Enigmatic Adelaide forward Josh Jenkins kicked four goals in a 21-point upset win over Collingwood in Thursday night's clash at Adelaide Oval.
The Crows squared their win-loss record at four-all with a 10.16 (76) to 7.13 (55) victory in front of a sell-out 50,051-strong crowd at Adelaide Oval.
However, the match wasn't without controversy after a contentious goal was awarded to Crow Josh Jenkins after the three-quarter time siren.
The siren wasn’t heard over the boisterous crowd initially and the goal was allowed. However, TV replays showed the clock counting down to zero while Jenkins was walking into goal.
Jenkins' talents proved the difference in the end, slotting three of his goals in a purple patch in the second term, while his teammate Richard Douglas booted two goals.
Onballer Patrick Dangerfield (32 disposals, including 20 contested possessions) was outstanding for Adelaide and defender Brodie Smith (25 touches), first-gamer Charlie Cameron and rugged midfielder Scott Thompson (31 possessions) were influential.
Crows coach Brenton Sanderson said that after the club's three-point loss to Melbourne at Adelaide Oval in round seven, it was crucial to put in a determined performance at home.
"We're a very proud team, we're a very proud football club, we were very embarrassed with the effort we put in for a half last time we played here – that sat in our guts for 10 days," Sanderson said.
"It was really important that we came out tonight and showed our fans, showed the 19th man that we weren't happy and we weren't content with what you saw last time we played here."
Collingwood, now with five wins and three losses this season, was brilliantly led by captain Scott Pendlebury (33 disposals) and his midfield colleague Dayne Beams (30 possessions).
But the Magpies struggled for attacking threats - they couldn't find a multiple goalkicker and kicked just one goal in the last half.
Collingwood, driven by Pendlebury and Beams, opened strongly to create a 3.3 to 1.4 lead at quarter-time.
Skipper Pendlebury shrugged his tagger Sam Kerridge to collect 11 disposals in the opening term and the creative Beams gathered 10 touches in ominous signs for the Crows.
Beams doubled his possession tally in the second quarter but Adelaide hit back as tall forward Jenkins slotted three goals.
Jenkins stole the spotlight from his attacking partner Taylor Walker, playing his first game in more than a year after having a knee reconstruction.
Walker roamed up the ground but appeared rusty, scoring four points - three in the final term.
Collingwood led 6.6 to 5.6 at half-time before a defining rally from the Crows produced the initial three goals of the third quarter.
Impressive debutant Cameron scored one of the goals and Jenkins potted his fourth to help Crows to a 9.10 to 7.8 three-quarter time advantage.
Adelaide extended its lead seven minutes into the last term when Eddie Betts kicked a goal - the only major in a gruelling final quarter as the Magpies missed a series of shots to cruel their winning chances.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley denied his side underrated the Crows in the lead up to the game, claiming the Magpies simply didn't earn the win.
"Any opposition we come against we do respect and every game you come into in this competition you've got to earn the right to be in it and then you've got to earn the win," Buckley said.
"So we've earned five wins this year and we've failed three times to do enough work to get it on our terms."
ADELAIDE 1.4 5.6 9.10 10.16 (76)
COLLINGWOOD 3.3 6.6 7.8 7.13 (55)
GOALS
Adelaide: Jenkins 4, Douglas 2, Jaensch, Podsiadly, Cameron, Betts
Collingwood: Lumumba, Pendlebury, Beams, Blair, Swan, Cloke, White
BEST
Adelaide: Dangerfield, Jenkins, Talia, Jacobs, Douglas, Thompson
Collingwood: Pendlebury, Langdon, Beams, Sidebottom, Lumumba
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Collingwood: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: Matthew Wright replaced by Matt Crouch in the fourth quarter
Collingwood: Jarrod Witts replaced by Sam Dwyer in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Ryan, Findlay, McInerney
Official crowd: 50,051 at Adelaide Oval
