One of the biggest rollercoaster rides in Crows finals history ended with Adelaide finishing on a high against Melbourne in 2002.

Forced to play at the MCG instead of at home, Adelaide stunned the Demons with an eight-goal first term but in a remarkable turnaround Melbourne fought back to lead by 29 points late in the third quarter.

Adelaide was not finished, however, and stormed home to advance to the preliminary final.

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.

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 kept surging ahead 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 but 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.

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