The class, polish and maturity of the Adelaide Crows carried them to an impressive 38-point victory against a combative and emerging West Coast Eagles team at Mineral Resources Park.

After the Eagles fought back boldly in the second term to trail by just five points at half-time, the Crows, who have been the most successful team in competition history responded with an irresistible third term that carried them to an 8.8 (56) to 2.6 (18) triumph.

Led by Erin Phillips, arguably the best player to have played in the competition in its infancy, Ebony Marinoff and Chelsea Randall the Crows unleashed a brilliant third term that saw them kick 4.3 while holding the Eagles scoreless.

That was the decisive moment, but the Eagles continued to persist, despite playing an energy-sapping brand of football in 35 degree heat and being two players down in the second half.

Maddy Collier, who had been solid before going off the ground after a head knock in the third term, and Brianna Green, hampered by an ankle injury sustained in the first half, made the assignment more difficult, but they refused to yield.

With eight players representing the club for the first time, they chipped away to the end and deserved to finish closer to the team that has won two of the three premierships that have so far been completed – the 2020 season failing to see a champion anointed when it was terminated at the preliminary final stage because of COVID-19.

Aside from team leaders Emma Swanson and Dana Hooker, the newcomers to impress included Aisling McCarthy through the midfield, Tayla Bresland, Shanae Davidson and Amber Ward in defence, and the club’s top draft selection in October, Bella Lewis, who played wing and midfield.

There was much to like despite the loss, including the development of Mikayla Bowen, the commitment of Parris Laurie in the ruck and the efforts of Niamh Kelly up forward.

DETAILS

Adelaide 2.1 3.2 7.5 8.8 (56)

West Coast Eagles 0.1 2.3 2.3 2.6 (18)

GOALS

Adelaide:  Phillips 2, Woodland 2, Marinoff, Jones, Considine, Biddell.

West Coast Eagles: Bowen, Kelly.    

BEST

Adelaide: Phillips, Marinoff, Randall, Allen, Metcalfe, Hatchard

West Coast Eagles: Hooker, Swanson, Bowen, N. Kelly, Bresland, McCarthy.

INJURIES

Adelaide: Gore (arm).

West Coast: Collier (head), Green (ankle).

Reports: Nil 

Crowd: 1,929 at Mineral Resources Park