The Melbourne Demons will have to fight in their AFLW semi-final match-up against the Adelaide Crows without their leading goal-kicker after they went down to the Brisbane Lions on Sunday.
Leading goal-kicker Eden Zanker was led off the field after her head collided with Eleanor Hartill’s shoulder, with the Demons star ruled out of next week’s game under concussion protocols.
The Lions booked their spot in the preliminary finals with a 13-point qualifying final win over the Demons.
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Meanwhile, Adelaide defeated St Kilda by 44 points in an elimination final on Sunday.
Chelsea Randall returned to action after a lengthy concussion break since round five and was immediately an instrumental asset for the Crows.
Darcy Guttridge of the Saints and Chelsea Randall of the Crows. AFL Photos via Getty Images
“It was great to have Chelsea back and she got through the game really well,” said Adelaide coach Matthew Clarke.
“She impacted the game off half-back and she was really important in not only getting hands on the ball, but with her leadership and her ability to set us up, which was kind of handy back there.”
Brisbane was able to come out victorious for the first time in the AFLW over Melbourne in a final.
The two sides were battling for an express ticket to the preliminary final, as well as a week off.
The Dees suffered a huge blow as their leading goal-kicker Zanker was helped off the field in the first term after an awkward collision in which her face made contact with Hartill’s shoulder.
Eden Zanker of the Demons. Getty
She was ruled out of the game and placed on concussion protocol.
“[She] seems to be doing OK, which is the number one thing,” head coach Mick Stinear said.
“Disappointing to lose a key member for the team for a large part of the game, but the aim will be to get to work as a team, and hopefully give her an opportunity to play again this season.”