Adelaide and Melbourne were involved in one of the most seesawing finals of the modern era on this day in 2002.

Forced to play a second semi-final at the MCG instead of at home on the back of an unsuccessful trip to Brisbane, Adelaide stunned the Demons with an eight-goal first term.

The Crows, celebrating milestone games for Nigel Smart (250) and Tyson Edwards (150), were outstanding early and led by 40 points when Bryan Beinke snapped the last goal of the opening term.

In a remarkable turnaround, however, Melbourne fought back by kicking seven goals in the second term.

Former Crow, 1998 premiership forward Peter Vardy, helped spark Melbourne’s revival with three goals and when Travis Johnstone kicked a brace of goals early in the third term the Demons hit the front for the first time.

They led by 29 points late in the third term before Edwards cut the margin to 22 points at the last change.

It was the first of five consecutive goals to Adelaide, with Andrew McLeod converting from a free to regain the lead. Mark Stevens then booted his fourth goal before Melbourne hit back, David Neitz’s fifth goal cutting the margin to two points.

But Adelaide secured an amazing win when Brett Burton ran onto a bouncing ball in the goalsquare.

The Crows returned to the MCG the following weekend but fell away after half-time and lost to Collingwood by 28 points.

Second Semi-Final, MCG, September 14 2002

Adelaide 20.10 (130) d Melbourne 17.16 (118)

Goals: M. Stevens 4, Edwards, McGregor, McLeod, Burton, Beinke, Goodwin 2, Ladhams, Johnson, Welsh, Bode

Best: Edwards, Johnson, Stenglein, Clarke, Johncock, Goodwin, M. Stevens