Adelaide Crows secured a commanding 43-point victory over Collingwood at Victoria Park in a highly competitive match. Despite a late goal from Brit Bonnici, which spared Collingwood from recording its lowest score of the season, the final scoreboard showed Adelaide prevailing with a decisive 8.8 (56) to 2.1 (13) win.
The game began on schedule, despite concerns over a leaking water pipe that threatened to delay the start. From the outset, Collingwood’s defense fought hard to contain Adelaide, but the relentless pressure from both teams made it difficult for Collingwood to find a way through Adelaide’s defense. The Pies struggled in the midfield, and their attempts to move the ball forward often resulted in messy entries inside the 50.
Adelaide hit its stride in the third quarter as the game began to open up. The Crows dominated possession inside their forward half, and the pressure finally overwhelmed Collingwood’s defense. Taylah Levy, who had only scored one goal in her previous ten games, found the net twice in quick succession, putting Adelaide firmly in control of the match. Levy ended the game with a total of three goals as the Crows added four more in the final quarter, stretching the lead beyond seven goals.
Collingwood’s midfield, missing the influence of Bri Davey due to injury, was no match for Adelaide’s star trio of Ebony Marinoff, Anne Hatchard, and Maddy Newman, who controlled the flow of the game. Despite even contests in the ruck between Jess Allan and Sabrina Frederick, Collingwood was unable to capitalize on any momentum. Collingwood only managed its first goal in the final quarter when Lauren Butler took advantage of Adelaide’s pushed-up defense, scoring after a coast-to-coast run.
Adelaide’s victory gives them a 2.3 percent advantage over Hawthorn in the standings, a potentially crucial factor as the finals approach.