Collingwood have trounced Adelaide by 66 points to climb into the AFL’s top four and all but kill off the Crows’ finals chances.
Magpie Jamie Elliott booted five goals in a resounding 17.12 (114) to 6.12 (48) triumph in Saturday’s Adelaide Oval twilight fixture.
Collingwood hold fourth spot – but will lose it if Richmond defeat reigning premiers West Coast on Sunday.
Ninth-placed Adelaide’s finals fate now rests with others after their biggest loss of the year.
The Crows must beat the Western Bulldogs next Sunday and hope Port Adelaide (eighth) and the Dogs (10th) don’t win their two remaining games – and should the Power and Bulldogs win once more, Adelaide could still miss out on percentage.
Adelaide was listless in their sixth defeat in their past eight matches – they didn’t kick a goal until the 20th minute of the second quarter.
The Magpies held a 17-point halftime lead before settling the result with a third-term scoring spree of six unanswered goals in 22 minutes.
Elliott was dynamic, forming a dangerous forward line with Josh Thomas and Travis Varcoe who booted two goals each – as did Will Hoskin-Elliott and Tom Phillips.
The fleet-footed forwards feasted on regular supply from a dominant midfield headed by captain Scott Pendlebury (34 possessions), Adam Treloar (27 disposals) and Taylor Adams, whose 24 touches featured three goals.
Collingwood’s defence, marshalled by Brayden Maynard (30 disposals) and Jack Crisp (29 touches) stifled Adelaide’s attacking threats.
And Brodie Grundy (35 hit-outs) ruled the rucks against the Crows’ 200-gamer Sam Jacobs and Reilly O’Brien, who had 27 hitouts between them.
Adelaide’s Paul Seedsman gathered 30 disposals in his 100th game, Darcy Fogarty kicked three goals – though two came in final-quarter junk time – while Daniel Talia and Brodie Smith (29 possessions) battled against the tide.
But the Crows would be hard-pressed to find an outright winner in any position.
Collingwood took a 2.2 to 0.5 quarter-time advantage after the Crows dominated the inside 50 count 15-8 but couldn’t capitalise on the scoreboard.
Adelaide didn’t muster a major until Richard Douglas converted a set shot in the 20th minute of the second term.
Collingwood led 5.5 to 2.6 at halftime and then produced their match-defining blitz, with Elliott scoring two of his side’s six consecutive goals to lay the victory platform.
The Magpies host Essendon at the MCG on Friday night while the Crows meet the Bulldogs in Ballarat next Sunday.
