Round 17 v Geelong, Adelaide Oval
On the back of vice-captain Rory Sloane signing a five-year contract extension, Adelaide held its nerve against Geelong as the Cats remained just one step behind for much of the game.
After trailing early on, the Crows kicked four consecutive goals in the second and held off multiple attempted comebacks from the Cats.
The confident Rory trio led the way: Rory Laird (43 disposals), Rory Sloane (27) and Rory Atkins (28
SEASON REVIEW: Rory Sloane
Tom Lynch (four goals) dominated the forward 50 as young Crow Lachlan Murphy (three) stepped up.
Murphy kicked the final goal of the game after Geelong came within eight points.
The final 10 minutes were goalless as a tense finish played out at Adelaide Oval.
ADELAIDE 4.3 7.9 13.15 16.16 (112)
GEELONG 3.3 6.7 10.9 14.13 (97)
GOALS: Lynch 4, Murphy 3, Jenkins 2, Gallucci 2, Brown, Atkins, Betts, Sloane, Walker
BEST: Laird, Lynch, Atkins, Sloane, Crouch, Milera, Doedee
Round 18 v Brisbane, Gabba
Adelaide had to overcome injuries against a resurgent Brisbane and hold on for a tight five-point win over Brisbane at the Gabba.
Concussions to Tom Doedee and Lachlan Murphy had the Crows down to just two fit players on the bench in the final term and Brisbane pounced on the tiring side, booting four goals in the quarter.
Brisbane made it a one-goal margin thanks to a goal after the siren.
SEASON REVIEW: Hugh Greenwood
Hugh Greenwood thrived in the forward line in the absence of Taylor Walker, booting four goals and winning 14 contested possessions.
Matt Crouch (40) was influential through the middle, Wayne Milera (22) had seven marks in
BRISBANE 4.1 8.2 9.7 13.10 (88)
ADELAIDE 3.4 9.7 12.11 13.15 (93)
GOALS: Greenwood 4, Jenkins 2, Knight 2, Betts, Gallucci, Gibbs, Laird, Seedsman
BEST: Laird, Greenwood, Crouch, Milera, Jenkins
Round 19 v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval
A disappointing third quarter saw Adelaide suffer a 13-point loss to the Demons in Round 19.
The Crows led by 20 points at the 15-minute mark of the second term before Melbourne kicked nine of the next 10 goals to lead by 32 at the final break.
SEASON REVIEW: Jordan Gallucci
Eddie Betts (two goals), Jordan Gallucci and Taylor Walker all scored goals in the final term to breathe life into the clash for Adelaide but the margin proved too large to overturn.
Matt Crouch (32 disposals) led the side once again, supported by Bryce Gibbs (27), Wayne Milera (26) and Rory Laird (25).
ADELAIDE 4.4 6.8 7.10 10.17 (77)
MELBOURNE 3.1 5.7 12.11 13.12 (90)
GOALS: Greenwood 2, Betts 2, Seedsman, Gibbs, Murphy, Atkins, Gallucci, Walker
BEST: Crouch, Milera, Laird, Gibbs, Atkins
Round 20 v Port Adelaide, Adelaide Oval
Showdown 45 provided even more drama than Showdown 44 as Josh Jenkins’ match-saving goal survived a controversial score review to secure the win for Adelaide.
With less than three minutes to play, Jenkins snapped a goal to put the Crows up by two after Eddie Betts previously erased a double-digit margin and Adelaide held on to win by three.
SEASON REVIEW: Josh Jenkins
Port Adelaide led for much of the game but were always under pressure from the likes of Matt Crouch (35 disposals and one goal), Rory Atkins (29), Bryce Gibbs (29) and Rory Sloane (26 and two goals).
Josh Jenkins had another top-shelf performance with a team-high three goals.
Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray took out the Showdown Medal, although Matt Crouch was the unanimous best on
ADELAIDE 5.3 7.8 9.14 13.18 (96)
PORT ADELAIDE 5.3 9.5 10.9 14.9 (93)
GOALS: Jenkins 3, Sloane 2, Walker, Murphy, Greenwood, Gallucci, Lynch, Doedee, Crouch, Betts
BEST: Crouch, Gibbs, Jenkins, Sloane, Atkins, Doedee
