Crows see off pre-finals scare from Saints

Adelaide have survived a scare from St Kilda to set up a likely qualifying final against Melbourne with a hard-earned 16-point AFLW victory.

The Crows were at risk of dropping to fourth place and facing a trip to league-leaders Brisbane next week when trailing in the third term, but took control late to secure the 4.5 (29) to 2.1 (13) triumph at Moorabbin Oval on Saturday.

An upset was on the cards until Danielle Ponter sparked the Crows (8-2) after the main break, firstly slotting a set shot from just inside the 50m arc when kicking against the wind.

The crafty forward followed up two minutes later when the Saints attempted to switch play deep in the Crows' attacking pocket, intercepting the ball in the air and running into an open goal.

The Saints stayed within touching distance until Ashleigh Woodland was taken high next to the behind post and snapped a stunning banana to make the margin nine points halfway through the final term.

Woodland bettered that in the dying stages when throwing the ball on the boot while being tackled and watching the snap sail through to ensure the result for the Crows.

Star onballer Ebony Marinoff helped keep the Crows in the contest in the first half with 15 disposals, then had even more of an impact as the game slowly turned, finishing with 29 touches and nine clearances.

Anne Hatchard (21) and Niamh Kelly (14) were also influential in the Crows' comeback, while Chelsea Biddell (14 touches, six rebounds) added drive from their defence.

"The first half was pretty poor to be honest, but credit to St Kilda they brought energy, pressure, they were using the ball well," Crows coach Matthew Clarke said.

"But the ability to respond and get an outcome was really good. Obviously it was significant in the context of the season. To get top-four is a great result."

This was arguably the Saints' best display of the season as they not only matched but often outplayed their highly-fancied opponents.  

The Saints (3-7) controlled the territory in the opening term when kicking with a stiff breeze, then cleverly put players behind the ball to take a 22-8 lead in inside 50s into half-time.

But the hosts could only turn their advantage in play into a five-point lead at the main change, with key forward Kate Shierlaw the only goalscorer in the match at that time.

Georgia Patrikios (17 disposals, one goal) added class to the Saints' determined efforts, with the outstanding Molly McDonald (20) and Hannah Priest (15) also finding plenty of the ball.

"I was pretty proud of the way that the girls played it out even though it was a couple of goals margin at the end," Saints coach Nick Dal Santo said.

"The Crows are a very good team and they showed that late."