Race-by-race tips and previews for Randwick Kensington on Wednesday
Race 1
8. Albany Road didn't run up to expectation when in the market on debut back in December but he's come back in good order looking at his two trial wins in the past month. Will roll forward and is the likely leader and should give a good account. 1. Cold Brew was runner-up at his first three starts before failing at Warwick Farm in January. Another who has returned with some nice trial performances, finds J-Mac to ride and draws to get every chance. 4. Harry's Evidence was well supported into odds-on at his debut and found one a bit speedier over the 1000m at Hawkesbury. Better for it and a bit firmer ground is a plus. One of the chances.
How to play it: Albany Road WIN.
Race 2
8. Oso Spirited is an interesting ex-NZ filly having her first local start for the Waterhouse/Bott stable. She trialled strongly when scoring at Rosehill in her latest and should get a nice run in or near the lead at this trip. Any market support would be a good push. Go well. 9. Sister Daae likely gives away a start from the outside barrier as she's done in her past couple when drawn wide. Kicking off at 1400m might suit her, though, and if the race pans out in her favour she should be hard to beat. 4. Vetwelve had support when placed at this track and trip first-up then favourite and may have been on the wrong part of the track when a battling fourth at Kembla. Entitled to another chance.
How to play it: Oso Spirited WIN.
Race 3
6. Wuddzz found himself in a tricky position at Randwick last time and attacked the line hard once clear but the bird had flown. Solidly supported favourite there and looks to have every chance to atone with a smaller field and softer gate. Entitled to go close. 1. Casual Connection has beaten Wuddzz twice and is 2.5kg worse off for the latest win but he does have that on pace style which helped him out in his latest victory. It might well see him home again and he's a logical danger. 5. Rattle And Hum has worked his way back to form with his past couple and he gave a good sight when narrowly beaten at Warwick Farm last week over 2200m. On pacer who has won at this track and trip and can give a sight.
How to play it: Wuddzz WIN.
Race 4
2. Vanessi is a lightly raced filly who looks suited with gate one behind what should be a solid speed over the 1000m. Wasn't disgraced in a handy field before a spell and she sailed around to win her latest trial last week. Expect she'll be in the finish. 8. O'Invincible hasn't raced since scoring on protest at Wyong in December and both her wins now have been at this trip. Trialled in early April then a small setback didn't see her resurface until two weeks ago where she won a trial at Warwick Farm. Could easily measure up. 3. Columbia Blue was too speedy in the heavy ground when an all the way winner at Hawkesbury at his second start. Looks a horse on the way up and is one of the chances.
How to play it: Vanessi WIN.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Herald Sun
a day ago
- Herald Sun
AFLW season 10: Hawthorn, St Kilda notch up round one wins
St Kilda has defied the odds to register its first win - and highest ever score - against Adelaide, dominating clearance to take home a 22-pt win. Milestone midfielder Molly McDonald declared pre-game that the her side was 'coming to bring an exciting brand of football for [their] fans' - and that's exactly what they did. Adelaide controlled possession early but succumbed to old habits as it struggled to convert despite a sizeable inside 50 differential. Doubling St Kilda in this metric to half time, the Crows failed to score effectively once more. St Kilda's high-pressure approach and defensive commitment contributed to the Crows' shallow entries and inability to complete their marks, leaving them goalless after half time. Hannah Priest celebrates with Molly McDonald and Ashleigh Richards. Picture:. The risky move to bring Rebecca Ott into the ruck - and to play skipper Hannah Priest largely forward - paid off for Nick Dal Santo as his side claimed a 5.5 (35) to 2.7 (19) victory. Even Ebony Marinoff's dominant 27-disposal outing wasn't enough as T Smith (24 disposals, seven clearances) and Georgia Patrikios (26 disposals) controlled clearance (28-17). Adelaide's India Rasheed provided the Crows with something to smile about slotting an impressive goal on debut, prompting a fist