Crows thrash Cats in AFLW prelim final

The Crows kept the Cats to the lowest-ever AFLW score with a stunning 11.7 (73) to 1.1 (7) win in Sunday's preliminary final at Adelaide Oval.

Geelong didn't score until the 13th minute of the last quarter when their only goal came from a free kick and subsequent 50-metre penalty.

Adelaide, eyeing a second flag in the competition's third season, will carry hot favouritism into next Sunday's home premiership decider against Carlton, who downed Fremantle by 36 points in Saturday's preliminary final.

"It was a pretty comprehensive performance in all phases," Crows coach Matthew Clarke said.

"The defence was really good ... across the board, lots of strong performances, so it was pretty rounded."

Before 13,429 spectators, Adelaide's big guns fired - co-captains Erin Phillips (22 disposals) and Chelsea Randall (15 touches, one goal) were influential.

Midfielder Ebony Marinoff was superb with two goals and a game-high 27 possessions. She also laid 10 tackles and set the ball rolling for the Crows with the opening goal inside four minutes.

Adelaide's Danielle Ponter (three goals) and Chloe Scheer (two goals) were ever-present attacking threats and ruck Jessica Foley was busy with 19 disposals, 16 hitouts and a goal.

A host of Crows including Anne Hatchard (19 touches), Angela Foley (17 disposals) and Marijana Rajcic (14 possessions) were prolific ball-winners.

Adelaide's pressure was immense, laying 83 tackles and prompting Geelong coach Paul Hood to describe the Crows as the clear competition benchmark.

"Adelaide are a magnificent team," he said.

"We have set up our team to hopefully develop for the long term.

"And the sooner you understand where the yardstick is, and the clearer you understand that, the more chance you have got of getting there."

Geelong's Meghan McDonald (16 disposals) and Melissa Hickey (15 possessions) battled gamely in a grim game for the league's newcomers.[[['

Australian Associated Press