AFLW powerhouse Adelaide remains on top of the ladder after edging a brave and fast-finishing Collingwood in a two-point thriller.

The Crows were overtaken by Melbourne, who smashed Fremantle by a record 88 points, as ladder-leaders on Saturday night.

But the two-time premiers ensured the positional switch was temporary, with Adelaide defeating Collingwood 4.6 (30) to 4.4 (28) at Norwood Oval on Sunday.

The Crows' eighth win of the season did not come easy, as the depleted Magpies fought hard as they attempted to lock up their top-six spot.

05:21

AFLW Match Highlights: Adelaide v Collingwood

The Crows and Magpies clash in round nine of the NAB AFL Women's Competition

Collingwood hit the front during the third quarter through back-to-back goals to last week's Rising Star nominee Eliza James.

But the Crows were able to grab back the advantage through important forward Ashleigh Woodland.

CROWS v MAGPIES Full match coverage and stats

However, the Magpies came again, and a goal from dynamic star Chloe Molloy cut the margin to two points with just two minutes to go.

Collingwood had multiple chances to pinch the lead in the dying stages, with the Magpies blazing away with several shots close to goal.

00:33

Molloy's class on show with super snap

Chloe Molloy showed off her class with this brilliant goal to bring the Pies within a kick

But the Crows were able to clear the ball out of their defensive 50 and hang on, even without captain Chelsea Randall.

Superstar Erin Phillips made an impressive comeback from a knee injury, gathering 17 possessions and kicking a goal.

"It was never going to be easy and they came out firing, right to the end we knew this was going to take four quarters to get it done," Phillips told the Seven Network.

"I'm just so proud of how we did it, it was grind in the end but we got away with it.

"We'll be (soon) thinking about St Kilda next week, we've got another round to go, so we're not getting far ahead of ourselves."

01:00

Crows get two in a minute in red-hot start

Back-to-back goals to Erin Phillips and Ashleigh Woodland gave the Crows an early jump in their clash with the Pies

Collingwood's Ruby Schleicher stepped up brilliantly in the absence of star midfielder Brittany Bonnici, who ruptured her ACL last week.

The Magpies lost courageous Erica Fowler to a head knock during the second quarter.

Fowler was taken off on a stretcher after colliding with Adelaide's Najwa Allen.

00:48

Fowler stretchered off after high hit

Collingwood's Erica Fowler had to be carried from the field after coming off second-best in this contest

The incident will likely be scrutinised by the match review officer, with Allen making contact when Fowler had her head over the ball.

Collingwood will host Richmond at Victoria Park in the final round of the season next Saturday as they seek to book their finals berth.

00:48

Fowler stretchered off after high hit

Collingwood's Erica Fowler had to be carried from the field after coming off second-best in this contest

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)

LATE CHANGES
Adelaide: Nil
Collingwood: Nil

Reports: Nil

Crowd: TBC at Norwood Oval

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