CARDIAC CROWS! AFL world in ‘disbelief’ as 9yr Pies hoodoo over in bonkers thriller

CARDIAC CROWS! AFL world in ‘disbelief’ as 9yr Pies hoodoo over in bonkers thriller

Adelaide has finally broken its nine-year curse against Collingwood in the most dramatic of fashions, stunning the AFL world with a pulsating one-point win that will go down as one of the matches of the season.

The Crows, so often heartbroken by the Magpies in recent years, flipped the script on Saturday night at Adelaide Oval, prevailing 96-95 in a see-sawing contest that left fans gasping until the final siren. For a side that had lost 11 straight games against Collingwood dating back to 2016, the result was more than just four premiership points — it was a cathartic release.

A match of wild swings

The game had everything: momentum swings, crunching tackles, umpiring drama, and moments of individual brilliance. Adelaide burst out of the blocks with ferocious pressure, kicking the first four goals and stunning the usually composed Magpies midfield. Collingwood steadied through the class of Nick Daicos and Jordan De Goey, clawing their way back to take a narrow half-time lead.

From there, it was a tug-of-war. Every time Collingwood looked to break away, Adelaide found a response. Izak Rankine was electric in attack, combining flair with composure in front of goal, while skipper Jordan Dawson led by example with tireless running and precision kicking.

The Magpies, renowned for their ability to surge late, seemed poised to repeat their trademark trick in the final quarter. Goals to Jamie Elliott and Brody Mihocek gave them a seven-point buffer with just minutes left, and many in the stands braced for yet another heartbreaking chapter in the “Cardiac Crows” saga.

The moment that broke the curse

But this time Adelaide refused to fold. A desperate turnover in midfield sparked a fast break, ending with Darcy Fogarty slotting a set shot to reduce the margin. With under a minute remaining, Adelaide surged again, and in a moment that will be replayed for years, youngster Josh Rachele crumbed a loose ball and snapped truly, putting the Crows in front by a single point.

The final 30 seconds were chaos. Collingwood pumped the ball forward, a scrambled pack formed inside 50, and Adelaide’s defence somehow held firm as the siren blared. Players collapsed in exhaustion as the stadium erupted in disbelief.

AFL world reacts

Social media lit up instantly. Fans hailed it as “the game of the year,” while commentators marveled at Adelaide’s resilience. “We’ve seen Collingwood break so many hearts in this exact situation,” one analyst said. “Tonight, Adelaide flipped the script.”

For the Crows, the result carries more than symbolic value. It reignites their finals push and injects belief into a young group that has often fallen short in close contests. For Collingwood, it’s a rare taste of their own medicine — a reminder that even the best clutch team in the competition can be beaten at their own game.

After nine long years of torment, the hoodoo is dead. And in doing so, Adelaide has gifted footy fans a thriller that will be remembered for seasons to come.