The Brisbane Lions have claimed their first AFLW flag after defeating the Crows 6.2 (38) to 3.2 (20) at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
The Lions overcame the heartbreaking loss of their captain Emma Zielke to a third-quarter hamstring injury to win their maiden premiership in front of 22,934 spectators on a glorious autumn afternoon.
The Crows had to deal with their own distressing loss in the third term, with stand-in skipper Angela Foley hobbling from the field after her left knee buckled dramatically in a marking contest.
It was a horror end to an uplifting week for the distraught Foley, after concussed captain Chelsea Randall chose her to lead the side in her absence.
In the emotion-charged "premiership" quarter, it was the Lions that settled first and pulled away after leading by just five points at halftime.
Their surge saw them kick three unanswered goals, the third of which came from Belle Dawes on the three-quarter time siren, to give them a lead of 22 points going into the final term.
While the Crows started the fourth with a quick goal to Eloise Jones after a 50m penalty, the Lions had done enough thanks to their third-quarter composure and the relentless defending of their backline.
Kate Lutkins was phenomenal in defence, chopping off the Crows' forward forays when they bombed the ball inside 50 throughout the afternoon while giving the Lions constant drive from their back half.
She finished with 18 disposals, took eight marks and had 10 rebounds, with Breanna Koenen a solid support.
Premier tagger Cathy Svarc was also among the Lions' best, as she kept Ebony Marinoff quieter than usual while winning 12 possessions herself.
ADELAIDE 1.0 2.1 2.2 3.2 (20)
BRISBANE 1.0 3.0 6.0 6.2 (38)
GOALS
Adelaide: Thompson, Ponter, Jones
Brisbane: Hodder 2, Wuetschner 2, Arnell, Dawes
BEST
Adelaide: Thompson, Hatchard, Considine, Marinoff, Allan
Brisbane: Lutkins, Anderson, Svarc, Koenen, Bates, O'Dwyer
INJURIES
Adelaide: Foley (knee)
Brisbane: Zielke (hamstring)
Crowd: 22,934 at Adelaide Oval
