The equation was simple for the reigning premiers, Adelaide.
A win against the lowly Collingwood at Olympic Park would gift them their second AFLW Grand Final appearance.
But a fired-up Collingwood outfit brought Adelaide’s inconsistent season to a dramatic halt with an outstanding 21-point victory following a ruthless second half.
Sitting on 14 points on the AFLW ladder, it was do or die for Adelaide.
The Crows came out with a sense of intensity and vigour in the first quarter as they looked to create history with a second consecutive Grand Final appearance - their hunger clearly evident around the contests.
Yet it would be Collingwood who managed hit the scoreboard first, following some excellent counter-attack play which resulted in a major for Jasmine Garner.
The initial hiccup didn't derail the determined Adelaide side, as Erin Phillips took control over the midfield and was instrumental in setting up two quick goals for Ruth Wallace and Anne Hatchard.
The Crows dominated field position for majority of the quarter, however numerous missed opportunities in front of goal would only see them take a 10-point advantage at the first change.
Adelaide continued to assert their authority into the second quarter, with their class and skill seemingly too much for the Magpie army.
Jenna McCormick channelled her soccer skills with a clever toe-poke through the big sticks to stretch the Crows' lead out to a game-high 17 points midway through the second term.
Marquee player Moana Hope quickly responded for the Pies, with a classy snap breathing life back into her side and sending nerves through the desperate opposition.
Not long after thanks to a skilful piece of play from Hope, Garner added another major to her name to further reduce the margin to under a kick right before half-time.
But a last-gasp effort by Stevie-Lee Thompson 15 seconds out from half-time helped restore an 11-point margin for the reigning premiers at the main change.
With everything to play for in the second half, all Adelaide needed to do was hold off the seventh-placed Magpies to book their spot in another AFLW Grand Final.
However, with inspirational co-captain Chelsea Randall sidelined following a head knock, their situation immediately became more difficult.
In a see-sawing period of footy, both sides peppered the goals early in the term to no effect - the howling winds at Olympic Park making major scores hard to come by.
A late burst by the Pies however would catch the Crows off-guard, as a kind bounce from a Melissa Kuys snap broke the deadlock.
Riding on their momentum, Collingwood quickly gained the lead minutes out from three-quarter time, as a persistent effort and goal from Christina Bernardi sent the Crows into panic stations.
Without Randall and a severely hampered Phillips, it would be an ugly last quarter for Adelaide as Collingwood emphatically ended their season.
The response by the black-and-white armada was simply superb as they won the ball at the contests, used it more efficiently and ran their now heartbroken opponents into the ground.
In what was a very good sign for the Magpies, Collingwood piled on three goals to zero through Bernardi, Garner and Lauren Tesoriero.
Adelaide weren't able to keep up with the resurgent Magpies, yet alone recreate their performance 12 months ago against the Pies in round seven which secured their maiden Grand Final birth.
The game showed the young talent coming through at Collingwood, who after three of their last four games against quality opposition sides, will go into the third AFLW season full of confidence.
Adelaide on the other hand will take a long, hard look at themselves over the off-season as they figure out a way to win games without star players Randall and Phillips in prime condition.
COLLINGWOOD 1.1 3.1 5.3 8.5 (53) ADELAIDE 2.5 4.6 4.8 4.8 (32)
GOALS Collingwood: Garner 3, Bernardi 2, Hope, Kuys, Tesoriero Adelaide: Wallace, Hatchard, McCormick, Thompson
BEST
Collingwood: Lambert, Garner, Hope, Bernardi
Adelaide: Marinoff, Phillips, Randall, Wallace
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