Matthew Nicks' Adelaide has defeated the Western Bulldogs by 22 points to secure a breakthrough finals victory.
In champion Taylor Walker's final game at Adelaide Oval, the Crows were forced to overcome a frightening Bulldogs fourth-quarter comeback to secure the 14.6 (90) to 9.14 (68) Elimination Final triumph.
With all the momentum with the Bulldogs, and the shadow of last year's straight-sets exit looming large, crucial goals to key talls Riley Thilthorpe, Walker and Darcy Fogarty and an Izak Rankine stunner helped the Crows progress.
Adelaide duo Josh Worrell (34 disposals and 19 intercept possessions) and Wayne Milera (27 disposals at 100 per cent efficiency) were outstanding in defence, while Rankine (34 disposals and two goals) was all class through the midfield.
Despite the Bulldogs winning the centre clearances 17-7 and inside-50s 61-49, Adelaide made the most of its opportunities inside 50 with Josh Rachele finishing with three goals.
The Bulldogs were forced into a very late change when reliable defender Michael Sellwood was concussed in the warm-up and replaced by South Australian forward Lachie McNeil.
Luke Beveridge's side was forced to shuffle the defensive deckchairs, but it was Adelaide's backline that was under pressure early.
Despite nailing the opening goal inside two minutes courtesy of Fogarty, the Bulldogs' swift stoppage work and quick hands saw them win nine of the first 12 inside-50s.
Ed Richards (27 disposals and two goals) soon had their first, but goals to Ben Keays and Brayden Cook made the visitors pay for their inaccuracy. The Crows led by a goal at the first change and, crucially, they had won a quarter of finals football.
The second term was a case of momentum swings, with both sides enjoying positive stretches. Opposing livewires Rachele and Arty Jones were responsible for two goals apiece as the same margin separated the sides at the half.
With Adelaide's backline holding up well, the Crows had the game on their terms in the third term and extended their lead courtesy of goals to Rankine and Keays.
The Bulldogs were pressured into making a number of unforced errors by foot, and struggled to find a target when they went inside 50.
Just when you thought the Crows would run away with it, the Bulldogs found their bark again early in the final term. With Buku Khamis thrown forward, back-to-back goals from Will Lewis and a superb long-range effort from Richards sent a collective shiver down the spine of the Crows faithful.
However, it was short lived as Adelaide showed determination and grit to halt the Dogs' momentum and kick away to secure one of the most important wins in the club's history.
In doing so, it booked a Semi-Final date with the two-time reigning premier Brisbane at the Gabba.
SCOREBOARD
ADELAIDE 3.1 7.2 9.5 14.6 (90)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.7 5.8 5.10 9.14 (68)
GOALS
Adelaide: Rachele 3, Cook 2, Keays 2, Fogarty 2, Rankine 2, Ah Chee, Thilthorpe, Walker
Western Bulldogs: Jones 2, Lewis 2, Richards 2, Freijah, Naughton, Sanders
BEST
Adelaide: Worrell, Milera, Rankine, Rachele, Dawson, Fogarty, Cook
Western Bulldogs: Richards, Freijah, Bontempelli, Williams, Hynes
LATE CHANGES
Adelaide: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Michael Sellwood replaced in selected side by Lachie McNeil
Crowd: 51,370 at Adelaide Oval
