Adelaide’s 1998 premiership campaign did not follow the 1997 template, with the fifth-placed Crows losing to Melbourne at the MCG in the first week of the finals.

This sent the Crows to Sydney for a knock-out semi-final and suddenly another premiership seemed a long way off.

But in drenching rain on a waterlogged SCG, Adelaide found its way back on to the road to consecutive flags with a 27-point win over the Swans, who had finished the minor round in third spot and won their first final against St Kilda.

One of the heroes was Peter Vardy, who missed the 1997 premiership because of a broken collarbone and then had his 1998 series threatened by a bruised heel.

On a night when most players struggled to kick the ball accurately over any distance, Vardy’s six goals from 19 disposals (and a game-high seven clearances) lifted Adelaide into a preliminary final.

Starting on a wing, Vardy kicked the opening goal and then another in the second term before a burst of three goals in five minutes midway through the third term stretched Adelaide’s lead from 13 to 32 points. His sixth goal early in the last quarter closed down any hope of a late Swans charge.

Andrew McLeod was also in doubt for the trip because of knee soreness but kicked three goals and David Pittman held champion Sydney full forward Tony Lockett to one goal.

Vardy’s battle with his heel injury continued for another fortnight but he played in both the preliminary final and grand final wins, earning his first premiership medal.

Second Semi-Final, MCG, September 12 1998

Adelaide 14.10 (94) d Sydney 10.7 (67)

Goals: Vardy 6, McLeod, James 3, Ricciuto, Rehn 1.

Best: Vardy, Smart, Hart, McLeod, Ricciuto, Rehn, Caven