EVERYTHING pointed towards the Grand Final rematch going the same way as the original six months earlier.
But an undermanned Adelaide side turned in one of the club's gutsiest performances to gain revenge on premiers Richmond.
With best and fairest Matt Crouch on the pine, David Mackay seeing stars and Rory Sloane and Daniel Talia less than 100 per cent, not to mention the intense scrutiny from their contentious Gold Coast training camp, the Crows overcame the odds to defeat the Tigers by 36 points at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.
"It continues to build the belief," Crows coach Don Pyke said.
"It's the first win for the season and I thought we played OK last week without hitting our straps.
"I thought tonight, given the circumstances and a couple injuries on the way through, their ability to really dig in and get that win, and the way we won, can only be good for our group."
The unlikely hero was much-maligned forward Josh Jenkins, who booted five goals in the 18.10 (118) to 12.10 (82) victory in front of a crowd of 49,743.
Skipper Taylor Walker kicked four in his first game back from a foot injury, halfback flanker Rory Laird was outstanding with a game-high 42 possessions just a day after he penned a three-year contract extension while Bryce Gibbs (28 disposals), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (28), Paul Seedsman (28) and Hugh Greenwood (26) combined strongly in the midfield.
Crouch left the game in the second quarter with a hamstring injury, while Mackay was concussed in the third term after a high hit from Josh Caddy, who will come under scrutiny from match review officer Michael Christian.
Vice-captain Rory Sloane (ankle) and key defender Daniel Talia (knee) spent time off the ground, but battled gamely to soldier on.
Brownlow Medallist Dustin Martin was brilliant for the Tigers, booting five goals and having 25 possessions, with 14 contested, while captain Trent Cotchin was kept under control in his 200th game.
WATCH: Dusty does his best to get Tigers going
“They just out-hunted us and out-worked us," Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.
"It’s been a characteristic of the way we play the game, we just got beaten in the air and at ground level tonight.
“I think we had two heartbreaking (moments).
"Dave Astbury - the ball comes off the side of his boot, Tex picks it up and kicks a goal from 55 and Brandon (Ellis) kicks one out on the full … they were the momentum shifters."
The Crows had 12 players with 20 or more disposals, while Martin was the only one for the Tigers.
Talking points: Adelaide v Richmond
The ball was fizzing around as the two sides engaged in an old-fashioned shoot-out.
It was exhilarating to watch, with 20 goals in the first half and 12 of those in a second quarter that lasted 35 minutes, 27 seconds.
Hardly sighted during the Grand Final, Jenkins was the most dominant player on the ground in the first half, booting four goals, and should've had five if not for a miss from 20m out directly in front.
Jenkins was giving All Australian defender Alex Rance an absolute bath, using his size and strength to win one-on-one contests.
WATCH: Josh Jenkins put his Grand Final performance in the past
The Crows led by 12 points at the main break – 11.4 (70) to 9.4 (58).
Well beaten in the first half, Rance started to get into the contest with a number of crucial marks in defence.
Despite being down on troops, the Crows gritted their teeth and started to grind the Tigers into the ground, kicking three goals to one in the third term to extend their lead to 22 points.
But the Tigers weren't done yet.
Martin booted his fourth and fifth goals of the game to close the gap to nine points.
The Crows' leaders stepped up.
First it was Walker, in his first game of the season, launching a monster shot at goal from outside 50m.
Then it was his vice-captain, Sloane, with a brilliant set-shot from deep in the right-hand boundary that gave the Crows a bit of breathing room.
WATCH: Rory Sloane gets the Crows some breathing space
Jenkins then kicked his fifth goal to extend the lead to 25 points.
MEDICAL ROOM
Adelaide: Reigning club champion Matt Crouch didn't play any further part in the game after injuring his left hamstring in the second quarter. The Crows also lost David Mackay in the third term to concussion after he was hit by Josh Caddy. Rory Sloane had treatment on his right foot in the second quarter but was able to play out the game, as did Daniel Talia, who spent about 15 minutes off the ground in the third term after hyper-extending his knee. Talia had his knee strapped and played out the game.
Richmond: Tigers midfielder Jack Graham reported some leg soreness, but the club believes it's nothing serious.
NEXT UP
The Crows are back at Etihad Stadium for the second time in three weeks, this time to face St Kilda next Saturday night, 7.25pm (AEST). The Tigers have a 10-day break before they take on Hawthorn at the MCG next Sunday, 1.10pm (AEST).
WATCH: Is Tiger in trouble for this 'Caddy-whack'?
ADELAIDE 4.4 11.4 14.7 18.10 (118)
RICHMOND 4.2 9.4 10.9 12.10 (82)
GOALS
Adelaide: Jenkins 5, Walker 4, Sloane 2, Murphy 2, Fogarty 2, Gibbs, Ellis-Yolmen, Greenwood
Richmond: Martin 5, Caddy 3, Edwards, Lambert, Bolton, Townsend
BEST
Adelaide: Laird, Jenkins, Gibbs, Sloane, Jacobs, Hartigan, Ellis-Yolmen
Richmond: Martin, Caddy, Cotchin, Nankervis, Edwards, Short
INJURIES
Adelaide: M.Crouch (hamstring), Mackay (concussion)
Richmond: TBC
Reports: TBC
Umpires: Nicholls, Fleer, Mollison
Official crowd: 49,743 at the Adelaide Oval
