Canberra product Bec Goddard is the coach that turned a team of misfits into history makers the moment the final siren sounded during the inaugural AFL Women's grand final.

Among Goddard's playing group is a Canberra quartet that held on by their fingernails for the 4.11 (35) to 4.5 (29) victory as the previously unbeaten Lions stormed home.

An Adelaide Crows tragic growing up, Talia Radan was joined in red, yellow, and blue by army medic Heather Anderson, Canberra United soccer player Jenna McCormick, and Navy officer Rhiannon Metcalfe.

Their teammate, co-captain and basketball convert Erin Phillips delivered a best-on-ground display as Crows held off a fast-finishing Brisbane to secure a six-point win in front of 15,610 at Metricon Stadium.

With a premiership medal around her neck and signature pink headgear in her kit bag, Anderson's journey to the top has been one to remember.

Eight months ago she was told she could never play football again, following a shoulder reconstruction. She was told if she injured it again her career as an army medic could be over.

Anderson injured her shoulder during the third quarter, which meant she could only get one hand on the trophy with her right arm wrapped beneath her guernsey.

It mattered not. She has made history.

"It was the best day of my life," Anderson said.

"I've been in pretty significant pain since it happened but I think just the atmosphere and the concept of what's happening is overriding it completely."

Anderson says a return to the top level is the end goal, refusing to give up on her football career after the adrenaline rush a title gave her.

While Anderson finished on the bench, Phillips was everywhere, tallying a game-high 28 disposals to go with two crucial third-quarter goals.

Co-captain Chelsea Randall was also magnificent, keeping Lions star Tayla Harris without a touch until late in the third quarter.

The Crows set the tone from the first siren, Kellie Gibson scoring the opening goal before the Lions even had a chance to get their hands on the ball.

Jessica Wuetschner responded immediately for the Lions but a brilliant goal on the run by Deni Varnhagen ensured the Crows held a seven-point lead at the first change.

Phillips turned the screw in the second quarter, running the game on the ground but her efforts were largely wasted by her teammates.

Nothing epitomised the Lions' fight more than a desperate goal-saving tackle by Kate Lutkins on Rachael Killian with the Crows' forward seemingly destined to stretch the lead.

Despite their dominance, the Crows were unable to find a goal in the second term and Wuetschner's second of the match following a downfield free-kick for a late hit on Sabrina Frederick-Traub ensured the Lions trailed by just one goal at halftime.

The Crows were quickest out of the blocks after the main break, with Phillips scoring early in the third term.

Lions' ruck Frederick-Traub again put the Lions back in the contest before Phillips popped up to ensure the Crows held a two-goal advantage at the final break.

That proved vital as Harris fired up in the final quarter, kicking an early goal and throwing herself into challenges.

But the Crows held firm in the game's final minutes to seal their spot in history.

WITH AAP

AT A GLANCE

AFL Women's grand final:

ADELAIDE CROWS 2.1 2.7 4.9 4.11 (35)

BRISBANE LIONS 1.0 2.1 3.3 4.5 (29)