pump from father Roger in the stands. After losing both practice matches in a similar fashion, alarm bells will be ringing for Matthew Clarke as the Crows continue to be hunted. FIRST KICK, FIRST GOAL It's an exclusive club that continues to grow - and one that Zoe Besanko joined after kicking St Kilda's first major score of the day, and the first of her career. Pick 32 in the 2024 AFLW Draft, project-player Besanko showed the athleticism that has her poised as the perfect partner for stalwart forward Jesse Wardlaw. Competing all day, she later capitalised from a 50-metre penalty to record her second goal and prove the strength of today's AFLW pathways. Ex-Bomber Amber Clarke was also able to record her first goal as a Saint. MUNYARD DOWN Hannah Munyard - one of Adelaide's best prior to the incident - left the field late in the third term with a syndesmosis injury. An extended stint on the sidelines would be a huge blow for a Crows outfit already struggling forward of the ball. Hannah Munyard was carried off. Picture: Kelly Defina/AFL Photos/via Getty Images. SAME OLD WOES The Crows took home the win in their last outing against St Kilda despite struggling to scoring effectively. Today, however, familiar woes got the better of them. Despite finishing +21 for inside 50s, the returning Eloise Jones, and Caitlin Gould, were unable to capitalise on opportunities across the afternoon. MCDONALD'S MILESTONE Celebrating her 50th game in style, Molly McDonald shrugged off a strong Hannah Munyard tackle to slot an impressive checkside snap. Her contingent of supporters, dubbed by Lauren Wood on Fox as 'footy mad mob', were up and about at RSEA Park, with the moment marking her twelfth career goal. FAST GAME'S A GOOD GAME A second-quarter burst by new Saint Charlotte Baskaran showed exactly why the AFL implemented changes to speed up the play in Season 10. Streaming down the middle with her run-and-carry on full display, Baskaran hit J'Noemi Anderson lace out in exciting scenes for Saints and AFLW fans alike. THE QUIRKS OF AFLW There are many great quirks of AFLW - well demonstrated by today's cheersquad for the umpires. ST KILDA 2.0(12), 3.2 (20), 5.5 (35), 6.5(41) ADELAIDE 1.1(7)), 2.1 (13), 2.3 (15), 2.7(19) GOALS: Saints: Besanko (2), McDonald, Clarke, Richards, Priest Crows: Newman, Rasheed BEST: Saints: Smith, Patrikios, McDonald, Friend, Wardlaw Crows: Newman, Marinoff, Rasheed, Munyard Injuries: Saints: Nil Crows: Hannah Munyard (syndesmosis) HAWKS SET SIGHTS ON REDEMPTION Hawthorn's bid for AFLW redemption after last season's disappointing finals campaign has started on the right note with a four-point win over Brisbane on Sunday. After finishing second on the ladder in 2024, the Hawks' premiership dreams ended with a straight-sets exit from the finals series. One of those finals losses came against the Lions, meaning the Hawks had plenty to prove at Springfield on the opening weekend of the new season. Tilly Lucas-Rodd played one of their best games. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images. And they were up to the task, holding on in the final quarter to win 4.9 (33) to 3.11 (29). The Lions had chances to steal the game in the closing stages but couldn't take advantage of their opportunities, finishing the game with four successive behinds as they fell short at home in the opening round of a season for the third-straight year. Hawks defender Tilly Lucas-Rodd, who had 27 possessions in a best-on-ground performance, said their team 'wanted to make a statement' after last season's finals capitulation. 'We came out and did that, which was really good,' Lucas-Rodd told Channel 7. Hawks 'grind' rewarded The Lions were restricted to just one point in the second-quarter as the Hawks took control of the contest. Trailing by four points at quarter-time, the Hawks kicked the only two goals of the second quarter through Aine McDonagh and Casey Sherriff. Unable to cope with Hawthorn's pressure, the Lions took almost 16 minutes of the quarter to register a score, a behind from Taylor Smith. Hawks midfielder Eliza West, who had 12 possessions by half-time in her 50th AFLW appearance, was pleased with her side's fightback after trailing at quarter-time. 'For us it's about the grind. We want to keep grinding them down as much as we can,' West said. 'We have a lot of faith in our system' West described her own key role as one of a 'hunter-gatherer'. 