Crows outmuscle Port to claim AFLW Showdown honours

Adelaide's Niamh Kelly won the Showdown Medal as the Crows defeated Port Adelaide in the AFLW. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

Irish speedster Niamh Kelly has played a starring role as Adelaide kicked off their AFLW premiership push with a 30-point thumping of arch-rivals Port Adelaide.

The Crows kicked six consecutive goals out of halftime to run away with the convincing 8.10 (58) to 4.4 (28) victory at Norwood Oval on Saturday.

In her second season with Adelaide after a trade from West Coast, Kelly claimed the Showdown Medal as best afield with 28 disposals, six clearances and a goal.

Prolific ball-winners Ebony Marinoff (31 touches, seven clearances, one goal) and Anne Hatchard (29 disposals) were also prominent.

Crows forward Yvonne Bonner and Port's Ashleigh Saint were the game's only multiple goal-kickers with two each.

The Power booted three unanswered goals in the second quarter and looked capable of causing an upset when they led by three points at the main break.

But the Crows, who were beaten in a preliminary final last year, finished full of running and proved far too strong when the game was there to be won.

"It was a great contest," Adelaide coach Matthew Clarke said.

"The margin was reasonably comfortable in the end but it didn't feel like a comfortable win.

"It was tight and tense and the pressure was on. It felt like what I think we'll see from here on in."

Making matters worse for Port, Hannah Ewings will come under scrutiny for a sling tackle on Kiera Mueller during the final quarter.

Adelaide belted the Power 63-3 in their only previous AFLW meeting last year and looked on track for another big win over their cross-town rivals early.

Kelly and Bonner kicked the only two goals of the first term, putting Adelaide up 2.3 to 0.0 at quarter-time.

But Gemma Houghton put Port on the board in the second term and two goals from Saint gave the underdogs a narrow advantage at halftime.

The Crows kicked 3.3 to 0.1 in the third quarter and pulled 36 points clear in the last before Ewings' long bomb from almost 50m found the target in the dying stages.

Erin Phillips (22 disposals), Abbey Dowerick (19) and Houghton (18) all worked tirelessly for the Power.

"There's definitely some growth in our group but post-game you're a little bit frustrated because you can always do that little bit better," Power coach Lauren Arnell said.

"But we were pleased with how we were able to challenge one of the better teams in the competition and we do think we've got the ability to do that for longer."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store