Crows hang on for AFLW win over Magpies

AFLW powerhouse Adelaide remain 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 edging Collingwood 4.6 (30) to 4.4 (28) at Norwood Oval on Sunday.

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Their 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.

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.

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.

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."

Collingwood's Ruby Schleicher stepped up