Adelaide have sent an ominous warning to tomorrow’s preliminary finalists, dominating Geelong from just about start to finish in an emphatic 61-point victory.
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Final score
Adelaide Crows 21.10.136
Geelong Cats 10.15.75
A spot in the grand final – as well as bragging rights in the Patrick Dangerfield deal – is up for grabs as the Adelaide Crows and Geelong Cats clash on a Friday night. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).
They’ve probably been the least hyped minor premiers in recent memory, but Adelaide still finished first on the ladder and are still the lukewarm favourites to make it through to the grand final.
They looked superb in their qualifying final two weeks ago, putting Greater Western Sydney to the sword in a dominant 36-point victory.
The week off did wonders for the Crows after they lost their last two matches of the home and away season, but will another week off prove too much of a good thing?
Geelong, on the other hand, had to get here the hard way after an awful last quarter saw them suffer a horrendous 51-point loss to Richmond in their qualifying final.
But as awful as that performance was, their semi-final shellacking of the Sydney Swans was infinitely more impressive.
Chris Scott’s personnel moves perplexed John Longmire, but did he play all his cards in the semi? Or can the Cats fool another opponent tonight?
Adelaide and Geelong’s two matches this season were eerily similar – with the Cats winning by 22 points in Round 11 and the Crows triumphing by 21 just seven weeks later.
In both cases the home side shot out to an insurmountable halftime lead, before some junk time resistance from the visitors saw the margin pegged back under four goals.
Geelong had enjoyed five consecutive victories against the Crows before the Round 18 clash however. The last time Adelaide enjoyed consecutive wins against the Cats was a four-game stretch between 2001 and 2003.
Prediction
Both teams enjoyed comfortable wins against one another this season, making this match almost impossible to predict.
You get the feeling the Cats don’t have a great deal of tricks left up their sleeves, however, so I’m giving a slight edge to the home team.
Crows by 9 points
anon
Roar Pro
I don't know what to say other than embarrassing performance by the Cats and Chris Scott. The game was over in 15 minutes. 9 goals to 1 at one stage. Scott's team has been uncompetitive since the first bounce in 3 of his last 4 finals now.
Matto
Guest
Haha right! When bruce isnt asking rehtorical questions
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Pants pulled down.
Stirling Coates
Editor
» Click here to read the full match report
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Always good to be home.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Commiserations, Rick. Hope you enjoyed your trip to this great city anyway. :)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Thanks for the blog, Stirling. It's unfortunate that it wasn't as, well, exciting + close as we wanted. To any and all Geelong fans reading this: commiserations, but I have no doubt that your team will be back. congrats on a great season.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Not our night. Still proud of you boys. Well done Crows. Good luck next week.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Shellacking.
Stirling Coates
Editor
SIREN The siren sounds on a comprehensive preliminary final victory for the Adelaide Crows. The careers of Andrew Mackie and Tom Lonergan come to an anticlimactic end, but the Pride of South Australia are through to their first grand final since 1998. Full report to come. ADE - 21.10 (136) GEE - 10.15 (75) FULL TIME
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
So, by next weekend, I might understand what it's like to live in the city of the premiers. These Crows are f^&*ing good.
Stirling Coates
Editor
Patrick Dangerfield's running kick out of defence ends up out on the full - much to the delight of the Adelaide faithful. He had a very good second quarter, but it's been a night to forget for Dangerfield. ADE - 21.10 (136) GEE - 10.14 (74) Q4: 3'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Joel Selwood has returned to the field after coming off with an ankle injury before. Tough night for the Cats skipper. ADE - 21.10 (136) GEE - 10.14 (74) Q4: 5'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL CROWS This last quarter has descended into something of a farce. Josh Jenkins has all the time and space in the world inside 50 and his attempt at goal number four is straight through. ADE - 21.10 (136) GEE - 10.14 (74) Q4: 6'
Stirling Coates
Editor
The only Adelaide player who might not think his spot is safe after tonight would be Hugh Greenwood. Just the six touches, although Mitch McGovern does look very unlikely to overcome his hamstring complaint. ADE - 20.10 (130) GEE - 10.14 (74) Q4: 7'
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Went out for a while, and just got back to some scores, but woah Adelaide are a good team! Drove past Adelaide Oval, and oh my the crowd was huuuuuge. The city is buzzing already, and the game hasn't even finished.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
The Crows are appearing an awfully large task for either of Richmond or GWS.
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL CROWS Lachie Henderson gathers in the goal square for Geelong, but his attempted rebound 50 is into the grandstand. Taylor Walker receives the free kick and bends it back beautifully through the big ones. ADE - 20.10 (130) GEE - 10.13 (73) Q4: 8'
Stirling Coates
Editor
Tom Lynch has cleared his concussion test and is back on the field for Adelaide. 20 touches, seven marks, five inside 50s and two goals for Lynch tonight. ADE - 19.10 (124) GEE - 10.13 (73) Q4: 8'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL CATS Adelaide don't get it out of their back 50 and Sam Menegola is able to nail a late consolation goal on the turnaround. ADE - 19.10 (124) GEE - 10.13 (73) Q4: 8'