'If I can do that for the team, that's what they need me to do. That's all I'm focused on,' she said. Eliza West started the season on fire. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images. Injury scare There were fears that Hawthorn midfielder Jasmine Fleming may have suffered a serious knee injury when she limped off in the third-quarter after getting her right leg caught between a couple of Lions players. Fleming needed assistance from two Hawks trainers as she hobbled off, unable to put weight on her right knee. However, much to the Hawks' relief, she was able to return to action later in the quarter with her knee heavily strapped. Fleming wasn't the only player to require strapping during the match, with Lions midfielder Sophie Conway and Hawthorn ruck Lucy Wales requiring attention after a clash of heads in the second-quarter. Conway was taped up around her forehead, while a chin cut meant Wales required a great deal of strapping to allow her to re-enter the contest. Brisbane 2.3 2.4 2.7 3.11 (29) Hawthorn 1.5 3.7 3.8 4.9 (33) GOALS: Lions: Smith, Davidson, Hampson Hawks: McDonagh 2, Bodey, McDonagh BEST: Lions: Anderson, Hampson, Ellenger, O'Dwyer, Grider Hawks: Lucas-Rodd, West, McDonagh, Bates, Fleming CROWD: 4209 at Brighton Homes Arena Originally published as Hawthorn start season 10 campaign off strongly, St Kilda opens account with a win
The Age
2 days ago
- The Age
McRae keeps faith in Pies despite Crows loss as debate rages over non-free kick in dying moments
Loading Key posts 11.49pm 'That stuff will stack up': McRae on Pies 11.26pm McRae still believes in Magpies despite losing run 10.43pm 'We haven't achieved anything yet': Nicks 10.38pm 'As long as we won by a kick': Nicks on inside 50s differential 10.28pm Crows come up clutch to score Pies win after 3318 days 10.25pm Did Thilthorpe kick the ball away late? 8.07pm Hawks want more as finals fast approach 7.08pm Subs named for Crows v Pies Hide key posts Posts area Go to latest Pinned post from yesterday 10.28pm Crows come up clutch to score Pies win after 3318 days By Steve Barrett Adelaide hung on by the tips of their fingernails but, at long last, shook their Magpie monkey. The nine-year Collingwood curse is dead. After 3318 long days, Adelaide busted one of the AFL's longest spells, in front of 54,283 fans - the biggest ever AFL crowd at Adelaide Oval - beating Collingwood for the first time since 16 July 2016. When the Crows last defeated the Magpies - some 3318 days ago - Barack Obama was still US president, Malcolm Turnbull had been sworn in as Australian Prime Minister and Scott Pendlebury was racking up touch after touch. Well, some things haven't changed. More importantly, Saturday night's pulsating three-point triumph all but sealed the Crows' first minor premiership since 2017 - the last time they made the top eight. Adelaide had to work overtime for this one, particularly their backline which was inundated by one Collingwood entry after another. The Pies amassed a whopping 71-39 advantage in inside-50s but just couldn't land the killer blow. The brilliant Nick Daicos's goal on the burst in the 27th minute of the fourth quarter was the game's final score, Collingwood attacking hard to the finish line. The Magpies had it all on their terms early, marching to a 25-point quarter-time cushion after 30 minutes of the footy almost exclusively living inside their forward half. But no deficit is beyond Adelaide's potent reach and they turned the tables emphatically with a 5.1 to 0.1 second term, allowing them to pinch a five-point half-time lead. The heavens opened in the third stanza which descended into a defensive-dominated sodden slog, the Crows spending most of it on the ropes but repeatedly warding off glancing Collingwood blows. Another goal drought followed in the fourth, finally busted by James Peatling in the 18th minute, Adelaide's single-figure lead seemingly worth plenty more. Riley Thilthorpe, largely subdued by ex-Crow Billy Frampton, took a huge clutch mark on his guy and converted to restore Adelaide's nine-point lead. If this was a September dress rehearsal between the cagey 2023 champions and the upstart challengers, the sequel looms as a beauty. yesterday 11.58pm That's all for tonight That's all we have for you tonight. Thanks so much for joining us throughout the day and into tonight. Please keep visiting our sports webpages for more AFL coverage tomorrow and throughout the week. Bye for now. yesterday 11.49pm 'That stuff will stack up': McRae on Pies By Steve Barrett The Magpies are on course for wins, of that coach Craig McRae is sure despite their close loss to Adelaide on Saturday night. 