WEST Coast has staged a dramatic second-half fightback to defeat Adelaide by 12 points on Saturday.
Trailing by 33 points early in the third quarter, the Eagles stormed home with 10 goals to three to claim an important victory – 13.7 (85) to 10.13 (73) – in front of a crowd of 41,630 in wet and windy conditions at Adelaide Oval.
With the scores tied late in the game, Eagles youngster Oscar Allen cleverly tapped the ball to himself to run into the open goal.
EAGLES STEAL A BEAUTY Full match details and stats
Jack Darling then slotted a set shot to seal the gritty comeback victory for the reigning premiers, who improve to 7-3 for the season with their fourth straight win.
It is a missed opportunity for the Crows (5-5), who have now lost their past two games after winning four in a row.
It was a war of attrition in the midfield, with the Eagles reigning supreme in the second half.
You can not give Willie Rioli any space! #AFLCrowsEagles pic.twitter.com/mBSJytM4Gs
— AFL (@AFL) May 25, 2019
Luke Shuey had 21 of his 33 touches after the main break, to go with 10 tackles and 10 clearances for the game.
Andrew Gaff was also crucial in the revival, Dom Sheed had 22 contested possessions and Elliot Yeo and Jack Redden were busy with the ball as well as laying 15 tackles each.
Forwards Jack Darling, Josh Kennedy and Jamie Cripps kicked nine goals between them.
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Big bodies Cam Ellis-Yolmen and Hugh Greenwood did the grunt work for the Crows, Brad Crouch brought his own footy and Rory Atkins and Paul Seedsman provided the outside class.
Rory Sloane overcame a slow start with Eagles tagger Mark Hutchings in his pocket to get off the leash the longer the game went on.
Rory Sloane gets on the board early!#AFLCrowsEagles pic.twitter.com/TKpvamfsgh
— AFL (@AFL) May 25, 2019
Wayne Milera was lively for the Crows up forward in his first game back from an AC joint injury, kicking three goals.
The Crows booted six straight goals during the second quarter and the start of the third before the Eagles turned the game on its head.
Eddie's candy store is making some profit!
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Milera finishes and Adelaide lead. #AFLCrowsEagles pic.twitter.com/55iNPoBAJm
The visitors kicked eight of the next nine goals, taking the lead courtesy of a magnificent snap from Cripps hard in the pocket at the nine-minute mark of the last quarter.
Gaff was the catalyst for the resurgence.
The classy outside runner had 12 disposals in the third quarter along with taking multiple intercept marks inside the Crows’ 50m arc, putting himself in the right spot time after time.
Sheed was also influential with 10 touches, while Darling and Cripps were dangerous up forward.
Cripps finds a long awaited response for the Eagles. #AFLCrowsEagles pic.twitter.com/qiL7hySMS4
— AFL (@AFL) May 25, 2019
The umpires were heavily involved, with the Eagles receiving nine free kicks to two in the quarter.
Just as everything was going against the Crows, Milera kicked his third to put the home side back in front before Kennedy responded for the Eagles.
Trailing by seven points at quarter-time, the Crows made their move in the second quarter with five unanswered goals from 11 scoring shots, on the back of dominating the territory battle with 24 inside 50s to five in the quarter.
The Crows led by 28 points at half-time – 7.8 (50) to 3.4 (22).
MEDICAL ROOM
Adelaide: Rory Sloane took a knock to his shoulder in the last quarter, but finished the game.
West Coast: The Eagles reported a clean bill of health
NEXT UP
The Eagles are back at home to host the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium next Sunday afternoon, while the Crows head to Darwin to take on Melbourne at TIO Stadium next Saturday night.
Eddie's boots nearly never arrived #AFLCrowsEagles pic.twitter.com/FC5sW5qWn5
— AFL (@AFL) May 25, 2019
ADELAIDE 2.2 7.8 9.10 10.13 (73)
WEST COAST 3.3 3.4 8.6 13.7 (85)
GOALS
Adelaide: Millera 3, Betts 2, Atkins, Ellis-Yolmen, Sloane, Murphy, Seedsman,
West Coast: Cripps 3, Kennedy 3, Darling 3, Sheed, Petruccelle, Rioli, Allen
BEST
Adelaide: Ellis-Yolmen, Sloane, Greenwood, B.Crouch, Milera, O'Brien
West Coast: Yeo, Gaff, Redden, Sheed, Shuey, Sheppard, Kennedy
INJURIES
Adelaide: David Mackay (illness) replaced in selected side by Riley Knight
West Coast: TBC
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, Stephens, Harris
Official crowd: 41,630 at Adelaide Oval