A five-goal second-half blitz by underdogs Collingwood has denied Adelaide a spot in the 2018 AFL Women’s grand final with the Magpies scoring an upset 21-point win.
The equation for the Crows was simple – beat the Magpies at Olympic Park on Sunday and book a spot in the premiership decider against the Western Bulldogs at Ikon Park Park next week.
But the 2017 champions fell at the final hurdle, squandering a 17-point lead as the home side booted five goals to none in the second half to win 8.5 (53) to 4.8 (32).
The Bulldogs will now face the Brisbane Lions in Saturday’s grand final, with the Lions aiming for redemption after losing last year’s decider to the Crows.
Jasmine Garner got the Magpies off to the perfect start with the first goal of the game but that seemed to jolt Adelaide into action.
The Crows piled on the next eight scoring shots to open up a 17-point lead early in the second quarter but only three of those were goals to Ruth Wallace, Anne Hatchard and Jenna McCormick.
If not for their inaccuracy, Adelaide could have ended the contest early but they left the door ajar for Collingwood and the hosts didn’t need a second invitation to make them pay.
With Adelaide vice-captain Chelsea Randall spending the second half on the bench due to a head knock, after being best on ground in the first half with 14 disposals in defence, the Magpies capitalised to boot three of the next four majors and cut the deficit to five points.
A pair of Christina Bernardi goals either side of three-quarter time handed Collingwood a seven-point lead.
Lauren Tresoriero and Garner both split the big sticks late in the final term to add further salt to Adelaide’s wound and deny the Crows a second consecutive grand final berth.