A BARNSTORMING finish from Adelaide has fallen agonisingly short, with the Crows losing to North Melbourne by nine points at Etihad Stadium after trailing by eight goals at the last change.

Listless and lacking aggression for three quarters, the Crows staged a spectacular comeback to kick seven goals to nil in the final term, but couldn’t rein in the Roos, who won 12.12 (84) to 11.9 (75).

For all their last-quarter heroics, the Crows recorded their seventh loss of the season and are now certain to miss the finals.

Skipper Simon Goodwin collected 27 disposals with eight of them in the final term, while forward Taylor Walker managed three goals.

The Crows were unable to capitalise on a five-minute opening burst in the first term, with just one goal from Richard Douglas to show for their dominance, and the Kangaroos snatched back the momentum when Harvey snapped truly at the 12-minute mark.

A brilliant no-look left-foot snap by mercurial midfielder Andrew McLeod gave the Crows some cheer in an otherwise dour first quarter showing.

McLeod’s goal halted a three-goal North run, but Roos skipper Brent Harvey responded superbly with his second less than a minute later.

Walker’s errant shot late in the first term - made worse with two of his teammates alone in the goal square - left the Crows two goals in arrears.

The Crows tepid finish to the first term continued into the second term as the Roos kicked clear with a four goals to nil quarter.

Leigh Harding opened proceedings with two goals in as many minutes, while Daniel Wells’ first goal of the game blew out the the Roos’ lead to 36 points late in quarter.

In the third term, the lead was stretched to 53 points as North piled on four goals to two, but the thrilling final quarter kept fans in their seats until the final siren.

North Melbourne    4.3    8.4    12.11    12.12 (84)
Adelaide        2.3    2.4    4.5    11.9 (75)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Harvey 3, Swallow 2, Harding 2, Edwards 2, Wells, Thomas, Goldstein
Adelaide: Walker 3, Porplyzia 2, McLeod, Petrenko, Stevens, Cook, Vince, Tippett
 
BEST
North Melbourne: Rawlings, Swallow, Wells, Goldstein, Harvey, Edwards
Adelaide: McLeod, Armstron, Bock, Walker, Goodwin, Rutten, Schmidt
 
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Hale (back spasms)
Adelaide: Nil
 
Reports: Nil
 
Umpires: Nicholls, Jeffery, Keating

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs