Adelaide’s inspirational co-captain Erin Phillips has dominated before suffering a serious knee injury in a 45-point win against Carlton in Sunday’s AFLW grand final.
Before a record AFLW crowd of 53,034 spectators at Adelaide Oval, the Crows claimed their second premiership with a 10.3 (63) to 2.6 (18) triumph.
Phillips, the competition’s premier player, starred with 18 disposals and two goals before being taken from the field on a motorised stretcher after damaging a knee in the third quarter.
Phillips, clearly best-afield at the time, crumbled after trying to change direction and instantly grabbed her left knee.
Her teammate Chloe Scheer also sustained what appeared a serious knee injury and Stevie Lee-Thompson hurt an ankle as the Crows hammered the Blues.
Adelaide secured a second flag in the third AFLW season with a devastating spree of eight consecutive goals in the first and second quarters.
Phillips, Eloise Jones, ruck Jesica Foley (18 possessions, 27 hitouts) and Anne Hatchard (24 disposals) were instrumental while forward Danielle Ponter slotted three goals.
Carlton’s Brianna Davey (22 touches) and Nicola Stevens (15 touches) battled gamely against the dominant Crows, who held a commanding 40-point halftime advantage.
Phillips increased the lead by booting her second major some 10 minutes into the third term.
But just five minutes later, Phillips tried to change direction when chasing a Carlton opponent and slumped to the ground in agony.
Phillips was carried off to a standing ovation from the record crowd, which eclipsed the previous AFLW best of 41,975 fans set in the first Australian Rules game at Perth’s new stadium last season.