THE LAST of the opening round of AFL Women’s finals for 2025 sees a knockout bout between Adelaide and St Kilda, both of whom have very different post-season records. The Crows have three flags, the most in the competition, while the Saints are contesting their first ever final in the game.

IN A NUTSHELL

Date: Sunday, November 9
Venue: Norwood Oval
Time: 2:35pm local, 3:05pm AEDST
Result: Winner goes to an away semi-final, loser gets eliminated

SEASON DETAILS

LAST TIME THEY MET

2025 | Round 1 | St Kilda 6.5 (41) def. Adelaide 2.7 (19)

Fans of both sides were left a little shellshocked after a huge Round 1 result which saw the Saints – who have notoriously struggled over the years – oust the perennially successful Crows. Incredibly the Crows had 50 inside 50s to 28, but could not capitalise, as the likes of Tyanna Smith (25 disposals, three marks, five tackles and seven clearances) and Georgia Patrikios (26 disposals, four marks) went to work. Ebony Marinoff (29 disposals, three marks, eight tackles and five clearances) was her typical self, while Madison Newman had 534 metres gained from 23 disposals and five marks, as well as booting a goal.

TEAM HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS

CHANGES

Both teams have been able to bring back some quality experience with the Crows recalling crucial players Chelsea Randall and Niamh Kelly, while the Saints have brought in Paige Trudgeon, Nicola Barr and Olivia Vesely. The two Crows out of the team are Stevie-Lee Thompson and Brooke Tonon, while Arianna Clarke, Hannah Stuart and Natalie Plane are out of the Saints’ side.

KEY PLAYERS

Clearly the two midfields are stacked with reigning best and fairest winner Marinoff a key to stop for the Saints, while the Crows will look to quell the influence of Smith. The team that gets on top in the midfield and can get the ball forward will likely get on top early, and that means the run of Madison Newman and Serene Watson for their respective sides will be important to mop up anything behind the ball. Jess Allan is set to continue her remarkable late season form and should give her midfielders first look.

Up the Saints’ end Jesse Wardlaw is the biggest headache for the Crows’ defence, and if they can stop her, it goes a long way to winning. However the Saints have their own problems too with Randall’s return adding extra spice inside 50, while the marking targets of Eloise Jones and Caitlin Gould also pose an issue. Trudgeon returning will assist in sureing up the defence, with Ella Friend another underrated figure in there.

PREDICTION

St Kilda’s last fortnight was nothing short of terrible, and if that continues it could be one-way traffic. However the Saints’ five-game winning streak prior to that – including a great win over Carlton – would see them topple the Crows, and they do have that Round 1 win to fall back on. But under a finals litmus test against the most experienced post-season side, the Crows should be getting the job done, especially at home by around four goals.