WEST COAST 11.9 (75) def ADELAIDE 9.15 (69)
WEST Coast have kept their finals hopes alive after defeating Adelaide by a goal in a thrilling match at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.
The Crows held a 13 point lead late into the final term before goals to Andrew Embley and Bradd Dalziell levelled the score with only minutes remaining.
A goal in the final minute to Josh Kennedy, his fourth of the night, secured West Coast the much needed win and left Adelaide’s season hanging by a thread as they head into a do-or-die clash with Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night.
The victory could not have come at a more crucial time for West Coast who take on top four contenders in Fremantle and Sydney over the next fortnight.
Adelaide kicked the first three goals of the match- Shaun McKernan had the Crows on the scoreboard within the first 40 seconds. The Eagles then responded with the next four to take a seven point lead into the first change.
Matthew Jaensch was substituted into the game for the Crows during the first quarter after Aidan Riley went down with a leg injury.
A three goal to one second term from Adelaide gave the home side a seven point lead at half time. The reverse took place in the third quarter with West Coast kicking three goals to one and wrestling the lead back from Adelaide going into the final break.
The last quarter was a tussle and when Jason Porplyzia goaled at the 18 minute mark to give the Crows a 13 point lead it looked as if Adelaide were home.
But West Coast continued to fight and having been gallant in their efforts against Essendon and Hawthorn over the past two weeks were not prepared to lose another close game.
To add to the Crows woes, Shaun McKernan was reported for striking Brad Sheppard in the second quarter.
Sheppard passed a concussion test and returned to the ground but the incident could land McKernan a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
West Coast midfielder Chris Masten amassed 39 possessions and a best on ground effort in the win while teammate Matt Priddiss had 33 touches.
Bradd Dalziell collected 26 possessions including six tackles and kicked a crucial goal for the Eagles.
West Coach coach John Worsfold, who praised the effort of his side over the past two weeks despite losing, was once again impressed with the resilience of his team.
“Just proud of the effort they are putting in”.
“I was really pleased with way we responded to what we had to do once we got behind, the challenge was to take some risks”, Worsfold said.
Scott Thompson had 28 disposals Brad Crouch and Patrick Dangerfield each had 26 for Adelaide.
The Crows finals hopes are fast fading with four tough games coming up over the next month. After the clash with the Magpies next week, Adelaide take on Geelong, Fremantle and Port Adelaide.
Two videos for the match. first up the final two minutes:
And here is the match highlights video:
ADELAIDE 3.2 6.5 7.11 9.15 (69)
WEST COAST 4.3 5.4 8.7 11.9 (75)
GOALS
Adelaide: Lynch 2, Porplyzia 2, Mckernan, Sloane, Jenkins, Dangerfield, Wright
West Coast: Kennedy 4, Hill, LeCras, Cripps, Schofield, McGinnity, Embley, Dalziell
BEST
Adelaide: Crouch, Dangerfield, Lynch, Douglas, Henderson, Rutten, Porplyzia
West Coast: Kennedy, Masten, Naitanui, Priddis, LeCras, Waters, Embley
INJURIES
Adelaide: Aidan Riley (ankle)
West Coast: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: Matthew Jeansch replaced Aidan Riley (knee) in the first quarter
West Coast: Andrew Embley replaced Jacob Brennan in the third quarter.
Reports: Shaun Mckernan for striking Brad Sheppard in the first quarter.
Umpires: McBurney, Stewart, Armstrong
Official crowd: 26,426 at AAMI Stadium