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It was a tough match with both sides in it right up to the end.

BRISBANE:   1.0   2.1    3.3   4.5   (29)ADELAIDE:   2.1   2.7    4.9   4.11  (35)

By WILL ZWAR

The Adelaide Crows have made history winning the inaugural AFLW Premiership against the previously undefeated Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

In what has been a breakthrough season for the competition, it was fitting that the final came down to the last minute with the Crowns able to hold off a fast-finishing Lions side.

Adelaide Crows co-captains Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall led from the front, with Phillips adjudged best-on-ground collecting a match high 28 disposals along with two goals and seven marks for the contest. 

Randall nullified Brisbane marquee forward Tayla Harris, keeping her without a touch until late in the third quarter.

Crows midfielders Courtney Cramey (23 disposals), Georgia Bevan (13 disposals) and Kellie Gibson (12 disposals) led the midfield, to help the Crows to a 224 to 201 disposal advantage. 

Ebony Marino, 19, also put in an exceptional effort, with 20 disposals and six tackles.

Earlier, a fast start saw Gibson slot the first goal for the Crows with a slick 40m snap just 20 seconds into the game.

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Erin Phillips was best on ground.

From there the Crows maintained possession in their half and despite a quick early response from Lions forward Jessica Wuetschner, it was Deni Varnhagen’s goal deep in the forward pocket that kept the Crows in front in the opening quarter.

Brisbane did hit back in the second term after they drew a downfield free kick when Sabrina Frederick-Traub was hit late on the 50m arc, allowing Wuetschner to tighten the scores from the forward pocket.

The margin seesawed after half time, with Phillips extending the Crows lead before a spectacular volley from Frederick-Traub brought the margin back to seven points, but it was Phillips again who responded some minutes later to give her side the best chance at the premiership.

Lions marquee Harris booted a goal in the final term giving them some momentum but despite the Crows being kept goalless, it was too little too late as they went down by six points.

WRAP-UP

GOALS
BRISBANE: Wuetschner 2; Frederick-Traub; Harris
ADELAIDE: Phillips 2; Gibson; Varnhagen

BEST
BRISBANE: Hildebrand, Zielke, Ashmore, Kaslar, Bates, Frederick-Traub
ADELAIDE: Gibson, Phillips, Anderson, Cramey, Randall

INJURIES
BRISBANE: Koenen (ankle)
ADELAIDE: Anderson (shoulder)

UMPIRES: Rodger, Bryce, Cheeve

OFFICIAL CROWD: 15,610 at Metricon Stadium

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It was a big win for the Crows.