ST KILDA has never played finals in AFLW history, but this could be the team to break the duck, following an almighty 22-point upset over Adelaide to open its season.

The Saints were simply ruthless from start to finish to post the 6.5 (41) to 2.7 (19) win - their first over the Crows - in front of a vocal home crowd at RSEA Park.

St Kilda's superior fitness was evident right from the start, as the home side ran freely, gaining plenty of ground on their Adelaide opponents. Playing a high-pressure game, they never seemed to lose energy in their legs, moving through the match at breakneck speed.

05:09

AFLW RD1 | Highlights v Adelaide

The Saints and Crows clash in round one of the 2025 NAB AFLW Season

Adelaide started the game uncharacteristically fumbly and highly susceptible to St Kilda's impressive pressure game. Across the home side's back half veteran Nicola Stevens set the tone, and her fellow defenders came along for the ride.

It was a defensive performance that, although Adelaide lived in its forward half, held last year's preliminary finalist to shots largely from 40 or more metres out. The Crows simply couldn't generate high quality shots on goal despite having Caitlin Gould, Danielle Ponter, and the returning Eloise Jones in the line.

They maintained a really disciplined structure behind the ball, never getting sucked up into the contest, instead owning that space.

The Saints' top draft pick Zoe Besanko kicked her first goal after just 36 seconds, and both Amber Clarke (13 disposals, one goal) and Charlotte Baskaran (19 disposals, six marks) had a big impact on their side's game style in their first outing for the club, after crossing from Essendon and Hawthorn respectively.

00:43

AFLW RD1 | Besanko magic gets Saints off to a flyer

Zoe Besanko puts home this brilliant running goal inside the opening minutes of the first term

Meanwhile the return of Georgia Patrikios (27 disposals, 422 metres gained) and further development of Tyanna Smith (24 disposals, seven clearances) meant St Kilda's midfield was able to take it to the highly-touted Adelaide outfit.

Where St Kilda was at its best was chaining uncontested possession down the wing – something the side has attempted in the past but struggled to maintain the linkage down the ground – but all that work stemmed from an increased ability to win the contested possession and clearance.

Ultimately, they dominated clearances 29-17.

00:33

AFLW RD1 | Powerful McDonald proves too strong

Molly McDonald breaks a tackle before bending it through on the run late in the opening quarter

India Rasheed's first career goal on debut added a spark to the Crows, but unfortunately it was on the eve of half-time and they couldn't do any more damage on the scoreboard before the main break. The debutant did remain Adelaide's most dangerous forward for the duration, however, finishing her first game with 15 disposals and five marks.

Ebony Marinoff (27 disposals, nine tackles) never stopped working for Adelaide, nor did Madi Newman (21 disposals, one goal), but they never quite hit their best due to St Kilda's immense pressure.

Up next: St Kilda will head down to Casey Fields to face an up-and-about Melbourne outfit on Saturday afternoon.

ST KILDA        2.0    3. 2    5.5   6.5 (41)
ADELAIDE       1.1    2.1    2.3   2.7 (19)

GOALS  
St Kilda: Besanko 2, McDonald, Clarke, Richards, Priest
Adelaide: Newman, Rasheed

BEST  
St Kilda: Stevens, Smith, Patrikios, Besanko, Trudgeon, Baskaran
Adelaide: Marinoff, Rasheed, Newman, S.Allan

INJURIES  
St Kilda: Nil
Adelaide: Munyard (left ankle)

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