GWS are on track to play AFLW finals footy after snaring their fourth win of the season by stunning reigning premiers Adelaide by five points.

Alyce Parker was everywhere in a sensational performance as the Giants won 4.2 (26) to 3.3 (21) on Sunday afternoon at Adelaide’s Richmond Oval in front of a handful of fans because of coronavirus.

Skilful left-footer Parker collected an imposing 30 touches to be best-afield, while Irishwoman Cora Staunton was a powerhouse up forward, marking strongly and kicking two crucial goals.

The Crows, all but out of finals calculations, made a late charge in the final term when former GWS star Courtney Gum steered through her second goal for the game and they were within five points.

But the Giants, who had played with passion and desperation all day, refused to concede in a pressure-packed final three minutes, having the ball on their half-forward line when the final siren sounded.

Rebecca Beeson (20 disposals) and Tait Mackrill (19) were influential for the Giants, while the Crows, as had been the case all season, were best served by Anne Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff. But their premiership defence was left in tatters with their fourth loss in six games this campaign.

The Crows fielded a strong line-up with the injury returns of star Erin Phillips, winger Deni Varnhagen, forward Eloise Jones and midfielder Najwa Allen.

But it was the Giants who started well with a goal from Staunton. The Crows’ class was obvious when Phillips found Gum and she goaled from 40m. Marijana Rajcic was given reason to celebrate her 31st birthday as she snapped the second goal of her career – but the goal late in the first term was Adelaide’s last before the final quarter.

GWS were working hard, winning plenty of the ball in the second quarter. Sydney Sixers’ WBBL allrounder Jodie Hicks snapped an inspirational goal to give them the lead.

While the Crows were left stranded on two majors, the Giants’ Britt Tully benefited from a 50m penalty to goal against the breeze in the third quarter before Staunton’s long-bomb goal early in the final quarter all but sealed the deal.