Adelaide's Brayden Cook has kicked the match-winning goal with 10 seconds left in a one-point victory against arch-rivals Port Adelaide. Cook's stunning running shot delivered the Crows a stirring 11.10 (76) to 11.9 (75) victory at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
Cook Enters Folklore
Cook cemented his place in Showdown history with a 45-metre shot to snatch victory, just 35 seconds after young Power forward Joe Berry had snapped a left-footer to give Port a five-point lead. Cook's late heroics lifted the Crows to a famous win and a 4-4 win-loss record this season, while Port slipped to 3-5 after another classic encounter between the South Australian rivals.
Key Performers
Adelaide half-back Wayne Milera continued his outstanding form with 29 disposals, while Jake Soligo (22 touches), Izak Rankine (23, one goal) and Sam Berry (29) were influential in midfield. Ben Keays kicked three goals, and Josh Rachele and Toby Murray added two each, with Riley Thilthorpe (one goal) well held by Port's Aliir Aliir.
For the Power, Zak Butters (30 disposals), Ollie Wines (30) and Jason Horne-Francis (20) were the prime movers, while Mitch Georgiades booted three goals, and Corey Durdin and Berry contributed two apiece.
Controversial Decisions
The match was marred by two controversial decisions that went against Adelaide. Midway through the third term, Soligo thought he had kicked a goal to bring the Crows within seven points, but the ARC overturned the decision, ruling the ball had gone over the top of the goalpost despite seemingly inconclusive camera angles.
When the ball next went out of play, the broadcaster showed AFL commissioner Andrew Ireland, CEO Andrew Dillon and football boss Greg Swann, who were loudly booed by the pro-Crows crowd. Adelaide great Mark Ricciuto said on Fox Sports: "How can you turn that over with that (evidence)? That's a little bit crazy. You've got to prove that that's a point."
Former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley agreed: "Honestly, I've got no explanation for you for that, and I don't believe that's a turnover decision that they should go with. I don't think that's definitive."
Later in the final quarter, Adelaide was denied another goal when Wayne Milera kicked from 50 metres but had it disallowed due to a push by Rachele on Logan Evans in the goal square. Replays showed only minor contact, sparking further displeasure from Adelaide fans.
Match Summary
Port held a 3.2 to 1.2 quarter-time lead, with Georgiades among the goalscorers. Adelaide lost former captain Taylor Walker to a right hamstring injury but fought back, with goals to Keays and Rachele leveling the scores at 22-all. Power acting skipper Butters restored a slender six-point lead after converting a set shot from a dubious free kick against Soligo.
Port led 4.4 to 3.4 at halftime, with Milera (19 touches) and Butters (18) outstanding. The Power extended their advantage to 13 points midway through the third term before Adelaide rallied. A stunning running goal from Rankine, followed by Keays' second major and Murray's two clutch set shots, gave Adelaide an eight-point lead at three-quarter time, 8.9 to 7.7.
Keays kicked his third goal early in the final term as the Crows went 15 points clear, and Thilthorpe's left-footer extended the lead to 21 points five minutes in. But Port stormed back with four consecutive goals, including two from Georgiades, closing to within two points before Berry's snap gave them a late five-point lead. Adelaide pressed forward frantically, and Cook delivered the match-winner in the dying seconds.
