Erin Phillips sets standard in Crows’ inaugural AFLW win over Giants

ERIN Phillips has become the first recipient of a good old fashioned coathanger in the AFLW. The incident was ugly, but the way she responded was awesome.

Ouch. Erin Phillips cops a coathanger.

ERIN Phillips has become the first recipient of a good old fashioned coathanger in the AFLW.

The basketball convert, and daughter of Port Adelaide legend Greg Phillips, was slung around the neck by Giants defender Alex Williams, as she stormed towards goal.

Stunned, she lay on the goal line, seeing stars.

But the 31-year-old responded like a true champion: using the free kick to snap around her body for her third goal of the match.

After a jittery start in which she kicked three consecutive points, the Opals Olympian found her range and rhythm, using her height and athleticism to monster her opponents.

Erin Phillips slotted three goals for the match. Photo: James Elsby/AFL Media/Getty Images

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Like many of the women on Thebarton Oval, Phillips had finally realised her childhood dream in donning AFLW colours.

“It was unreal. We’ve been talking about this moment for so long and now it’s finally here,” Phillips told Fox Footy.

“I never thought this was going to happen in my lifetime. To be 31 and to be in this situation that I am, I just feel so honoured.”

And for Phillips’ father Greg — whom she had watched and idolised as a child — it was a story that had come full circle.

“This is just fantastic. This is Erin’s dream,” he told Fox Footy.

“From a little girl playing, she followed her dad, running around the oval with me. She was just a crazy girl who loved the footy.

“For her to come back and fulfil her dream, it’s absolutely fantastic.”

Erin and Greg Phillips in 1992. Photo: Neon Martin

Phillips’ bravery didn’t go unnoticed, with coach Bec Goddard praising her co-captain’s intent.

“She had a couple of high ones there, but that’s Erin,” Goddard told Fox Footy.

“She stands up in a tackle. And she did and she converted so we’re happy with that.”

The Crows only had two training sessions as a complete team prior to Saturday’s win, with a handful of players living in Darwin.

With a six-goal win in front of over 9,000 people, Phillips said the group had the belief they could take out the competition.

“This was a great first hit out. We made strides today and I think we can keep growing as a football club,” she said.

Phillips finished the match with 14 disposals to go along with her game-high three majors.

Belligerent youngster Ebony Marinoff was prolific with 20 touches, while marquee players Chelsea Randall and Kellie Gibson starred.

Randall put on clinic in the third term, with a demonstrative mark and goal, while Gibson kicked a stunning running goal from beyond 50 metres to get proceedings under way.

The Giants struggled to get the game on their terms and only managed one goal for the match through Phoebe McWilliams in the final term. Both of their marquee players were absent.

Originally published as Erin Phillips sets standard in Crows’ inaugural AFLW win over Giants