Crows win delivers remote hope
Adelaide midfielder Scott Thompson tormented his former AFL club Melbourne with a best-afield display in the Crows’ 68-point victory on Saturday.
And in a late twist, the Crows have a remote chance of playing finals, after Carlton’s loss.
Thompson gathered a game-high 33 disposals as Adelaide continued Melbourne’s miserable season with a 18.12 (120) to 7.10 (52) win at AAMI Stadium.
Thompson, who left the Demons after the 2004 season to join Adelaide, was a standout, Lewis Johnston kicked six goals, Sam Jacobs ruled the rucks and first-year Crows Mitch Grigg and Brad Crouch were influential.
Melbourne forwards Jeremy Howe, Jack Watts and Colin Sylvia each kicked two goals and Nathan Jones and Jack Grimes battled gamely against the tide.
The game was Adelaide’s last at AAMI Stadium – they move to a redeveloped Adelaide Oval next season…but the season may not yet be over.
They sit twelfth, but the three sides above them could easily lose next weekend, and a thumpting win over West Coast (around the size of their recent losses) could deliver a ninth spot.
It’s remote – but it’s there.
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THE RUN HOME FOR THE AFL TEAMS STILL IN CONTENTION FOR A FINALS BERTH AFTER ROUND 22:
1. HAWTHORN (72 points) – Sydney (ANZ)
2. GEELONG (68) – Brisbane Lions (SS)
3. FREMANTLE (66) – St Kilda (ES)
4. SYDNEY (62) – Hawthorn (ANZ)
5. COLLINGWOOD (56) – North Melbourne (MCG)
6. RICHMOND (56) – Essendon (MCG)
7. ESSENDON (56) – Richmond (MCG)
8. PORT ADELAIDE (48) – Carlton (AS)
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9. CARLTON (40, 107%) – Port Adelaide (AS)
10. BRISBANE LIONS (40, 89.1) – Geelong (SS)
11. NORTH MELBOURNE (36, 120.2) – Collingwood (MCG)
12. ADELAIDE (36, 103.7) – West Coast (PS)
13. WEST COAST (36, 99.3) – Adelaide (PS)
SO:
* Hawthorn are the only team who know they will definitely host a week-one final
* If there are four week-one finals in Melbourne, as appears likely, who plays at Etihad Stadium?
* The only way Fremantle host a qualifying final is if Brisbane pull off a massive upset win over Geelong
IF ESSENDON ARE STRIPPED OF THEIR PREMIERSHIP POINTS
* Carlton are guaranteed eighth spot provided they beat Port
* If Carlton and Brisbane lose and North upset Collingwood, the Kangaroos take eighth
* If Carlton, North and Brisbane lose and Adelaide gain a big percentage boost with a win over West Coast, then the Crows take eighth
* The Eagles can take eighth, but they must dramatically boost their percentage against Adelaide, plus Carlton, Brisbane and North must lose
* Brisbane can steal eighth if Carlton lose. But they must beat Geelong in Geelong – one of the AFL’s toughest road trips.
