After the greatest rise up the ladder in footy history, Adelaide returns to the finals with a tense qualifying final blockbuster against the team that sat flag favourite for most of 2025, Collingwood.
The Crows (1st, 18-5, 139.3%) claimed the minor premiership one year after finishing 15th on the ladder, and now have two home finals in their first September action since the 2017 Grand Final.
The Magpies (4th, 16-7, 122.4%) faded badly late in the season, losing five of six games at one stage, but their 14-2 start to the year means they’re still just one win away from a home prelim.
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Izak Rankine’s four-game suspension for the use of a homophobic slur against Collingwood weeks ago in Round 23 has left a major void in Adelaide’s line-up, one that Crows legend Mark Ricciuto believes can’t be replaced tonight at the Adelaide Oval.
“You can’t substitute an Izak Rankine unfortunately, and if we were to substitute someone for Rankine, it would probably be Josh Rachele — and he’s not there either,” Ricciuto told foxfooty.com.au on Thursday afternoon.
“Max Michalanney has trained there (up forward) since he’s been back to full fitness, so I’m not sure what they’ve got in mind there. Is it a defensive forward role, or just go forward and do his best?”
Michalanney has been recalled for the Crows after overcoming a hamstring injury he sustained in Round 20 against Port Adelaide, with Luke Pedlar the second inclusion for the home side.
Youngsters Billy Dowling and Sid Draper have made way for the duo.
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MATCH CENTRE: Adelaide vs Collingwood live scores, stats and updates
Collingwood has also made a selection statement, picking 211cm giant Mason Cox for the first time since Round 19, for just his ninth AFL game this season. Category B rookie Wil Parker also comes in, with a sore Dan McStay and injured Jeremy Howe making way.
The First Qualifying Final will play host to a number of milestones, none bigger than former Adelaide captain Taylor Walker, who will play AFL game number 300 tonight.
The 35-year-old is the Crows’ all-time leading goalkicker, with over 200 more than the next closest in Tony Modra. The 2023 All-Australian has continued to defy select criticism over his ability to perform week-in, week-out in the twilight of his career, but Ricciuto says he couldn’t be prouder of the Broken Hill product.
“It’s amazing what Tex has been able to do over the last four or five years. He was on the ropes a while ago, and his body aching coincided with the start of a rebuild,” Ricciuto continued.
“That can be mentally and physically challenging. But he has matured, grown up, developed and embraced all of the above — and he has played some of the best footy of his career.
“He’s arguably been more important to the Adelaide Football Club over the last few years, than he has the rest of his career (prior).
“He’s been more important to the Crows than anyone in a long time.”
Crows weigh up best plan for Rankine | 03:15
Crows recruit Alex Neal-Bullen will celebrate AFL game 200, Magpies star Josh Daicos will bring up match 150, while Mark Keane will run out for his 50th match as a Crow, ironically against his old side.
Tonight’s winner will host one of Geelong, Brisbane, Fremantle or Gold Coast in the First Preliminary Final in two weeks’ time.
Tonight’s loser will host either GWS or Hawthorn in the First Semi Final next week.
This match gets underway at 7:40pm AEST from Adelaide Oval, with the substitutes and final teams for each side to be confirmed an hour beforehand.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504), and stream it on Kayo, from 6:30pm AEST.
Follow our coverage of Adelaide v Collingwood in the First Qualifying Final live below!