'We didn't get the four points, but internally, we know we're headed in the right direction,' Magpies coach Craig McRae said. 'You put the (Collingwood) jumper on this week and there's a lot more pride in the way we went about it. 'There's an internal belief that this game was there for us to win. 'We leave here not with our tail between our legs. 'Have we got more work to do? Absolutely. But we're headed in the right direction. 'That stuff will stack up.' Magpies midfielder Jack Crisp also likes how the team is shaping up. 'If we play like that, probably nine times out of 10 you're going to get the result,' Crisp said. 'We've probably been a bit stagnant the last few weeks, so to come out and have a real positive contest and clearance game sets up for the way we want to play the rest of the season. 'We did a lot right tonight and we played much better football than the last two weeks. 'That's a finals (like) game - I'm sure everyone else felt it. 'It's the right time to find some form.'That's a good start and now we'll focus on Friday night against Melbourne. yesterday 11.26pm McRae still believes in Magpies despite losing run By Roy Ward Collingwood coach Craig McRae had an interesting take on his side's dominance on inside 50s but failure to turn them into goals. The Magpies had 71-37 inside 50s but much of that dominance came in the first term before the rain set in as the team fell to a fifth loss in six games. McRae said the 'high density' of the Crows defence, the rain plus the high pressure being applied by both sides made clean possessions hard to come by. 'The reality of that kind of game is, as Leigh Matthews used to say, it will be hard for us to score so make it impossible for them,' McRae said. 'We did that most of the night. The inside 50 number says that, we have some work to do on our inside 50s but in wet conditions trying to kick to contests and then get to stoppages - we had something like 39 forward stoppages and scored three points from them so you have to find other ways to score. 'That's the numbers. We didn't get the four points but, internally, we think we are heading in the right direction. 'We gave everything right to the end, they were just a fraction better in moments. 'It was a hard game, a finals type game and it will serve both teams well.' yesterday 11.18pm Howe could return, Hill uncertain By Roy Ward The Magpies hope to get Jeremy Howe back for the final round but star forward Bobby Hill's return remains uncertain although he is back training. Magpies coach Craig McRae said Howe would bring a lot of strength to the team's defence once he comes out of the concussion protocols. 'Howey should be available next week and out of the protocols and Bobby is getting better every day but I'm not sure if he will be available next week,' McRae said. 'But it was pleasing having him back this week training hard for us. We might strengthen up next week if we get Howey back.' McRae also said the team's AFL and VFL sides both haven't reported any injuries from this weekend. yesterday 10.54pm Daicos says midfield must lift Magpies star Nick Daicos has put the heat on his team's midfield to improve how they are delivering the ball to the forwards. The Magpies forward line continues to struggle and they've lost five of their last six games. 'It's probably on the midfield,' Daicos told Fox Footy. 'I think the forwards set up well. It's on us [the midfield] to tidy up a few things. 'If we can get our forward line out in space, we will be a better team.' yesterday 10.43pm 'We haven't achieved anything yet': Nicks Matthew Nicks has revealed what premiership-winning veteran Alex Neal-Bullen told the group as they entered the final weeks of the season. 'A very experienced man told me that we haven't achieved anything yet,' Nicks told Fox Footy. 'His name is Alex Neal-Bullen and when you bring players like him into your football club and can sit down and share experiences they've had. Murray Davis is another one. 