Adelaide succumbed to a seven-point loss against North Melbourne in a thrilling Qualifying Final at Ikon Park on Friday night.
The Kangaroos came from behind to defeat the Crows, 5.8 (38) to 5.1 (31).
It was a see-sawing match, with both teams in control for long periods of the game, however a dominant third quarter by the Kangaroos, whereby small forward Bella Eddey kicked two goals in a five-minute period, returned the game into the home side’s favour.
From there, the Kangaroos were able to hold off the Crows, finishing strongly and walking away with victory.
Adelaide veteran Chelsea Randall played arguably one of the best games of her career, finishing with 22 disposals and two goals, but her heroic efforts weren't enough to get her team over the line.
North opened the scoring inside the first two minutes when Tahlia Randall, who was kept goalless the last time these two teams met, used her body expertly on the in-form Zoe Prowse to mark and convert close to goal.
However, that was about the only highlight for the quarter for the Roos as Adelaide lifted and began to gain ascendancy.
The Crows scored the next two through their most dangerous forwards Danielle Ponter - who came into the game under an injury cloud - and tall marking forward Caitlin Gould.
It looked like the Crows had won the quarter until a controversial free kick for a deliberate rushed behind was awarded to North forward Kate Shierlaw just prior to quarter-time.
The free kick didn't seem to concern the Crows as they continued to dominate territory in the second term, having 10-1 inside-50s for the quarter.
But they were unable to turn those entries into scores.
Randall finally broke the deadlock when the 33-year-old executed a sensational chase-down tackle in the middle of the ground.
She played on quickly and delivered to Gould who marked and scored her second goal, giving the Crows a five-point lead at the main break.
North needed a spark to lift them in the second half and it came through crafty small forward Eddey.
She kicked two goals to start the third term, showing her versatility with a goal on the run and her second through a snap shot on goal to give her team the lead again.
Jasmine Garner (29 disposals, 10 clearances) and her partner in crime Ash Ridell (34 disposals, 10 clearances) started to have more influence for the hosts, with the two combining for 15 disposals and nine inside 50s for the quarter.
The Roos added another to their tally through unlikely goalkicker Amy Smith and went into the three-quarter time break with a 10-point lead.
Both teams had their opportunities to start the final term, with the Crows' Niamh Kelly hitting the post and North's Vikki Wall missing twice from set shots.
When the Crows needed a player to step up once again it was Randall who scored, converting a set shot with two minutes remaining and reducing the margin to seven points.
The Crows will now mee the winner of the Fremantle v Essendon Elimination Final being played on Saturday night.
SCOREBOARD
NORTH MELBOURNE 2.1 2.1 5.4 5.8 (38)
ADELAIDE 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.1 (31)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Eddey 2, Shierlaw, T.Randall, Smith
Adelaide: Randall 2, Gould 2, Ponter
