Sarah Perkins, Erin Phillips inspire Adelaide Crows into AFLW decider

ADELAIDE is into the inaugural AFLW grand final after a thrilling come-from-behind win over Collingwood in Melbourne on Sunday.

Erin Phillips gets her handball away. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

ADELAIDE is into the inaugural AFLW grand final after a thrilling come-from-behind win over Collingwood in Melbourne on Sunday.

The Crows surrendered a 13-point half-time lead and looked gone early in the last quarter when they fell behind by seven points.

But up stepped full forward Sarah ‘Tex’ Perkins and mercurial onballer Erin Phillips who both kicked two final quarter goals to set up the 24-point win.

It means the Crows will finish the regular season in second spot on the ladder and play Brisbane in the grand final - most likely at the Gabba - next Saturday, March 25.

Sarah Perkins celebrates a goal. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Sunday’s game began to mirror Adelaide’s season with the Crows getting off to a good start only to fade after half-time as they went scoreless in the third term.

But a huge final quarter saw them snap a two-game losing streak to deny Melbourne a spot in the grand final on percentage.

They finished the game full of running and kicked five unanswered goals at Olympic Park which is sure to send them into next week’s grand final on a wave of momentum.

The only major concern from the win was a suspected concussion to key defender Courtney Cramey who was helped from the ground in the first quarter after a clash of heads, and did not return.

“Not bad for a team that wasn’t going to be up there was it,” Perkins told Fox Footy post-match.

“I can’t explain (the feeling) to be honest, I had a pretty tough journey to get here but I can’t thank Bec Goddard, the Adelaide Crows and the girls enough to have faith in me.”

Asked about Phillips’ game-breaking performance, Perkins described it as “amazing”.

“She’s one of a kind, we are very lucky to have her, big game, big player ... it’s pretty amazing isn’t it.”

Jenna McCormick celebrates a goal second term. Picture:Wayne Ludbey

ADELAIDE 2.5 5.8 5.8 10.10 (70)

COLLINGWOOD 2.1 4.1 7.3 7.4 (46)

BEST - Adelaide: Phillips, Perkins, Marinoff, McCormick, Killian. Collingwood: Chiocci, Garner, Cameron, D’Arcy, Hope, Eva.

GOALS - Adelaide: Perkins 4, Phillips 3, Killian, McCormick, Sedunary. Collingwood: Cameron, Hope 2, Garner, Eva, Bernardi.