'We haven't achieved anything yet. We are not here to finish top with one round to go, we are here to have a real crack.' yesterday 10.38pm 'As long as we won by a kick': Nicks on inside 50s differential By Roy Ward Crows coach Matthew Nicks had a cracking line when asked what would have thought if he was told pre-game that Collingwood would win inside 50s 71-37. 'I wouldn't have cared as long as we won by a kick,' Nicks told Fox Footy. 'We will go back and review it. I thought they played better than we did as far as their game goes, we didn't get our best game at all. 'The last couple of weeks we have been a little bit off but still been able to get the job done. 'We've learned to win a different way tonight and against a very good opposition.' Nicks said he was proud of his players. 'I'm incredibly proud of these guys but I've been incredibly proud of them for years,' Nicks told Fox Footy. 'They are finally getting what they deserve. When are all connected and go to work together, then you get rewarded in sport and guys have been working hard for a long period of time….we didn't just get lucky this year.' yesterday 10.28pm Crows come up clutch to score Pies win after 3318 days By Steve Barrett Adelaide hung on by the tips of their fingernails but, at long last, shook their Magpie monkey. The nine-year Collingwood curse is dead. After 3318 long days, Adelaide busted one of the AFL's longest spells, in front of 54,283 fans - the biggest ever AFL crowd at Adelaide Oval - beating Collingwood for the first time since 16 July 2016. When the Crows last defeated the Magpies - some 3318 days ago - Barack Obama was still US president, Malcolm Turnbull had been sworn in as Australian Prime Minister and Scott Pendlebury was racking up touch after touch. Well, some things haven't changed. More importantly, Saturday night's pulsating three-point triumph all but sealed the Crows' first minor premiership since 2017 - the last time they made the top eight. Adelaide had to work overtime for this one, particularly their backline which was inundated by one Collingwood entry after another. The Pies amassed a whopping 71-39 advantage in inside-50s but just couldn't land the killer blow. The brilliant Nick Daicos's goal on the burst in the 27th minute of the fourth quarter was the game's final score, Collingwood attacking hard to the finish line. The Magpies had it all on their terms early, marching to a 25-point quarter-time cushion after 30 minutes of the footy almost exclusively living inside their forward half. But no deficit is beyond Adelaide's potent reach and they turned the tables emphatically with a 5.1 to 0.1 second term, allowing them to pinch a five-point half-time lead. The heavens opened in the third stanza which descended into a defensive-dominated sodden slog, the Crows spending most of it on the ropes but repeatedly warding off glancing Collingwood blows. Another goal drought followed in the fourth, finally busted by James Peatling in the 18th minute, Adelaide's single-figure lead seemingly worth plenty more. Riley Thilthorpe, largely subdued by ex-Crow Billy Frampton, took a huge clutch mark on his guy and converted to restore Adelaide's nine-point lead. If this was a September dress rehearsal between the cagey 2023 champions and the upstart challengers, the sequel looms as a beauty. yesterday 10.25pm Did Thilthorpe kick the ball away late? By Roy Ward Garry Lyon has called it 'the worst non-free kick of the season' but I can't agree with him. With the ball out of bounds in the final minutes and rolling between two boundary umpires, Riley Thilthorpe appeared to kick the ball away. But a second angle showed that the ball he kicked rolled towards the other, further away boundary umpire. It could have been a free kick, but it was better to leave it and let the on field play decide the play - at least in my view. I think the two clear throw passes that were missed in open play were far more troubling. yesterday 10.20pm How the Crows can finish on top To finish on top of the ladder, the Crows either need Geelong to lose to Sydney on Sunday or they need to win their final round clash with North Melbourne next weekend. The Magpies fall further back to the field when it comes to trying to secure one of the remaining top four spots. 'We are very confident, we know our roles and trust each other to get it done,' Riley Thilthorpe told Fox Footy.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Adelaide edge Collingwood in thriller to keep top spot
