Adelaide Crows defeat Western Bulldogs in AFL elimination final to advance to semifinals
Consensus Summary
The Adelaide Crows defeated the Western Bulldogs in a thrilling AFL elimination final at Adelaide Oval, winning by 22 points (90 to 68) in front of a crowd of 51,370. The match was marked by a late Bulldogs fightback, including three goals in five minutes, but Adelaide’s clutch forwards Riley Thilthorpe, Taylor Walker, and Darcy Fogarty secured the victory in the final term. Izak Rankine delivered a standout performance with 34 disposals and two goals, while Josh Worrell set an AFL finals record with 19 intercept possessions. The win ended a nine-year finals drought for Adelaide, who will now face the Brisbane Lions in the semifinals at the Gabba. The Bulldogs suffered a setback when defender Michael Sellwood was concussed during warm-up, and their forward inefficiency proved costly despite dominating inside-50s early. Adelaide’s coach Matthew Nicks, who faced pressure over his future, received a standing ovation, while Taylor Walker played his final game at Adelaide Oval before retiring. The Bulldogs’ Luke Beveridge acknowledged his team’s progress but noted their lack of polish in the loss.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Adelaide Crows won the elimination final against the Western Bulldogs by 22 points (90 to 68).
- The match was played at Adelaide Oval, with a crowd of 51,370.
- Izak Rankine had 34 disposals, 2 goals, and 7 clearances in his first AFL final appearance.
- Josh Worrell recorded an AFL finals record 19 intercept possessions.
- The Crows will play Brisbane Lions in the semifinals at the Gabba next Saturday night.
- Adelaide’s forwards Riley Thilthorpe, Taylor Walker, and Darcy Fogarty each kicked goals in the final term to secure the win.
- Western Bulldogs’ Ed Richards had 27 touches and 2 goals, Marcus Bontempelli had 27 touches, and Joel Freijah had 24 touches.
- The Bulldogs’ Michael Sellwood was concussed during warm-up after being hit by a stray football.
- Adelaide’s last finals victory was in 2018 (preliminary final).
- The Bulldogs had 12 inside-50s in the first quarter but could not convert them effectively.
- The score was level at 90-90 in the final term before Adelaide’s late surge.
- Taylor Walker played his last game at Adelaide Oval before retiring.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Luke Beveridge (Dogs coach) said his team lacked polish and couldn’t convert key opportunities.
- Adelaide’s Matthew Nicks received a standing ovation from the crowd every time his face appeared on the big screen in the fourth quarter.
- Zak Butters (player) is a target for the Bulldogs, with Freijah mentioning a potential golf outing to entice him.
- The Bulldogs’ forward efficiency (or lack thereof) was a key factor in their loss.
- The Dogs had a goalless third term before bursting to life with three goals in five minutes early in the fourth.
- Aaron Naughton’s shot hit the post for the third time, giving the Bulldogs a one-point lead before Adelaide’s comeback.
- The Crows had not won a single quarter of footy in their two finals at Adelaide Oval last season.
- The Bulldogs’ Arthur Jones and Will Lewis each kicked two goals.
- The Bulldogs’ Bailey Williams was busy in the match.
- The Bulldogs’ dubious free kick after a Jones goal enraged the pro-Crows crowd.
- The Crows’ Wayne Milera had 27 disposals, and Ben Keays and Brayden Cook each booted two goals.
- The win eases pressure on Crows coach Matthew Nicks, whose tenure reportedly hinged on beating the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs’ fightback included three rapid-fire goals in the final term, reducing the Crows’ lead to one point.
- The Crows’ Josh Rachele kicked three goals, and the Bulldogs’ Will Lewis kicked two goals.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- TheAge and TheWest say Adelaide’s last finals victory was in 2018, but TheAge also mentions 2017 in the context of a preliminary final, which may be a reference to a different match.
Source Articles
‘It’s a bitter pill’: The key fourth-quarter moment that cost the Dogs dearly in knockout final thriller
The Western Bulldogs were brave, they were willing, but just lacked that touch of class that the competition’s top-shelf contenders possess.
AFL Finals: Adelaide Crows beat Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval
Adelaide has broken a nine-year curse to fight off a valiant Western Bulldogs by 22 points and earn a spot in the semifinals against Brisbane.
Adelaide banish AFL finals demons with victory against wasteful Western Bulldogs
Crows defeat Bulldogs 14.6 (90) to 9.14 (68) in elimination final Adelaide head to Brisbane for semi-final against reigning premiers Sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter Adelaide have survived a late scare to end the Western Bulldogs’ season with a nerve-jangling 22-point elimination final victory. The Crows led by 19 points at three-quarter time but slipped behind in the final term, before prevailing 14.6 (90) to 9.14 (68) on Saturday night. Continue reading...
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