ADELAIDE has easily accounted for Greater Western Sydney by 36 points in front of a bumper crowd of 9250 at a wet Thebarton Oval on Saturday.

The Crows dominated the game from start to finish to run out comfortable winners, 7.6 (48) to 1.6 (12).

Olympic basketballer Erin Phillips booted three goals for the Crows in her first game of competitive football, while midfielder Ebony Marinoff picked up a game-high 20 possessions.

Rhiannon Metcalfe controlled the rucks for Adelaide - she had 10 opening-half hit-outs while the entire Giants team managed just one - and gave gold-plated service to industrious midfielders Marinoff and co-captain Chelsea Randall (16 possessions).



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The Giants, who were without both of their marquee signings Emma Swanson and Renee Forth, and priority signing Louise Stephenson, finally received a much-deserved reward for their effort when Phoebe McWilliams kicked the club's first goal early in the last quarter.



"For a first hit-out, I was really pleased with their effort," GWS coach Tim Schmidt said. "That was the thing going in, making sure there were no weak efforts, and they gave it their all.

"Overall picture, playing in front of 9000 people, first-ever AFLW game, being away ... I thought the girls handled themselves very well and I couldn't be more proud of them."



ADELAIDE 1.3 3.6 6.6 7.6 (48)

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 0.1 0.2 0.3 1.6 (12)

GOALS

Adelaide: Phillips 3, Randall, Gibson, Varnhagen, Perkins.

Greater Western Sydney: McWilliams

BEST

Adelaide: Marinoff, Randall, Phillips, Gibson, Varnhagen, Mules

Greater Western Sydney: Barr, Farrugia, McWilliams, Dal Pos

INJURIES

Adelaide: Rachael Killian (quad) replaced in the selected side by Abbey Holmes

Greater Western Sydney: Nil

Reports: Nil

Official crowd: 9250 at Thebarton Oval

Ebony Marinoff (left) and Talia Radan celebrate after the final siren. Picture: AFL Photos

The first blow

Marquee signing Kellie Gibson wrote herself into Adelaide history, booting the club's first goal with a sensational long-range effort. The Crows worked the ball beautifully out of defence and along the wing before finding Gibson. The West Australian gave the ball a mighty heave as it bounced through the big sticks to the delight of the large local crowd.

It was a heavy high tackle, but great to see Erin Phillips get to her feet and convert the goal here #AFLWCrowsGiants pic.twitter.com/vM3bWYcJhm — AFL Women's (@aflwomens) February 4, 2017

The difference

The Crows had winners all over the ground. Hard-running midfielder Ebony Marinoff was everywhere, picking up a game-high 20 possessions. Marquee players Chelsea Randall and Kellie Gibson were both excellent, while Olympic basketballer Erin Phillips was dangerous up forward booting three goals.

Work in progress

It was always going to be a tough ask for an undermanned Greater Western Sydney team, which was without injured marquee players Renee Forth and Emma Swanson. Priority signing Louise Stephenson was also sidelined with a knee injury. Jess Dal Pos was outstanding for the Giants laying nine tackles, while Nicole Barr and captain Amanda Farrugia led from the front.

What's next

The Crows will look to make it two straight wins to start the season whey they take on the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval next Friday night. Meanwhile, the Giants have another big task when they face an impressive Carlton side at Ikon Park next Saturday.

Say what?

"She's an unbelievable athlete and she showed a glimpse of what she's capable of today."

- Adelaide coach Bec Goddard talking about ex-basketball star Erin Phillips, who booted three goals.

"We matched them right from the start, our first five minutes were sensational, but they probably utilised their opportunities a little bit more."

- Greater Western Sydney coach Tim Schmidt.