‘What a finish!’: Crows win instant classic, end Carlton’s AFL reign

Adelaide beat Carlton in a thriller.

Adelaide have won a classic AFL thriller, keeping their season alive and ending Carlton’s reign as the kings of the close finish.

Adelaide have somehow kept their season alive with a thrilling two-point win over Carlton on Saturday night in one of the games of the season.

Both teams hit the scoreboard regularly and the clash turned into an old fashioned shootout under the roof at Marvel Stadium.

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The score was tied 50-50 at halftime and it looked like Carlton would hold on for a fifth win of the season when the Blues took the lead in the fourth quarter.

But the Crows simply wouldn’t give up, kicking the last three goals of the game to snatch a 16.4 (100) to 14.14 (98) victory.

Sam Berry was immense for Adelaide after coming on as the substitute and the hard-nosed midfielder was the hero, snapping the go-head goal in traffic with a minute left on the clock.

Carlton had one last chance to go forward but Crows defender Mark Keane saved the day with an intercept mark as the siren sounded.

Watch Berry’s matchwinner in the video above.

Sam Berry kicked the matchwinner. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Adelaide’s season is still alive. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The thrilling game had viewers in raptures and Crows fans hopeful their season isn’t over yet.

Footy reporter Rohan Connolly wrote on X: “Oh wow, what a finish!! Bloody terrific win from the Crows! Gutsy stuff!”

Commentator Corbin Middlemas said: “How good is footy. Underdog wins Thursday night, Friday night … Saturday afternoon one point, Saturday twilight two points.”

The AFL Record’s Ashley Browne said of Berry’s late-game efforts: “Can a sub get Brownlow votes?”

Sport journalist Dan Brettig said: “Crows back to playing something like their best style. Only took a month.”

The Age’s Marc McGowan said: “Ah, so it’s one of *those* rounds. Hugely important win for the Crows.”

Carlton finally lost a close game. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The result hands the Blues their first loss of the season and ends their six-game streak of winning games decided by a goal or less.

How good is footy 🙌

Butts plays the game out with a strained hammy…cause he just had to.

Played like a GF for Adel, no tomorrow.

Blues huge again, great game 👏👏👏

— Nathan Buckley (@ncb_cfc) April 13, 2024

ADEL last 7 games decided by 6 points or fewer
L L L L L L W

CARL last 7 games decided by 6 points or fewer
W W W W W W L

#AFLBluesCrows@AFL

— Swamp (@sirswampthing) April 13, 2024

The Crows rediscovered their scoring prowess from last year, kicking 16 goals and just four behind with remarkable accuracy.

Taylor Walker kicked four goals, Izak Rankine and Ben Keays had three each and Josh Rachele finished with two majors.

Charlie Curnow kicked four goals and three behinds, while Harry McKay had two goals.

Carlton also lost Mitch McGovern, Adam Saad and Adam Cerra to hamstring injuries on Saturday.

GWS and Geelong remain the two unbeaten teams so far this season. The Giants beat St Kilda by one point on Saturday and Cats take on lowly North Melbourne at home on Sunday.