It’s finally here. Adelaide Oval is hosting the first qualifying final between the ladder-topping Crows and reigning premiers Collingwood—and you couldn’t ask for a juicier matchup to kick off September.

The Context – Rebuild vs Curse

The Crows’ long rebuild has finally paid off. They’ve nailed the impossible AFL task: finish minor premiers while developing a strong young core. Riley Thilthorpe, Jordan Dawson, and Josh Rachele headline a list built patiently rather than through big trades.

Across the fence, Collingwood arrives from fourth. The Pies carry the weight of a curious stat: no side finishing fourth has gone on to win the flag since the current finals system was introduced in 2000. That’s a long hoodoo to shake.

Rivalry at Boiling Point

Crows v Pies has been simmering for years—missed frees, fiery finishes, and debates that spill off the field. This final pours petrol on the fire.

Adelaide brings pace and pressure, hunting turnovers high up the ground. Collingwood relies on structure, discipline, and Nick Daicos brilliance. Something has to give.

The Rankine Sideshow

The Izak Rankine drama won’t go away. Serving a four-match ban, he’ll be at the Oval but kept away from teammates before the bounce. He’s not allowed in the rooms until after the game.

Security is ramped up. While the Crows insist it won’t be a distraction, plenty of fans and media aren’t convinced. It’s a strange subplot in an already tense clash.

Tex’s 300th

If finals footy wasn’t enough, this game doubles as Taylor Walker’s 300th. Tex joins rare company as just the fifth Crow to hit the milestone. Fans have flooded club channels with tributes.

There’s a sense this could be his crowning moment—minor premiers, home qualifying final, and the milestone of a lifetime.

The Talking Points for BigFooty

  • Can the Crows convert a dominant season into September wins, or will nerves show?
  • Do the Pies break the fourth-place hoodoo or crumble under it?
  • How much does Rankine’s off-field exile impact Adelaide?
  • Who wins the midfield battle: Dawson or Daicos?
  • Does Tex cap off his 300th with a finals classic?

Final Word

This is more than a qualifying final. It’s a statement game for both clubs: Adelaide to prove their rebuild delivers silverware; Collingwood to show they can still go back-to-back despite form wobbles.

Expect fireworks, controversy, and a clash that could shape the entire finals series.