Adelaide's 2026 campaign came to an end after losing to Melbourne by 18 points at Unley Oval on Sunday afternoon.
The Crows fought back in the final quarter but weren't able to capitalise on their chances inside-50, going down 3.11 (29) to 6.11 (47).
Melbourne bounced out of the blocks and probably should’ve led by more than 11 points at the first break.
With steady rain falling, the Demons dominated the territory battle.
Ryleigh Wotherspoon kicked goals on either side of the half-time break to extend her side’s lead to 31 points, but Ryan Davis’ side showed impressive fight, with a Keeley Kustermann goal narrowing the gap to 24 points at the last change.
Crows forward Caitlin Gould’s season ended in painful fashion in the third quarter when she fell awkwardly in a ground-ball contest.
The key forward grimaced in pain as she was helped to the bench between two trainers with a right foot injury.
Wotherspoon ensured there would be no Adelaide fightback with a spectacular goal to start the final term, the star Demon watching her effort from a tight angle in traffic bounce through as she fell to the turf.
SCOREBOARD
ADELAIDE 1.1 1.2 2.5 3.11 (29)
MELBOURNE 2.6 4.9 5.11 6.11 (47)
GOALS
ADELAIDE: Leuzzi, Kustermann, G Kelly
MELBOURNE: Wotherspoon 3, Hore, Fitzsimon, Bannan
BEST
ADELAIDE: Marinoff, Biddell, Bown, Egan, Charlton, S Allan
MELBOURNE: Wotherspoon, Hanks, Fitzsimon, Chaplin, Allen, Hore
INJURIES
ADELAIDE: Gould (foot)
MELBOURNE: Hore (shoulder)
LATE CHANGES
ADELAIDE: Nil
MELBOURNE: Olivia Purcell (managed) replaced in the selected side by Tahlia Fellows. Paxy Paxman (managed) replaced in the selected side by Alyssia Pisano.
