His last goal with 55 seconds remaining was controversial as he marked over the Swans’ Andrew Schauble when the ball appeared to have gone over the line for a behind.
And with 22 seconds left, Sydney’s Adam Goodes had the chance to be the hero for Sydney when he marked 48 metres out, but his kick went out on the full.
This was Carey’s best game for the Crows, and his highest tally, and it could not have come at a better time as Adelaide climbed the ladder and turned the heat on the Swans. He finished with 13 kicks, six marks, and kicked 5.3.
Adelaide captain Mark Ricciuto won the toss and kicked with a northerly breeze, but for most of the first quarter it seemed little advantage as Sydney checked closely and made the most of scoring chances.
However, the problem was finding options kicking out, and often held up play. Not surprisingly, the pressure became too great and chinks in the armor emerged, starting with Ian Perrie showing strength in the packs and handballing to Graham Johncock for an easy goal.
The Carey factor then came into play. His mere presence across half-forward troubled Sydney, especially with two strong marks and a hard-earned goal. Brett Burton chipped in with a goal, too, and Sydney’s earlier defensive work was soon forgotten as the Crows led by 21 points at quarter time.
Adelaide looked as if it would ‘take the game apart’ when it kicked two goals within 30 seconds to lead by 32 points, but typically Sydney was rewarded for its persistence.
A significant moment came in time-on when Carey marked on the run, and goaled from 50 metres. The belief he was ‘passed it’ from this distance was purely nonsense, and there is no doubt this magical moment will enhance his confidence going into the finals.
Adelaide outscored Sydney by a point against the breeze in the second quarter, but given the fact it had entered its 50-metre zone 30-17 for the half, the lead should have been greater.
The Crows again looked like surging when Johncock kicked his third minutes into the third term, but still it was not to be. Sydney worked incredibly hard, tightened play, and created opportunities. The Crows became frustrated by legitimate frees against it, and lost concentration and at times application.
A gallant Sydney punished Adelaide when it mis-kicked, and shut its half-forward line down. Barry Hall and Michael O’Loughlin, who had little impact in the first half, led the rescue mission, and remarkably Sydney got within a point at the 24-minute mark.
But Carey, in a one-out situation, flung Jason Saddington to the turf, took a one-handed juggling mark and goaled. The scene was set for a great finish as the Crows led by eight points at the last change.
Carey kicked his fourth goal when he virtually ‘stole’ the ball out of the hands of Ben Matthews, but Sydney still wouldn’t lie down. The Crows couldn’t penetrate their forwards line, but equally frustrating for Sydney was the fact it was hustled into errors deep in its attack.
The game turned into an all-out slog, and it required someone to do something special. The ‘King’ entered the domain yet again, denying an incredibly brave Sydney an unlikely win. Given the tension, this was football at its best.
ADELAIDE: 5.5, 10.7, 12.9, 14.13 (97)
SYDNEY: 2.2, 7.3, 11.7, 14.9 (93)
GOALS: Adelaide: Carey 5, Johncock 3, Ladhams 2, Stenglein, Perrie, McLeod, Burton.
Sydney: Hall 3, Kennelly, Cresswell, Williams, O’Loughlin 2, O’Keefe, Bolton, Schneider.
BEST: Adelaide: Carey, Edwards, Clarke, Burton, Ladhams, Shirley.
Sydney: Bolton, Davis, Fosdike, Hall, Kennelly, Williams, Kirk.
INJURIES: Sydney: Barry (cut head)
REPORTS: Nil
UMPIRES: Vosso, James, McLaren
CROWD: 46,945 at AAMI Stadium
