Adelaide has won the first AFL Women's premiership, edging Brisbane by a goal in the grand final at Carrara Stadium.

Crows midfielder Erin Phillips was perhaps even more influential than expected in the 4.11 (35) to 4.5 (29) win in front of 15,610 fans.

She was all over the Gold Coast turf, collecting a game-high 28 disposals and kicking two vital goals in the third quarter.

Co-captains Erin Phillips (right) and Chelsea Randall carried coach Bec Goddard's message on to the field. ( AAP: Dan Peled )

The former basketball star added the AFLW trophy and a best-on-ground award to her two WNBA titles and an Olympic silver medal from her time with the Opals.

Phillips said the AFLW premiership was "right up there" with her other sporting achievements.

"It's just a magical feeling right now," she told Grandstand.

"I'll sit back with a glass of wine and think about it in a couple of nights if I ever come down from cloud nine."

The 31-year-old said, despite her basketball ability and the opportunity to make more money elsewhere, there was never any doubt she was going to play in the first AFLW season.

"I would've had more regrets if I didn't play [and] be part of this," Phillips said.

"I'm just so privileged to be a part of our football club, get this opportunity and share it with these girls."

Co-captain Chelsea Randall was also magnificent, keeping Lions star Tayla Harris without a touch until late in the third quarter.

Crows ram home early advantage

Sarah Perkins (right) was a marked woman up front for Adelaide. ( AAP: Dan Peled )

The Crows set the tone from the first siren, Kellie Gibson scoring the opening goal before the Lions even had a chance to get their hands on the ball.

Jessica Wuetschner responded immediately for the Lions but a brilliant goal on the run by Deni Varnhagen ensured the Crows held a seven-point lead at the first change.

Loading

Phillips turned the screw in the second quarter, running the game on the ground but her efforts were largely wasted by her teammates, as evidenced by the 11 behinds the Crows kicked in the game.

Despite their dominance, the Crows were unable to find a goal in the second term and Wuetschner's second of the match after a downfield free-kick for a late hit on Sabrina Frederick-Traub ensured the Lions trailed by just one goal at half-time.

Phillips scored early in the third term but Lions ruck Frederick-Traub again put the Lions back in the contest, before Phillips popped up to ensure the Crows held a two-goal advantage at the final break.

That proved vital as Harris fired up in the final quarter, kicking an early six-pointer and throwing herself into challenges.

But the Crows held firm in the game's final minutes to seal their spot in history.

The first AFLW premiership trophy will travel with the Crows to Adelaide. ( AAP: Dan Peled )

Adelaide's key forward, Sarah Perkins, went undrafted in October before dropping 40 kilograms to get to playing weight.

She was kept quiet in the grand final, with just one behind to her name, but said the Crows' victory was not just about her team.

"It made me become a confident person and someone who has self belief," she said.

"I have also said during the week we're not the winner; women's football is the winner and our fans and girls out there today with Tayla Harris, Frederick-Traub, Chelsea Randall, Phillips and any other number on their back, it's about them.

"And they now have the pathway to have this dream."

ABC/AAP