ADELAIDE coach Brenton Sanderson sent a message out with six minutes to go in the final quarter: play on at all costs, handball, get the ball surging forward and go third-man up from every stoppage.

In other words, don't die wondering. 

At that point the Crows were three goals down. 

The game looked over without it actually being finished. 

In the meantime, to assist the effort, Sanderson was attempting to make some structural changes from the confines of the coach's box. 

If there was something he could manage that would snatch a win, he was willing to do it. 

While he never stopped believing, he still watched what unfolded with a sense of disbelief. 

"I'm still in shock to be honest," Sanderson said post-game. 

He knew in his heart that it was up to the players to make things happen, and then to hope that some luck went their way. 

Luck suddenly slid through the cracks in the Etihad Stadium roof and sprinkled its magic on Adelaide. 

"Sometimes the footy gods are smiling on you," Sanderson said.  

His team maintained their belief in their coach and their ability to run out games, and kept coming. Three goals became two and then one. 

It was, with a minute to go, anyone's game. 

But Adelaide suspected its opponent was vulnerable. 

Sanderson had told his charges that North Melbourne's record after half-time and late in quarters suggested opponents were a chance if they kept running. 

He instructed the players at three-quarter time to keep rotations through the midfield high and, where possible, get the ball to the outside of the contest so they could create some run. 

With five points the margin, Sam Kerridge, best on ground with six goals to his name in just his seventh game, gathered the ball. He didn't overthink things. He just followed the coach's instructions to keep the ball going their way. 

"I just jammed it on the boot and I knew the clock was ticking and just hoped for the best and luckily it paid off," Kerridge said. 

His quick kick landed in the path of a nervous Jared Petrenko. 

Petrenko, by his own admission, panicked a bit and kicked the ball out of mid-air. Luckily for Petrenko, and unluckily for the Kangaroos, it went through. 

Even then, due to a scoreboard malfunction, some Adelaide players did not know they had hit the front. 

The coach did and, as surprised as anyone at the ground as to what had taken place, was still taking stock half an hour later. 

"I still haven't probably settled down from the game yet. I'm not really sure what to say to be honest because I am still in a bit of shock that we won that one," Sanderson said. 

Kerridge said it was the best win he had been involved in during his seven-game career. 

The coach understood its significance too. 

"It is a massive win for this footy club," Sanderson said. "It was must-win - I know it was billed as an elimination final externally leading into this game - so it was critical that we got the win today. The games don't get any easier." 

With Fremantle lying ahead and five wins next to its name, Adelaide remains master of its own destiny. 

"To get a win like that just gives the club great self-belief looking long-term, not just short-term," Sanderson said.