Adelaide overcame the absence of inspirational skipper Chelsea Randall to derail Geelong and put one foot inside the top four.
The high-stakes battle between fourth and fifth on the ladder more than lived up to expectations, as the Crows hung on to claim a thrilling two-point victory at Unley Oval on Friday.
The 4.6 (30) to 4.4 (28) result keeps the reigning Premiers – who lost Randall to an ankle injury in last week’s loss to Brisbane – in fourth (7-2, 28 premiership points) with one game to go in the regular season.
Nothing separated the two sides all game.
The Crows led by one point at quarter-time, three points at the main break and by a solitary point at the final change.
It was a game that featured intense pressure, lots of tackling and was a fierce battle throughout.
The Crows dominated the territory battle – evidenced by a 35-20 inside 50 advantage – but the Cats defenders held up well under a flurry of attacking raids.
Midfield guns Anne Hatchard (24 disposals) and Ebony Marinoff (23) did the heavy lifting for the Crows in the midfield, and received great support from Rachelle Martin (13), defender Stevie-Lee Thompson (15) and ruck Caitlin Gould (12 disposals, 20 hit-outs).
Danielle Ponter booted two goals, and could’ve had a third to seal the game, but lost the ball on her fourth bounce.
Georgie Prespakis and Amy McDonald had 23 disposals each while Chantal Emerson (19 disposals) provided plenty of drive out of defence.
ADELAIDE 1.1 2.5 4.5 4.6 (30)
GEELONG 1.0 2.2 4.4 4.4 (28)
GOALS
Adelaide: Ponter 2, Kelly, Whiteley
Geelong: Darby, Crocket-Grills, Scott, Scheer
BEST
Adelaide: Marinoff, Ponter, Hatchard, Thompson, Gould, Martin
Geelong: A McDonald, Prespakis, Emerson, M McDonald, Morrison, Webster
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Geelong: Nil
LATE CHANGES
Adelaide: Nil
Geelong: Nil
Reports: Nil
