Collingwood co-captain Steph Chiocci’s late snapshot flew wide as the Magpies recorded their first loss of the AFLW season in a five-point defeat to Adelaide.
The Magpies were searching for a fourth straight victory and gave the Crows a huge scare at Victoria Park on Sunday.
But the reigning premiers overcame some wayward kicking and a late surge from the home side to hang on for a 2.9 (21) to 2.4 (16) win.
Collingwood almost claimed a share of the spoils despite being outplayed for most of the day.
The Magpies lost the inside-50 count 36-15 but peppered the goals in the final few minutes.
Chloe Molloy kicked a point and Ruby Schleicher managed just one behind from her two set-shots within range, before Chiocci squandered a last-ditch opportunity that would have levelled the scores.
Chiocci’s hurried right-foot kick around the body missed to the near side.
A relieved Adelaide survived, posting a third consecutive victory after its season-opening defeat to Melbourne.
The Magpies had just one of the first 10 inside-50s of the game but held a narrow lead at quarter time, with Molloy booting the only goal of the first term.
The Crows hit back in the second quarter, kicking 2.2 to 0.0 with goals to Ashleigh Woodland and Abbie Ballard giving them an 11-point advantage at the main break.
Mikala Cann’s goal dragged the Magpies closer during the third term and Niamh Kelly kept the Crows in front with a desperate lunge in the defensive goal square.
But the Irish defender dislocated her right shoulder in the process and played no further part in the game.
Neither side managed a goal in the final quarter wet conditions made scoring difficult.
History was made in the Crows’ win when three female field umpires — Eleni Tee, Gabby Simmonds and Jordyn Pearson — officiated in the same AFLW fixture for the first time.
Tigers pip Bombers
Richmond overcame an early deficit to win a thrilling Dreamtime game against Essendon at North Port Oval.
The Tigers held out a surging Bombers by two points — 3.8 (26) to 3.6 (24) — in a clash that was on the line right into the final minute in wet and windy conditions.
Monique Conti had 15 possessions and laid nine tackles She also kicked a telling goal from a brilliant snapshot near the boundary line early in the third quarter.
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It seemed the Tigers had done enough to win with a six-point lead at three-quarter time and kicking to the southern end with the wind in the last term.
But the Bombers threw everything at them in a bid to snatch a late victory. When Amber Clarke’s quick kick bounced through the unguarded goal, it cut the Tigers’ lead to just one point with 68 seconds left.
At the crucial centre bounce, significantly, it was Conti who won the ball and the clearance to spear a pass to Sarah Hosking that virtually iced the game.
Hosking had played a critical role in the Tigers’ triumph, limiting Essendon’s brilliant midfielder Maddie Prespakis to just 11 possessions while collecting 14 touches herself.
AAP
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
