Crows stun Port in AFL

A highly-strung Adelaide pipped arch-rival Port Adelaide by three points in a Sunday classic to climb back into the AFL’s top eight.

The Crows prevailed 18.8 (116) to 17.11 (113) in an emotionally-charged match dedicated to their slain coach Phil Walsh.

Before a bumper 54,468-strong crowd – the largest for any sporting event at the redeveloped Adelaide Oval – seasoned Crows Sam Jacobs and Scott Thompson dominated in a win which leaves Port’s finals hopes hanging by a thread.

The Power are anchored in 12th spot, some 10 premiership points behind the eighth-placed Crows.

Adelaide held a six-goal lead midway through the third term but Port stormed home only to ultimately fall short.

After both clubs ran through a joint banner in honour of Walsh, who also spent 11 years as an assistant coach at Port, Jacobs imperiously ruled the rucks.

Jacobs recorded 51 hit outs and fed a hungry midfield led by Thompson (36 disposals), Richard Douglas (27 touches) and Patrick Dangerfield (27 disposals).

The onballers offered gold-plated service to an attack featuring captain Taylor Walker and Josh Jenkins, who both potted three goals, and Eddie Betts and Tom Lynch, who each kicked two.

Port, with just six wins in a season when they were touted as flag fancies, were overwhelmed despite forwards Jay Schulz, Chad Wingard and Paddy Ryder banking three-goal hauls.

Power skipper Travis Boak (32 possessions) and Hamish Hartlett (25 touches) were gallant but Port paid for a sluggish start.

Adelaide kicked the initial three goals and 20 minutes into the second term held a 36-point lead.

That advantage came despite the Crows losing backman Daniel Talia, who was crunched in a marking pack and concussed midway through the second stanza.

Port staged a courageous late fightback but the Crows just hung on for a stirring win, despite not scoring a goal in the last quarter.

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