It's been 42 years since the top team in football has bowed out in straight sets.
North Melbourne in 1983 finished the season on top of the ladder in the VFL, with only five teams competing for the premiership. Despite the strong regular campaign, they lost to Hawthorn and Essendon.
Adelaide rightfully claimed the 2025 minor premiership after nine straight wins to round out the home and away season, but fell well short in last Thursday's qualifying final against Collingwood.
The visitors applied immense pressure, typical of September football, and the Crows were unable to match it.
A looming crunch clash against a rampaging Hawthorn outfit could spell the end of the campaign for Adelaide, but also place them in the history books for a straight-sets exit as the highest-ranked side.
"I haven't even thought about that, mate, to be honest," veteran utility Rory Laird said.
The Crows looked a few cents shy of a dollar as their prime movers failed to rise to the occasion.
However, Laird believes a poor patch in the third quarter turned the game in Collingwood's favour, which ultimately determined the outcome.
"For the majority of the time, it was not too bad. It was just that 10-minute period around the contest," Laird said.
"Collingwood amped the pressure up, and we probably didn't match it for that period, and that's where they were able to get that momentum."
Adelaide lacked that star power up forward, with the three-pronged attack of Riley Thilthorpe, Taylor Walker and Darcy Fogarty combining for a measly four goals, although Luke Pedlar bobbed up with three.
The absence of Izak Rankine (suspension) and Josh Rachele (injury) was felt in the loss to Collingwood, but the likely inclusion of the latter should bring a sense of energy to Adelaide Oval.
Rachele hasn't played since Round 17 after tearing his posterior capsular in his left knee, but has been "tracking really well" toward a much-needed senior recall.
"He's tracking really well – glad I'm not match committee, there's a few decisions to make this week," Laird said.
"But he has progressed really well over the last couple of weeks.
"It's not my decision, but he'll be out there training tomorrow, and he'll put his best foot forward.
"It will be quite an extensive, lengthy discussion."
