By Harry Thring
A brilliant performance from Patrick Dangerfield inspired Adelaide to a 91-point win over Gold Coast on Saturday, with the Crows securing second spot on the AFL ladder and a home final in the process.
With the Swans going down to Geelong at Simonds Stadium, the Crows will host John Longmire's men at AAMI Stadium in a qualifying final next weekend.
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The final score was 22.21(153) to 9.8 (62) as Adelaide - returning to the finals for the first time since 2009 - ended the home and away season by equalling the club record for wins in a season in 17.
Dangerfield did his Brownlow Medal chances a world of good with a 36-possession, two-goal, best-on-ground display, outshining fellow Brownlow fancies Scott Thompson and Gary Ablett.
The 22-year-old's two first-term goals helped the Crows to an early lead, but wasteful kicking kept the Sunsin it until the main break when they trailed by 31 points.
Ablett was prolific early, but poor kicking efficiency let him down, while original SUNS Charlie Dixon's attack on the ball was fearsome.
The home side took control of the game in the third quarter with 18 inside 50s to eight and put the foot down in the final quarter to storm into the finals on the back of a seven-goal final term.
Thompson continued his outstanding season with 30 disposals and two goals, while Ian Callinan and Graham Johncock, each with four goals, were the pick of Adelaide's 12 goal kickers.
It was another disappointing loss for Gold Coast, who will finish in 17th position, and their veteran Campbell Brown faces more Match Review Panel scrutiny.
Brown, who carries a lengthy rap sheet, crudely collided with Adelaide's nine-gamer Aidan Riley in the second term when the Crow was bent over trying to gather a loose ball.
ADELAIDE 3.6 9.13 15.18 22.21(153)
GOLD COAST 1.3 5.6 7.6 9.8 (62)
BEST
Adelaide: Dangerfield, Thompson, Mackay, van Berlo, Callinan, Porplyzia
Gold Coast: Ablett, Stanely, Matera, Bennell, Dixon, Lynch,
GOALS
Adelaide: Callinan (4), Johncock (4), Dangerfield (2), van Berlo (2), Petrenko (2), Thompson (2), Jacobs, Porplyzia, Riley, Smith, Talia, Tippett
Gold Coast: Ablett (2), May (2), Brown, Gillbee, Lynch, Matera, Shaw
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Gold Coast: Nil
SUBSTITUTIONS
Adelaide: Matthew Jaensch replaced Daniel Talia in the third quarter.
Gold Coast: Piers Flanagan replaced Tom Hickey in the third quarter.
Umpires: Fleer, Hay, Findlay
Official crowd: 35,463 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
