Adelaide kept its finals hopes alive with a hard-fought, 10-point win against Gold Coast at Unley Oval on Saturday afternoon.

In a see-sawing contest in week two of the League’s Pride Round, the Crows’ pressure was too much for the Suns to handle, especially in the final few minutes, as Adelaide came away with a 10.3 (63) to 7.11 (53) victory.

Sisters Grace and Niamh Kelly, as well as first-year Crow Chloe Bown starred, while the Crows’ defence stood up in the absence of key back Chelsea Biddell to a hamstring injury.

Senior Coach Ryan Davis spoke post-game and delivered these takeaways.

Crows’ composure under pressure a standout

Adelaide remained composed when the pressure lifted, absorbing the Suns’ momentum before responding when it mattered.

Davis praised his side’s ability to stay settled and execute despite the challenge.

“It was a great win,” Davis said.

“They got a couple of goals - it went a little bit of tit for tat there - but our ability to shore up our defence, stay composed under the pressure, and then be able to finish up on the right side of the scoreboard was fantastic. 

“It was imperative for us to be able to break their chains. They're obviously a very fast team, they play with a lot of excitement, a lot of handball chains.

“We're pretty comfortable with our tackling pressure and our contest is at the moment, so it was just the ability to re-focus the group on actually nailing our tackles, sticking those tackles, and turning the pressure up, which we did.”

First-year Crow Chloe Bown knocks door down for Rising Star nomination

Draftee Chloe Bown continues to enjoy a stellar first AFLW season.

Not only did the 18-year-old kick a goal with a minute remaining to seal the win, but she was instrumental in the midfield, finishing with 25 disposals, six tackles, and nine clearances.

“To watch her have another 25 and one, she was pivotal,” Davis said. 

“She's so strong, she's so level-headed above her shoulders. 

“I’m certainly quite biased in the Crows camp, she was outstanding.”

Bown’s average of 14.1 disposals and 3.3 tackles across 10 games has coincided with a more permanent move into the Crows’ on-ball brigade after beginning her career as a half-forward.

Davis said Bown had put in plenty of work rounding out her game to prepare for the move.

“Probably working on a little bit of the defensive side of her game, sort of that transitional stuff, because as we know it is a highly transitional game at the moment,” Davis said.

“It was about making sure she had the run under her legs, the education in and around what where to look to, where to run, and the patterns, and making sure we're setting her up to succeed when she did make the transition in there.

“She’s made that seamlessly, so we're looking forward to more Chloe in the midfield.”

Irish sisters star

Irish sisters Grace and Niamh Kelly starred for the Crows against the Suns, combining for five goals.

The pair wowed the crowd in the first quarter when Niamh intercepted a Suns’ pass inside their attacking-50, before taking off with pace.

She fed a handball over the top to Grace, who then gave it back to her, before Niamh stormed inside-50, passed the ball back to her sister who then finished off with a goal on the run.

Davis said Grace and Niamh were incredible to coach with their dashing speed and ability to hit the scoreboard.

“They're so infectious with the way they play, their speed and their creativity is unreal,” Davis said.

“Their mum is over (from Ireland) at the moment, so I think we might be just trying to keep her over here for the rest of the year, or even getting back earlier next year. 

“I think the way they bounce off each other, the run, the carry, the flare - it's just awesome to watch.”

An update on Maddi Newman

The Crows’ victory was soured by a suspected knee injury to utility Maddi Newman.

Newman was carried from the ground in the third quarter and did not return.

Davis said they were holding out hope for Newman, with the 25-year-old set to have scans on her knee early next week.

“(It is) a knee (injury) of some sort,” Davis said.

“We're going to get an MRI and scan all that during the week.

“Fingers crossed for Mado. She's a competitive person for us in and around the Club, but we'll find out more during the week.”

Finals chances still alive

Adelaide’s aspirations of reaching the finals have a glimmer of hope following the win against Gold Coast, as it improved its win-loss record to 5-5.

And with just two minor round games remaining - against North Melbourne (top) away and Melbourne (second) at home, Davis said players were up for the challenge.

“We go again (next week),” Davis said.

‘We're under no illusions of where we sit or where we sit on the ladder and what this means for our season.

“We'll enjoy this win. It's a great belief-building win again, and then we'll get stuck into some big dogs in a couple of weeks.”