CHELSEA Randall has made a successful return from injury as Adelaide secured the NAB AFLW minor premiership with a 39-point win over lowly St Kilda.
Star pair Ebony Marinoff and Erin Phillips shone as the Crows took control after quarter-time, kicking away to post a 7.11 (53) to 2.2 (14) victory at RSEA Park on Sunday.
SAINTS v CROWS Full match coverage and stats
The result gave Adelaide a 9-1 record for the season, with a superior percentage lifting it above Melbourne at the top of the ladder.
The Crows are the only team in the women's competition with multiple premierships and are aiming for a third flag this season.
They will start the finals series as favourites to atone for last year's near miss, when they were beaten by Brisbane in the Grand Final.
Saturday's win was a comfortable tune-up, with Marinoff (25 disposals) and Phillips (19) finding plenty of the ball against the lowly Saints.
Ashleigh Woodland booted two majors as to wrap up the competition's leading goalkicker award with 19, one clear of both Melbourne star Tayla Harris and GWS forward Cora Staunton.
Crows captain Randall had been sidelined by a right hamstring injury since round four and got through her comeback match in a positive sign ahead of the finals, finishing with 10 disposals.
It was a timely return for Randall, who missed last year's Grand Final because of concussion.
"It was awesome, I've really missed footy," Randall told the Seven Network.
"It's just unreal, it's great to play footy with these girls and they're a special bunch.
"I was just really trying to get my body right for my team.
"The docs and medical staff are fantastic and I'm just really chuffed that we were able to come away with the win today."
The only concern for Adelaide was a bruised elbow suffered by experienced forward Justine Mules in a marking contest late in the match.
"It's a bit stiff and sore but the doctors are confident that she'll be OK," Crows coach Matthew Clarke said.
St Kilda benefited from a strong breeze at their backs in the opening term and took a three-point lead to the first break after Hannah Priest kicked the first goal of the match.
But the Crows asserted their authority in the second quarter, piling on 3.4 and holding the hosts scoreless.
The Saints also failed to score into the wind in the final term as the visitors extended the margin.
It would have been greater if not for some wayward Crows kicking in front of goal.
St Kilda battled personnel issues all season and won just two games under first-year coach Nick Dal Santo, finishing second-last on the ladder.
"Overall, our big picture is pleasing," former Saints AFL midfielder Dal Santo said.
"But when you come up against the best like we did today, we're still acutely aware of where we are right now and where we want to get to.
"There are moments that are pleasing but we need to get better."
ST KILDA 1.0 1.0 2.2 2.2 (14)
ADELAIDE 0.3 3.7 5.9 7.11 (53)
GOALS
St Kilda: Priest, Matin
Adelaide: Woodland 2, Phillips, Gould, Thompson, Ponter, Martin
BEST
St Kilda: Lucas-Rodd, Jakobsson, Priest, Vogt
Adelaide: Phillips, Marinoff, Hatchard, Woodland, Gore, Gould
INJURIES
St Kilda: Guttridge (heavy knock)
Adelaide: Mules (elbow)
Reports: Nil
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