Adelaide have ended their Collingwood hoodoo with a nerve-jangling three-point triumph to keep their grip on top spot. The Crows trailed by 25 points at quarter-time but prevailed 9.5 (59) to 8.8 (56) at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night - their first win against the Pies since 2016. Adelaide (68 premiership points) will finish first entering the finals if they defeat 17th-placed North Melbourne next Saturday. Collingwood (60 points), with five losses from their past six games, are fourth and in a logjam jostling for positions ahead of their Friday-night fixture against Melbourne. The Crows had lost their past 10 games against Collingwood, preceded by a 2017 draw. But with victory before a sold-out crowd of 54,283 - the second-largest attendance at an AFL game at the Oval - Adelaide equalled their club-best returns of 17 wins and five losses in 2005 and 2012 - a win over the Roos will create a new benchmark. "We didn't play our best footy and we found a way (to win)," Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said. "I know the belief is there, we know how to win." The Crows were jumped by a fast-starting Collingwood, who produced a first-term blitz to create a 25-point quarter-time lead, 5.3 to 1.2. But Adelaide flipped the script in the second term, with ex-captain Taylor Walker kicking two of five unanswered goals for the hosts. A late strike from Izak Rankine gave Adelaide a five-point edge at halftime, 6.3 to 5.4. The third quarter, amid rain, was tight - neither team managed a goal until Adelaide's Isaac Cumming scored in the 27th minute. But Pie forward Jamie Elliott replied, threading a set shot from an acute angle, to reduce Adelaide's advantage to two points at three-quarter time, 7.6 to 6.8. Another scoring stalemate ensued in a tense finale: a goalless 17-minute stretch was broken when Crow James Peatling snapped accurately. But Magpie Jack Crisp responded six minutes later to reduce the margin to three points, only for key Crow Riley Thilthorpe to then take a superb contested mark and convert. Again the Pies responded, with a long bomb from Nick Daicos leaving the visitors three points down with almost four minutes remaining, but Adelaide grimly held on for victory. "We didn't quite get the four points but we leave here not with our tail between our legs," Collingwood coach Craig McRae said. "It was a hard game, a finals-type game ... it was a real tactical battle." Ex-Crow skipper Walker and Darcy Fogarty kicked two goals each, while defenders Josh Worrell (27 disposals), Mark Keane (23) - who rebounded the ball from Adelaide's defensive 50m arc some 13 times - and captain Jordan Dawson (23) were influential. Collingwood's Nick Daicos was superb with a game-high 29 possessions and a goal. Veteran Scott Pendlebury (24 touches) was prominent, especially early, Darcy Cameron (23 disposals) ruled the rucks, and forwards Elliott and Tim Membrey booted two majors apiece. Adelaide have ended their Collingwood hoodoo with a nerve-jangling three-point triumph to keep their grip on top spot. The Crows trailed by 25 points at quarter-time but prevailed 9.5 (59) to 8.8 (56) at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night - their first win against the Pies since 2016. Adelaide (68 premiership points) will finish first entering the finals if they defeat 17th-placed North Melbourne next Saturday. Collingwood (60 points), with five losses from their past six games, are fourth and in a logjam jostling for positions ahead of their Friday-night fixture against Melbourne. The Crows had lost their past 10 games against Collingwood, preceded by a 2017 draw. But with victory before a sold-out crowd of 54,283 - the second-largest attendance at an AFL game at the Oval - Adelaide equalled their club-best returns of 17 wins and five losses in 2005 and 2012 - a win over the Roos will create a new benchmark. "We didn't play our best footy and we found a way (to win)," Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said. "I know the belief is there, we know how to win." The Crows were jumped by a fast-starting Collingwood, who produced a first-term blitz to create a 25-point quarter-time lead, 5.3 to 1.2. But Adelaide flipped the script in the second term, with ex-captain Taylor Walker kicking two of five unanswered goals for the hosts. A late strike from Izak Rankine gave Adelaide a five-point edge at halftime, 6.3 to 5.4. The third quarter, amid rain, was