THE MONKEY is off the back.

Matthew Nicks' Adelaide has defeated the Western Bulldogs by 22 points to secure a breakthrough finals victory.

CROWS v BULLDOGS Full match coverage and stats

In champion Taylor Walker's final game at Adelaide Oval, the Crows were forced to overcome a frightening Bulldogs fourth-quarter comeback to secure the 14.6 (90) to 9.14 (68) elimination final triumph.

With all the momentum with the Bulldogs, and the shadow of last year's straight-sets exit looming large, crucial goals to key talls Riley Thilthorpe, Walker and Darcy Fogarty and an Izak Rankine stunner helped the Crows progress.

Adelaide duo Josh Worrell (34 disposals and 19 intercept possessions) and Wayne Milera (27 disposals at 100 per cent efficiency) were outstanding in defence, while Rankine (34 disposals and two goals) was all class through the midfield.

Despite the Bulldogs winning the centre clearances 17-7 and inside-50s 61-49, Adelaide made the most of its opportunities inside 50 with Josh Rachele finishing with three goals.

The Bulldogs were forced into a very late change when reliable defender Michael Sellwood was concussed in the warm-up and replaced by South Australian forward Lachie McNeil.

08:18

Highlights: Adelaide v Western Bulldogs

The Crows and Bulldogs clash in the second elimination final of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

Published on Sep 5, 2026

Luke Beveridge's side was forced to shuffle the defensive deckchairs, but it was Adelaide's backline that was under pressure early.

Despite nailing the opening goal inside two minutes courtesy of Fogarty, the Bulldogs' swift stoppage work and quick hands saw them win nine of the first 12 inside-50s. 

Ed Richards (27 disposals and two goals) soon had their first, but goals to Ben Keays and Brayden Cook made the visitors pay for their inaccuracy. The Crows led by a goal at the first change and, crucially, they had won a quarter of finals football.

00:47

Richards reacts in a flash and trusty left does the rest

Ed Richards keeps his cool after Aaron Naughton dishes it off, snapping truly to notch his side's first of the game

Published on Sep 5, 2026

The second term was a case of momentum swings, with both sides enjoying positive stretches. Opposing livewires Rachele and Arty Jones were responsible for two goals apiece as the same margin separated the sides at the half.

With Adelaide's backline holding up well, the Crows had the game on their terms in the third term and extended their lead courtesy of goals to Rankine and Keays.

00:41

'How do you miss that?': Keays cashes in as Dog leaves door open

Ben Keays somehow sneaks through a towering effort after Rory Lobb tussles with his opponent in the square but fails to get a hand to the footy

Published on Sep 5, 2026

The Bulldogs were pressured into making a number of unforced errors by foot, and struggled to find a target when they went inside 50.

Just when you thought the Crows would run away with it, the Bulldogs found their bark again early in the final term. With Buku Khamis thrown forward, back-to-back goals from Will Lewis and a superb long-range effort from Richards sent a collective shiver down the spine of the Crows faithful.

00:45

'Could he be the one?': Lewis lands huge double blow as Dogs keep coming

Will Lewis comes up big with two final-term goals as the Bulldogs pile on the pressure and close in on the Crows

Published on Sep 5, 2026

However, it was short lived as Adelaide showed determination and grit to halt the Dogs' momentum and kick away to secure one of the most important wins in the club's history.

In doing so, it booked a semi-final date with the two-time reigning premier Brisbane at the Gabba.

00:41

'Would've been Goal of the Year?': Rankine pulls off the IMPOSSIBLE finish

Izak Rankine does it again with a spectacular goal from a ridiculous angle, leaving the commentators in disbelief

Published on Sep 5, 2026

Crows defenders show their class
The Bulldogs managed 61 inside 50s in their elimination final defeat, but the Adelaide backline stood up well, largely thanks to the efforts of Josh Worrell and Wayne Milera. Joint leading disposal winner with 34, Worrell also managed a game-high 10 marks and 19 intercept possessions. Meanwhile, the composure and calmness of Wayne Milera got the Crows out of jail on countless occasions. The All-Australian defender showed exactly why he was named in the side, gathering 27 disposals at 100 per cent efficiency and a team-high seven score involvements.

01:54

'Great Wall of Worrell': Crow's intercept clinic on the big stage

Josh Worrell delivers a commanding performance down back, racking up 34 disposals and a whopping 19 intercept possessions in a stellar finals display

Published on Sep 5, 2026

Sellwood ruled out late
The visitors' pre-game preparations were thrown into a spin when defender Michael Sellwood was hit by a stray football in the warm-up. He was assessed, ruled out with concussion and replaced by Lachie McNeil with just minutes to spare until the first bounce. It was a big blow for the Bulldogs, given Adelaide's dangerous forward line and the excellent start Sellwood has made to his AFL career.

ADELAIDE       3.1     7.2     9.5    14.6 (90)
WESTERN BULLDOGS                1.7     5.8     5.10      9.14 (68)
 
GOALS
Adelaide: Rachele 3, Cook 2, Keays 2, Fogarty 2, Rankine 2, Ah Chee, Thilthorpe, Walker
Western Bulldogs: Jones 2, Lewis 2, Richards 2, Freijah, Naughton, Sanders

BEST
Adelaide: Worrell, Milera, Rankine, Rachele, Dawson, Fogarty, Cook
Western Bulldogs: Richards, Freijah, Bontempelli, Williams, Hynes  

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Adelaide: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Michael Sellwood (concussion) replaced in selected side by Lachie McNeil

Crowd: 51,370 at Adelaide Oval