Adelaide’s SANFL side has fallen short to Glenelg by one point in a thriller at Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon.

After leading for the majority of the afternoon, the Crows couldn’t quell one final Bays push, as Glenelg recorded a crucial behind with just seconds remaining to prevail 10.14 (74) to 11.7 (73).

Here are the five key takeaways from the match.

Game goes down to the wire

The last quarter was action packed, with Adelaide and Glenelg battling it out to the last second.

Adelaide led by 13 points early in the term, but Glenelg fought its way back to level the scores with five minutes remaining.

From there, scores remained even, with neither team able break the deadlock until in the final 30 seconds Glenelg’s Matthew Allen hit the post to give his side a one-point lead and ultimately the win.

“Take the emotion out of it, a one-point loss in a qualifying final, you just sit back and go 'these are the types of games we want to be a part of',” SANFL Senior Coach Matthew Wright said.

“I’m proud of the boys and how they went about it, we went in with a plan and executed it for the majority of the day.”

Special Cook performance

Forward Brayden Cook proved Adelaide’s main source to goal throughout the afternoon, booting a whopping six goals to almost get his team across the line. 

Cook was dynamic throughout the contest, consistently getting into dangerous positions and having an impact whenever the ball entered his vicinity. 

“He was special today, big games and big moments tend to bring out the best of a couple of players and he is one of those,” Wright said

“His contest work was elite and then his ability to take his opportunities, we know he is a skilful player, but he just provided himself a heap of those chances.”

Cook finished with 23 disposals, six marks and two tackles to go with his six goals.

Borlase and Butts limit opponents' impact

Key defenders James Borlase and Jordon Butts were given the jobs on Glenelg’s dangerous forwards, Liam McBean and Ken Farmer Medallist Lachlan Hoise, and were able to limit the Bays’ spearheads.

Adelaide’s backline collectively was on point, keeping Glenelg to 10 goals from 62 entries, with both Borlase and Butts beating their men one-on-one and winning the ball themselves on numerous occasions.

“They were huge today, they won a lot of their contests today,” Wright said.

“Against a quality they are going to get their looks from time-to-time, but overall, I was really proud of our defensive group.”

Borlase amassed 20 disposals, six marks and 13 rebound 50s, while Butts finished with 10 disposals, five marks – four contested – and four rebound 50s.

Schoenberg leads from the front

On-baller Harry Schoenberg led the way through the middle of the ground, stepping up when his team needed him.

The most pleasing part of Schoenberg’s performance was how he stepped up in the leadership space, according to Wright, with SANFL Skipper Jack Madgen sidelined with a hip injury

“Harry was another leader out there today without Madgen I thought he really stepped up in the leadership space,” he said.

“He leads his teammates well with his actions, but also his communication, and today was really solid.”

Schoenberg finished with 29 disposals, six tackles, six clearances and seven inside 50s.

McAndrew’s return

Ruckman Lachlan McAndrew returned to action - having not played since Round 15 due to a broken jaw - and had an immediate effect, dominating the ruck and his direct opponent around the ground.

McAndrew’s follow up work was a highlight of his performance, as he made seven tackles and recorded nine clearances.

“He was awesome today, he leads from the front, and you want your big fellas playing big,” Wright said.

“He was outstanding, his ability to give us control around the stoppage but also there were some desperate moments where he was diving across the footy and going back with the flight.”

McAndrew finished with 17 disposals, three marks and 42 hitouts.

Adelaide’s SANFL side will continue its State League Finals campaign when it takes on Norwood in the First Semi Final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, with the first bounce at 12:15pm.

ADELAIDE: 4.1  7.3  9.7  11.7  (73)

GLENELG: 2.5  5.8  7.12  10.14  (74)

GOALS:

Adelaide: Cook 6, Burgess, Welsh, Nankervis, Schoenberg, Strachan

Glenelg: Hosie 3, Bailey 2, McGree, McBean, Partington, Allen, Reynolds

Best: Cook, Borlase, McAndrew, Schoenberg, J.Boyle