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AAP
AAP
Sport
Shayne Hope

Adelaide claim 2022 AFLW minor premiership

Chelsea Randall made her return as Adelaide defeated St Kilda to claim the AFLW minor premiership. (AAP)

Chelsea Randall has made a successful return from injury as Adelaide secured the AFLW minor premiership with a 39-point win over lowly St Kilda.

Star pair Ebony Marinoff and Erin Phillips shone as the Crows kicked clear after quarter-time on Sunday to post a 7.11 (53) to 2.2 (14) victory at RSEA Park.

The result gave Adelaide a 9-1 record for the season, with a superior percentage lifting them above Melbourne at the top of the ladder.

Aiming for a third women's premiership, Adelaide will begin the finals series as flag favourites as they attempt to atone for last year's near miss, when they were beaten by Brisbane in the grand final.

Sunday's win was a comfortable tune-up, with Marinoff (25 disposals), Phillips (19) and Anne Hatchard (23) finding plenty of the ball against the lowly Saints.

Ashleigh Woodland booted two majors as the game's only multiple goal-kicker.

Crows captain Randall had been sidelined by a right hamstring injury since round four and got through her comeback match in a positive sign ahead of the finals, finishing with 10 disposals.

It was a timely return for Randall, who missed last year's grand final because of concussion.

"It was awesome, I've really missed footy," Randall told the Seven Network.

"It's just unreal, it's great to play footy with these girls and they're a special bunch.

"I was just really trying to get my body right for my team.

"The docs and medical staff are fantastic and I'm just really chuffed that we were able to come away with the win today."

The only concern for Adelaide was a bruised elbow suffered by experienced forward Justine Mules in a marking contest late in the match.

"It's a bit stiff and sore but the doctors are confident that she'll be OK," Crows coach Matthew Clarke said.

St Kilda led by three points at quarter-time but failed to score into a strong wind during the second and fourth quarters.

It left the Saints second-last on the ladder with a 2-8 record from their first season under Nick Dal Santo.

"Overall, our big picture is pleasing," former Saints AFL midfielder Dal Santo said.

"But when you come up against the best like we did today, we're still acutely aware of where we are right now and where we want to get to.

"There are moments that are pleasing but we need to get better."

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