Adelaide fell to Geelong by 11 points at Unley Oval on Saturday, despite a final-quarter fightback.
The Crows were looking to celebrate star defender Sarah Allan’s 100-game milestone with a win at Unley Oval on Saturday, but struggled to match it with Geelong’s high-powered onball brigade after quarter-time.
The Cats led by as much as 32 points and had to hold their nerve late, before prevailing 8.9 (57) to 7.10 (46).
Crows captain Ebony Marinoff starred for the home side throughout and was instrumental in a late charge.
Grace Kelly booted back-to-back goals early in the last quarter and India Rasheed sliced the margin to 11 points with four minutes remaining.
But Geelong's Bryde O’Rourke took a brilliant goal-saving mark in the square inside the last minute as Mick Stinear’s side held on for its first victory against Adelaide in its history.
Adelaide led by four points at the first break, courtesy of a well-crafted Rasheed goal, but Geelong hit back hard in the second term.
Led by Prespakis with 10 possessions for the quarter, the Cats’ midfield snatched the momentum as the visitors dominated the disposal count 92-53 for the term.
Playing against her old side, 2019 premiership Crow Chloe Scheer broke a run of five behinds with Geelong’s first two goals, and when Jacqueline Parry kicked truly to finish a brilliant piece of end-to-end play the Cats led by 15 points at half-time.
Alarm bells were ringing for Adelaide when Rachel Kearns made it four goals in a row with the first of the second half, but the Crows dug deep with majors to Caitlin Gould and Niamh Kelly slashing the margin to 10 points.
Kelly’s goal was a top-shelf stunner, the Irish star showing off her trademark pace and taking three bounces before slotting a brilliant running goal.
But Geelong’s midfield answered the call once again, Nina Morrison and Becky Webster impressing, with Julia Crockett-Grills booting back-to-back goals as the visitors finished the third quarter full of running to extend their lead to 26 points.
The Crows will look to return to the winners' list when they face Brisbane at Brighton Homes Arena next Sunday at 4.53pm (ACST).
SCOREBOARD
ADELAIDE 1.1 1.3 3.6 6.10 (46)
GEELONG 0.3 3.6 7.8 8.9 (57)
GOALS
ADELAIDE: G.Kelly 2, Rasheed 2, Gould, N.Kelly
GEELONG: Scheer 2, Crockett-Grills 2, Parry 2, Moloney, Kearns
BEST
ADELAIDE: Marinoff, Newman, Egan, Biddell, Bown, Charlton
GEELONG: Prespakis, Morrison, Bowen, Webster, O’Rourke, Emonson
