NORTH Melbourne has held on for its first win over Adelaide for six years by nine points despite a barnstorming finish from the Crows at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Listless and lacking aggression for three quarters, the Crows staged a spectacular 11th-hour comeback to kick seven goals to nil in the final term, but couldn’t rein in the Roos, who won 12.12 (84) to 11.9 (75).

The loss of two big men - Hamish McIntosh with a pre-game shoulder injury and David Hale with back spasms in the second quarter - didn’t seem to unduly trouble the Roos, but their final quarter fade out will concern coach Brad Scott.

For all their last-quarter heroics, the Crows recorded their seventh loss of the season and are now certain to miss the finals.

Brady Rawlings was unstoppable across the back line for North, seeing off half a dozen opponents to amass 37 possessions in a dominant display. Skipper Brent Harvey chipped in with three goals and 24 possessions.

The Crows were unable to capitalise on a five-minute opening burst in the first term, with just one goal from Richard Douglas to show for their dominance, and the Kangaroos snatched back the momentum when Harvey snapped truly at the 12-minute mark.

A brilliant no-look left-foot snap by mercurial midfielder Andrew McLeod gave the Crows some cheer in an otherwise dour first quarter showing.

McLeod’s goal halted a three-goal North run, but Harvey responded superbly with his second less than a minute later.

Walker’s errant shot late in the first term - made worse with two of his teammates alone in the goal square - left the Crows two goals in arrears.

The Crows apathetic finish to the first term continued into the second term as the Roos kicked clear with a four goals to nil quarter.

Leigh Harding opened proceedings with two goals in as many minutes, while Daniel Wells’ first goal of the game blew out the the Roos’ lead to 36 points late in quarter.

In the third term, the lead was stretched to 53 points as North piled on four goals to two, but the thrilling final quarter kept fans in their seats until the final siren.

North Melbourne    4.3    8.4    12.11    12.12 (84)
Adelaide        2.3    2.4    4.5    11.9 (75)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Harvey 3, Swallow 2, Harding 2, Edwards 2, Wells, Thomas, Goldstein
Adelaide: Walker 3, Porplyzia 2, McLeod, Petrenko, Stevens, Cook, Vince, Tippett
 
BEST
North Melbourne: Rawlings, Swallow, Wells, Goldstein, Harvey, Edwards
Adelaide: McLeod, Armstron, Bock, Walker, Goodwin, Rutten, Schmidt
 
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Hale (back spasms)
Adelaide: Nil
 
Reports: Nil
 
Umpires: Nicholls, Jeffery, Keating

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs