AFTER managing to keep the Crows at bay for a half at Victoria Park, the understrength Magpies conceded 40 points after half-time to make Adelaide 43 point winners.

Coming off the back of a few shaky performances against Brisbane, St. Kilda and Melbourne, the Crows have locked up a top-four spot on the ladder with consecutive wins after their defeats of the Pies on Sunday and the Giants last week.

The pressure from both sides was up early in the encounter with both sides having trouble finding their way out of the midfield. In the third quarter the Crows managed to break through the Pies’ defence to start scoring heavily with 12 to two inside 50s.

Adelaide’s ability to convert opportunities and inside 50s has been a big issue for Matthew Clarke‘s side, however he was impressed at how far they have come in rectifying that.

Post-match he spoke about how proud he was of his team’s showing considering how hard Collingwood were to crack. He mentioned being really comfortable at quarter-time despite only being a few goals ahead.

“I thought the pressure from Collingwood was high and therefore it was tough but I’m happy with the way they stuck at [the] task and by the time the siren went, we had the outcome,” Clarke said.

“[I was] far from disappointed [at quarter-time], I was really happy.

“I thought we were playing really well, our contest level was really high, we probably missed a couple of shots in the second quarter which would have been nice to knock over but I just think Collingwood were playing at a really high level and we were matching it.

“It was a pretty good arm wrestle [and] I was really comfortable.”

When asked about the contributions of some of his young and more inexperienced players, Clarke was quick to give plaudits to Sarah Goodwin and Teah Charlton.

Goodwin had 17 disposals, three marks, seven tackles and two clearances to go with 300 metres gained, while Charlton had 15 touches, two tackles and three clearances.

“I thought ‘Goody’ was really strong, I thought Teah Charlton was [it] probably one of her best games of the year as well so, it’s great when those players who have sort of been in the system for a little while, they start to really develop, it’s great.”

Two of the bigger performers for Adelaide were cross-coder Taylah Levy and forward Caitlin Gould.

The best on ground, is arguably the favourite for the league’s best and fairest, Ebony Marinoff. Levy and Gould contributed with three goals, while Marinoff had the most disposals on field with 36, as well as five marks, seven tackles, eight clearances and 645 metres gained.

Clarke continues to be asked about his star midfielder Marinoff, but always acknowledges her effort and workrate.

“Every week we’ve reflected on her ability to be really consistent and to keep pushing herself work rate-wise,” he said.

“I think the things with which she’s been building into her game over this season in particular is adding that moment of composure and her efficiency.

“Her ball use is getting better and better every week so it makes her a pretty good player.”

The Crows’ next match-up is a mouth-watering one, playing in front of their faithful fans at Norwood Oval against what could be considered the premiership favourites in the Kangaroos.

Clarke is as equally intrigued as the AFLW fanbase as to what that game will bring, but he encouraged everyone that can attend to come and watch.

“They are playing outstanding footy, so it will be a great challenge,” Clarke continued.

“I think a lot of elements of our games are starting to come together but we were looking at their stats, they’re number one in every category so it’s [a] pretty unique season that they are putting together.

“We look forward to it though, it should be a good game, I’d get along if I was in Adelaide.”