Ferocious Pies send Crows packing
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Paul Medhurst produced a vintage forward performance to lead the Magpies home. (Getty Images: Robert Prezioso)
Collingwood showed Adelaide the exit door to the 2008 AFL season with a 31-point win in an entertaining elimination final at Football Park on Saturday afternoon.
A stirring seven goals to three third quarter by the Magpies set up the triumph, the visitors eventually running out comfortable 19.11 (125) to 14.10 (94) victors.
The Crows produced a magical seven goals to three second term of their own to go into the long break 12 points ahead.
But Collingwood turned in the type of second-half performance that has them earmarked as a premiership bolter, dominating the centre clearances and relying on their ferocious tackling pressure to progress to the second week of the finals.
They will now take on the losers of Sunday afternoon's qualifying final between Geelong and St Kilda at the MCG.
For Adelaide it was their second successive elimination final loss, after they were pipped by three points against Hawthorn last year. It was also the last game for long-serving defender Nathan Bassett.
Young Magpies John Anthony and Chris Dawes both kicked three goals each while Paul Medhurst was integral to icing the game in the final quarter despite only picking up the one major.
Dane Swan kicked two quick goals before half-time to keep Collingwood in the contest as well as a game-high 23 possessions alongside notable performances by Marty Clarke, Shane O'Bree and ruckman Josh Fraser.
With key forward Jason Porplyzia missing, the Crows found an unlikely goal-scoring source in Scott Stevens who poached six goals and 15 touches in a superb showing.
Andrew McLeod (two goals) and Michael Doughty were the led the disposals for the Crows with 19 and 18 touches respectively.
Crows stumble in see-sawing affair
The loss leaves Adelaide coach Neil Craig's finals record at a disappointing 2-7 as his side gave away a 24-point lead moments before half-time to slump to yet another early finals exit in front of a poor home crowd.
The Crows started slowly as the likes of Leon Davis continued his mesmerising recent form to help Collingwood to opening three goals of the match and a 13-point lead at the first change.
Adelaide responded when experienced trio Tyson Edwards, McLeod and Graham Johncock combined for three straight majors either side of the break to kick-start the Crows' challenge.
But Swan's late act before the half-time siren served to inspire the visitors, who returned from the break breathing fire as their trademark forward pressure stifled Adelaide's attempts to deliver efficient ball through the midfield.
In very hot and taxing conditions, the Magpies began to flex their muscle in the middle of the park as Fraser dominated the ruck area, allowing quick delivery to the likes of speedsters Rhys Shaw and Dale Thomas.
Medhurst and Anthony also benefitted whilst roaming free up front as the margin reached 20 points at three-quarter time.
The hosts hinted at a revival, kicking the first two goals of the last quarter to come within seven points, but they were soon overrun by the cool heads and young legs of the Magpies who will most likely have captain Scott Burns return next week.
Magpies: 19.11 (125) - J Anthony 3, C Dawes 3, D Swan 2, N Maxwell 2, M Clarke, T Cloke, S Cox, L Davis, T Lockyer, J Fraser, P Medhurst, R Shaw, D Thomas.
Crows: 14.10 (94) - S Stevens 6, A McLeod 2, N Bassett, T Edwards, N Gill, G Johncock, D Mackay, I Maric.
