Taylor Walker’s last-minute goal gave Adelaide an unlikely one-point victory over the previously unbeaten Melbourne at Adelaide Oval.

The Crows had lost their previous five games but stayed within touch of the ladder leaders for most of the game until (then Melbourne player) Clayton Oliver kicked a goal to put his side 16 points ahead with eight minutes to play.

Walker, however, marked on the lead in the forward pocket and replied less than a minute later and then Darcy Fogarty’s set shot from 50m with about four minutes left set up a gripping finish.

Nick Murray’s inspiring tackle on Dees ruck Max Gawn on the outer wing allowed the Crows to surge. It was Rory Sloane who hacked the ball forward and his then Co-Captain Walker who took a clever mark about 30 metres out from the northern goals.

Walker calmly kicked his third goal of the game to give the Crows the lead and they held on for a memorable 15.6 (96) to 14.11 (95) win.

Ben Keays starred for the Crows with two goals, 34 disposals and seven tackles, while Paul Seedsman collected a team-high 35 disposals, seven marks and 657 metres gained.

There was extra reason to celebrate with it being rookie forward Riley Thilthorpe’s first win as a Crow, in his fifth AFL game.

But the win failed to revive Adelaide’s season and it won only three more games from the next 12 games. 

Melbourne recovered from the upset loss to finish as minor premiers and then won its first two finals before overpowering the Western Bulldogs in the Grand Final played in Perth due to the COVID-19 restrictions.