tight - neither team managed a goal until Adelaide's Isaac Cumming scored in the 27th minute. But Pie forward Jamie Elliott replied, threading a set shot from an acute angle, to reduce Adelaide's advantage to two points at three-quarter time, 7.6 to 6.8. Another scoring stalemate ensued in a tense finale: a goalless 17-minute stretch was broken when Crow James Peatling snapped accurately. But Magpie Jack Crisp responded six minutes later to reduce the margin to three points, only for key Crow Riley Thilthorpe to then take a superb contested mark and convert. Again the Pies responded, with a long bomb from Nick Daicos leaving the visitors three points down with almost four minutes remaining, but Adelaide grimly held on for victory. "We didn't quite get the four points but we leave here not with our tail between our legs," Collingwood coach Craig McRae said. "It was a hard game, a finals-type game ... it was a real tactical battle." Ex-Crow skipper Walker and Darcy Fogarty kicked two goals each, while defenders Josh Worrell (27 disposals), Mark Keane (23) - who rebounded the ball from Adelaide's defensive 50m arc some 13 times - and captain Jordan Dawson (23) were influential. Collingwood's Nick Daicos was superb with a game-high 29 possessions and a goal. Veteran Scott Pendlebury (24 touches) was prominent, especially early, Darcy Cameron (23 disposals) ruled the rucks, and forwards Elliott and Tim Membrey booted two majors apiece. Adelaide have ended their Collingwood hoodoo with a nerve-jangling three-point triumph to keep their grip on top spot. The Crows trailed by 25 points at quarter-time but prevailed 9.5 (59) to 8.8 (56) at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night - their first win against the Pies since 2016. Adelaide (68 premiership points) will finish first entering the finals if they defeat 17th-placed North Melbourne next Saturday. Collingwood (60 points), with five losses from their past six games, are fourth and in a logjam jostling for positions ahead of their Friday-night fixture against Melbourne. The Crows had lost their past 10 games against Collingwood, preceded by a 2017 draw. But with victory before a sold-out crowd of 54,283 - the second-largest attendance at an AFL game at the Oval - Adelaide equalled their club-best returns of 17 wins and five losses in 2005 and 2012 - a win over the Roos will create a new benchmark. "We didn't play our best footy and we found a way (to win)," Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said. "I know the belief is there, we know how to win." The Crows were jumped by a fast-starting Collingwood, who produced a first-term blitz to create a 25-point quarter-time lead, 5.3 to 1.2. But Adelaide flipped the script in the second term, with ex-captain Taylor Walker kicking two of five unanswered goals for the hosts. A late strike from Izak Rankine gave Adelaide a five-point edge at halftime, 6.3 to 5.4. The third quarter, amid rain, was tight - neither team managed a goal until Adelaide's Isaac Cumming scored in the 27th minute. But Pie forward Jamie Elliott replied, threading a set shot from an acute angle, to reduce Adelaide's advantage to two points at three-quarter time, 7.6 to 6.8. Another scoring stalemate ensued in a tense finale: a goalless 17-minute stretch was broken when Crow James Peatling snapped accurately. But Magpie Jack Crisp responded six minutes later to reduce the margin to three points, only for key Crow Riley Thilthorpe to then take a superb contested mark and convert. Again the Pies responded, with a long bomb from Nick Daicos leaving the visitors three points down with almost four minutes remaining, but Adelaide grimly held on for victory. "We didn't quite get the four points but we leave here not with our tail between our legs," Collingwood coach Craig McRae said. "It was a hard game, a finals-type game ... it was a real tactical battle." Ex-Crow skipper Walker and Darcy Fogarty kicked two goals each, while defenders Josh Worrell (27 disposals), Mark Keane (23) - who rebounded the ball from Adelaide's defensive 50m arc some 13 times - and captain Jordan Dawson (23) were influential. Collingwood's Nick Daicos was superb with a game-high 29 possessions and a goal. Veteran Scott Pendlebury (24 touches) was prominent, especially early, Darcy Cameron (23 disposals) ruled the rucks, and forwards Elliott and Tim Membrey booted two majors apiece.
