ADELAIDE is back at the top of the ladder after surviving a late scare from a plucky Collingwood outfit, winning by two points at Norwood Oval on Sunday afternoon.
The Crows are one of the most feared sides in the competition, but the Pies were up for the fight in the 4.6 (30) to 4.4 (28) contest.
The Pies could barely get a hand on the footy in the opening quarter, but the Crows couldn’t fully capitalise and only kicked two goals.
Collingwood had quick reply in the second, booting two goals in quick succession to pare the margin back to just two points.
The stalemate continued into the third quarter, with both sides booting a goal to leave the Crows just three points up at the final change.
The Crows struck first in the final term, with Danielle Ponter finding the big sticks early but the Pies bit back, with Chloe Molloy slotting a goal to cut the margin to two points with two minutes left on the clock.
But the damage had already been done, leaving the Crows to resume their place atop the ladder.
A major concern for the Pies is a neck injury to Erica Fowler, who copped a knee to the face and was stretchered off just before half time.
ADELAIDE 2.4 2.4 3.6 4.6 (30)
COLLINGWOOD 0.0 2.3 3.3 4.4 (28)
GOALS
Adelaide: Woodland 2, Phillips, Ponter
Collingwood: James 2, Brown, Molloy
BEST
Adelaide: Marinoff, Hatchard, Phillips
Collingwood: Schleicher, Rowe, Cann, Molloy, James
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Collingwood: Fowler (neck), Lambert (ribs)
Reports: Nil