Adelaide's flag defence alive after downing Blues
Adelaide have finally returned to the form of their 2017 AFLW premiership triumph in a convincing home victory over Carlton.
After a slow start to this season, the Crows' finals hopes are still alive after Saturday night's 8.7 (55) to 2.8 (20) win at Norwood Oval.
Ruth Wallace celebrates a goal for the Crows.
Photo: AAPThe 35-point victory puts them just two points behind the top three sides on the ladder.
But injury concerns for Erin Phillips took the shine off a stellar night for Adelaide, the co-captain and star forward spending the second half on the bench nursing a sore quad.
The game was won for the Crows in the second quarter, when the home side kicked four goals to the Blues' one.
Momentum turned in the third, but the Blues were unable to convert on the scoreboard despite many more inside-50s and an impressive work rate from forward Tayla Harris.
The first goal of the second half came from Adelaide six minutes into the last quarter, sealing their win in front of a crowd of 5970.
The co-captain's injury made way for a number of young Crows, with Jasmyn Hewett, Eloise Jones and Ruth Wallace all making their mark.
Adelaide's Marijana Rajcic wraps up Carlton's Katie Loynes.
Photo: AAPThe Crows travel next week to Darwin to take on Fremantle, while Carlton face Melbourne at Ikon Park.
In Perth, Fremantle's AFLW premiership hopes are all but over after they suffered an 18-point loss to GWS.
The Giants booted four consecutive goals from late in the first quarter to early into the third term to set up the 6.3 (39) to 3.3 (21) win in front of 2571 fans at Fremantle Oval.
The loss leaves the Dockers a win and significant percentage adrift of second spot with only two rounds remaining in the season.
Only the top two teams qualify for the decider.
Fremantle (two wins, three losses) would need to win their last two games - against Adelaide and Carlton – plus rely on other results to fall their way to have any chance of reaching the grand final.
AAP
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