The Adelaide Crows won their first AFL final since 2017 in defeating the Western Bulldogs by 22 points at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, and set up a semifinal date at the Gabba with the reigning premiers next week.
Here are three things we learned from the game:
Matthew Nicks' job is safe, for now
There was a lot of speculation about the Adelaide coach's future in the lead-up to this clash. It was reported by Channel 7's Tom Morris that Nicks might even have been sacked if the Crows lost to the Bulldogs on Saturday night. That premise was then labelled as "utterly ridiculous" by James Hird on ESPN Footy Central.
The report from Morris clearly had substance, and if you step back and look at Nicks' tenure, you can understand why. He has been in charge of the Crows since 2020 and was yet to win a final despite being at the helm of a talented list. Last year, his side finished top of the ladder with 18 wins and was bundled out in straight sets -- the first minor premier to have done so in more than 40 years. This year it was 15 wins for the Crows, and they were coming up against the Bulldogs (who had to play last week) at home.
A loss could have been enough for the Crows' hierarchy to pull the trigger.
Well, it's a moot point, at least for now. Adelaide won a see-sawing battle, and move on to face the two-time minor premiers Brisbane, who faltered to the understrength Swans in a clash many thought might have been a fait accompli for the Lions.
The Crows' players have rallied around their under-pressure coach, too. Being interviewed on the ground by Morris after the game, retiring veteran Taylor Walker was quick to chirp the reporter about his story in an entertaining exchange.
"We've got three more games to go, much to your disgust," Walker said. Then, asked about the week of speculation, Walker said: "You started it."
Nicks also received a standing ovation from fans in the vicinity of the coaches box as time ticked down.
It's now extremely unlikely a semifinal loss to the Lions at the Gabba will bring the pitchforks back out. Nicks is safe, for now.
Dogs had the chance to break the Crows, but fluffed
When Aaron Naughton took a mark 25 metres out from goal, directly in front, with 14:50 remaining in the fourth term, murmurings were spreading around Adelaide Oval. Discontent, worry, stress, nerves. The Dogs had kicked three goals in a row to level the scores after the Crows skipped out to a 19-point lead at three-quarter time.
But Naughton hit the post -- his third such of the game -- and the Dogs snuck into the lead but only by a behind. It was from that moment the game flipped and the Crows regained some composure, possession, and momentum.
Riley Thilthorpe nailed a tough shot from 45 out on a tight angle a couple of minutes later, then Taylor Walker sent the Adelaide Oval crowd ballistic by saluting in his final game in front of home fans, and the result was just about decided then and there. There was no way the Crows were giving up a second lead after that.
Goals followed from Darcy Fogarty, Izak Rankine, and then Josh Rachele - five in a row and the Dogs just couldn't stem the flow, the eventual margin 22 points. Insult to injury? The Bulldogs won the game on expected scores (xScores).
Izak Rankine's first final was worth the wait
The Crows star was in the hottest of form coming into September -- averaging 24 Rating Points per game in his last seven games leading into finals -- and footy fans across the country were looking forward to seeing what he could produce in his first final at AFL level.
Rankine famously missed last year's straight sets exit after being banned for four games for using an anti-gay slur against a Collingwood opponent in the final home-and-away game of the year.
Well, Rankine was one of the best on the ground, gathering 34 disposals, seven clearances, five inside 50s, and kicking two goals to tally 17.9 Rating Points - his seventh-best outing for the year.
His goals were important; a classy set shot in the third term when the match was in the balance, and a sealer to send the crowd into raptures and send the Crows to Brisbane full of optimism and momentum.
He's a big game player, Rankine, and we'll all get the chance to see him go to work again next Saturday night.
