ADELAIDE put on an attacking masterclass to dispose of newcomers Geelong by 29 points at Norwood Oval on Sunday.
The Crows were red-hot from start to finish, running out winners 10.6 (66) to 6.1 (37) in front of a crowd of 4433 people.
Prolific midfielder Ebony Marinoff's 33 disposals set an AFLW record, Anne Hatchard was outstanding with 27 touches and a goal, while 2017 AFLW best and fairest Erin Phillips was influential with three goals and 19 disposals.
The Crows (2-1) stay within touch of unbeaten duo North Melbourne and Fremantle in Conference A, while the Cats (1-2) remain third in Conference B.
The Crows controlled possession (254 disposals to 170), had a massive 25 more inside 50s than the Cats (41 to 16) and won contested possessions by 27.
Phillips produced a beautiful set shot from close to the boundary to open the scoring.
The Crows led by eight points at quarter-time, before Olivia Purcell hit back for the Cats early in the second term.
But it was only a temporary swing of momentum as the Crows booted four straight goals to take a sizeable 28-point lead into the main break.
An opportunistic goal from Deni Varnhagen pushed the Crows further ahead before Danielle Orr and Sophie Van De Heuvel gave the Cats a faint sniff heading into the last quarter.
The Crows sealed the deal with Hatchard's brilliant snap and Chloe Scheer's second goal ensuring they would take the four points.
The hero
Adelaide midfielder Ebony Marinoff wrote her name into the record books with the most disposals in an AFLW game. Marinoff's 33 touches eclipsed the previous mark of 30 set by North Melbourne's Emma Kearney in the round six game of the 2017 season against Brisbane, when Kearney was with the Western Bulldogs.
Who's that?
Crows youngster Anne Hatchard continues to revel in her new midfield role. Hatchard had 27 disposals, including 18 handballs, and was crucial in the Crows winning the centre clearances. She also did a great job filling in as a ruck alongside Jess Foley.
Marquee magic
Erin Phillips imposed herself on the contest as only the 2017 AFLW best and fairest can. Phillips contested the centre bounces before moving forward and playing out of the goalsquare. She finished with three goals and 19 disposals.
Did you see that?
It was a tough afternoon for the Cats, but forward Danielle Orr produced a goal of pure class in the third quarter. Picking the ball up off the ground on the 50m arc, Orr took a bounce and let fly with her left foot from hard in the right pocket. The ball never looked like missing.
Say what?
"Very strong, particularly the start, the contest and then the second quarter, both outstanding. We let in six goals, so I'm being really selfish, I'd say perhaps we could've stopped a couple of those, but overall, very happy."
- Adelaide coach Matthew Clarke
"Adelaide played fantastic footy and for periods, we were able to compete, but for other periods, they just found us off the park. We'll have a look and learn at it, that will be a great learning experience for our group."
- Geelong coach Paul Hood
What’s next?
The Crows face a season-defining game when they host Conference A heavyweight Fremantle in Darwin at TIO Stadium on Saturday night, 8.05pm ACST. Meanwhile, the Cats are back home when they entertain Carlton at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday, 4.45pm AEDT.
ADELAIDE 2.2 6.4 7.5 10.6 (66)
GEELONG 1.0 2.0 4.0 6.1 (37)
GOALS
Adelaide: Phillips 3, Scheer 2, Jones, Forth, Varnhagen, Hatchard, Thompson
Geelong: Clifford 2, Purcell, Orr, Van De Heuvel, McWilliams
BEST
Adelaide: Marinoff, Phillips, Hatchard, Randall, Foley, Varnhagen
Geelong: Cranston, Clarke, McDonald, Keryk
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Geelong: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Baigent, McPhee, Simmonds
Official crowd: 4433 at Norwood Oval
