFL concussion protocols demanding a 12-day break from playing after suffering a concussion.
The two-time premiership player has won widespread praise for her acceptance of the heartbreaking situation with Randall unwilling to set a bad example for grassroots footballers by attempting to challenge the rules in order to play.
"I'm at peace with everything that has unfolded," Randall said.
"I'm very much a believer that things happen for a reason. Sometimes we don't necessarily understand the reasons why at first.
"But I think in years to come I'll look back on this moment and in a weird way it's a gift to me and it's a gift to my players.
"I think in any organisation you want to be able to give all the tools and support to your team and when they're self-sufficient enough to be able to do it on their own ... I can imagine it will feel like being a proud parent.
"The gift that it's given me is how immensely proud I am."
Two-time premiership defender Angela Foley will captain the Crows in Randall's absence.
"It's obviously a bittersweet feeling not having one of my best mates not be able to run out alongside me," Foley said.
"I'm honoured to wear the (leadership) badge for the day and hopefully we can do her proud."
Australian Associated Press
