Adelaide had been competing in the AFL for only three seasons when it first reached a preliminary final. And at half-time of this game, the Crows seemed headed to their first grand final.
Adelaide had surprised by overcoming finals hardened Hawthorn at the MCG in the Club’s first final but then lost to Carlton, forcing the Crows into a preliminary final against Essendon.
A seven-goal half-time lead, however, was not enough and Essendon charged home to win by 11 points, 17.9 (111) to 14.16 (100). A week later the Bombers beat Carlton by 44 points to win the 1993 premiership.
In 1997, Adelaide recorded wins over West Coast and Geelong to earn the right to take on the Western Bulldogs in a preliminary final at the MCG.
This time it was the Crows who came from behind. Down by 31 points at half-time and 22 points at the last change, Adelaide kicked four goals to nil in the last term to win a thriller by two points, 12.21 (93) to 13.13 (91).
A week later Adelaide had won its first AFL premiership.
Adelaide took a different path to the preliminary final in 1998 but this time clinched a resounding 68-point win over the Western Bulldogs, 24.17 (161) to 13.15 (93) at the MCG.
A week later, the Crows had two premierships from consecutive grand finals.
It was 2002 before Adelaide reached another preliminary final. Forced to play Collingwood at the MCG despite finishing higher on the ladder, the Crows held a narrow lead at half-time but were overwhelmed in the second half and lost by 28 points, 13.13 (91) to 9.9 (63).
Adelaide was the minor premier in 2005 but lost its first home final - and the right to a home preliminary final. The Crows bounced back from the loss to thrash Port Adelaide by 83 points in the first semi final but then had to travel to Perth for the preliminary final and lost to West Coast 14.9 (93) to 11.11 (77).
In 2006 Adelaide booked a home preliminary final with a five goal win over Fremantle at AAMI Stadium.
Another grand final appearance appeared likely at half-time when Adelaide led West Coast by 22 points but the Eagles dominated the last half and won by ten points, 11.19 (85) to 11.9 (75).
