When Adelaide forward Josh Rachele lost his footing late in the Elimination Final against the Western Bulldogs, there was little time to think.

Yet in the space of a few seconds, the young Crow produced one of the night's most memorable moments with a dazzling snap from deep inside 50.

Rachele's third goal of the night came with just 40 seconds remaining, putting the finishing touches on Adelaide's Elimination Final win against the Western Bulldogs.

Reflecting on the goal, Rachele said it came off the back of hard running from teammate Brayden Cook, and some crafty footwork after slipping.

“It’s pretty relieving to get that win down,” Rachele said.

“I thought I was on, and Cooky did a nice kick inside, and I slipped over, but I thought this was an opportunity just to make something happen.

“I probably had a couple of boys in the goalsquare I could have given it off to, but I was pretty happy that it went through in the end, and it was just the icing on the cake in a great team performance.”

The Crows’ win didn’t come without a fight, with three consecutive Bulldogs goals giving the visitors a one-point advantage eight minutes into the final term.

Key forward Riley Thilthorpe steadied the ship for the Crows, before goals to Taylor Walker, another to Thilthorpe and one Darcy Fogarty, helped Adelaide maintain momentum and book a Semi-Final berth.

Rachele said it was a reward for all the effort across the past 12 months after bowing out in last year's finals series with back-to-back losses.

“It was just such a good team performance, so mature,” Rachele said.

“It was such a different feeling this year, I think last year having the majority of the team not play finals, we didn't really know what to expect. 

“This year, we just embraced the pressure, going in with the mindset that we've got three to get now.

“It's just instilling that confidence within another, and even the six guys that played their first final tonight, like they just didn't look out of place.”

Rachele heaped praise on his fellow forwards in Fogarty, Walker and Thilthorpe, who all converted long-range set-shot opportunities in the final term.

He also highlighted defensive duo Josh Worrell and Mark Keane for battling away in the backline and repelling countless Dogs’ attacks.

Worrell enjoyed a career-best night, recording 34 disposals, 19 intercepts, 16 contested possessions, and 10 marks.

”There were a couple of big moments like Fog kicking that last goal, Riley's goal, Tex’s goal, and then just our backs tonight, just how ruthless they were. 

“Worrell, Keaney, they were the ones who were the ones who were standing out.

“Tex is another one who is just so positive. We’ve got so many leaders in our forward line, so we’re able to stay calm and execute to our advantage.”

The game was Walker’s last at Adelaide Oval having announced he will retire at the conclusion of Adelaide’s season.

Rachele said it was emotional to see the Club great and all-time leading goalkicker walk off the Crows’ home deck for the final time.

But he hoped Adelaide’s finals campaign and Walker’s career would continue to roll on for a few more weeks.

“Its hard to put into words what he means to the football Club. It'd be pretty emotional for him that it’s his last game at Adelaide Oval,” Rachele said.

“He's just been such an icon at this football Club, and we’re going to try and go all the way for him.”

Adelaide will now face Brisbane in a Semi-Final at The Gabba on Saturday, September 12, at 7.05pm (ACST).

Tickets will go on sale on Monday, September 7, via Ticketmaster, from 9.30am-1.30pm (ACST) for Club Members, and 2.30pm (ACST) for the general public.