The Gold Coast Bulletin

BETTS PUTS PAID TO ROOS’ CHANCES

- CROWS KANGAROOS 86 77

ADELAIDE survived a late scare in a tense nine-point win against North Melbourne that leaves the Kangaroos needing a miracle to reach the finals.

Midfielder Matt Crouch was outstandin­g with 46 disposals as the Crows triumphed 12.14 (86) to 11.11 (77) yesterday at Adelaide Oval.

The finals chances of the 10th-placed Kangaroos are slight – they’re a win behind eighth-placed Geelong and ninth-placed Port Adelaide entering the last round.

North need Geelong to lose at home by a massive margin to lowly Gold Coast, Essendon to down Port – and the Roos must also beat St Kilda by a huge amount.

North trailed Adelaide by 37 points late in the third term before a kicking four goals in five minutes to trail by three points with six minutes remaining.

But Adelaide hung on, with Eddie Betts taking a spectacula­r mark with seconds to go and converting after the siren.

North paid dearly for a second-term slumber – after booting the initial two goals, Adelaide kicked eight of the next nine to seize control.

The Crows kicked 4.4 to 0.3 for a 28-point halftime lead and extended it to 37 points late in the third before North’s rally.

Crouch was superb with 11 kicks and 35 handballs while Rory Sloane collected 29 possession­s.

 ?? Picture: Getty Images ?? Eddie Betts marks and converts the shot to put the Roos to rest.
Picture: Getty Images Eddie Betts marks and converts the shot to put the Roos to rest.

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