Finals footy is upon us, with the Pies travelling back to Adelaide for the second time in three games – this time for a highly-anticipated Qualifying Final against the Crows.

It was just a three-point margin in favour of the home side when the Magpie and Crows went at it at Adelaide Oval in Round 23 – a game that set up this first against fourth clash.

With the Thursday evening fixture kicking off Week 1 of the Toyota AFL Finals Series, the stage is set for yet another thrilling September.

Last time they met

Adelaide (59) defeated Collingwood (56)

It was the Crows who got over the line by under a goal less than three weeks ago.

On a wet and wild night in the city of churches, it was the Pies who got out to a hot start, kicking five goals to one in the opening term to take the initial ascendancy.

Adelaide had taken the lead by half time with a strong second quarter, however from there on in it was an arm wrestle.

Despite a brilliant late goal from outside fifty courtesy of Nick Daicos, it was the Crows who held on to win by single figures.

Daicos (29 disposals), Darcy Cameron (30 hit outs, 24 disposals) and Jack Crisp (29 disposals, 13 tackles) were the standouts for the Pies on the night.

The win for the Crows was the first time they had beaten Collingwood since Round 17, 2016.

Head-to-head & finals history

The Pies have a remarkably favourable record against the Crows both in recent times and in their previous finals match ups.

The Pies have come out victorious in 10 of their last 11 games against the Crows, with the only loss being in Round 23 this year.

Just as remarkable is how close the margins have been each time, with the Pies victorious by single-digit margins five times of out those 10 wins.

Crucially for the visitors, Adelaide Oval has been the venue for wins by one point and five points in 2023 and 2022 respectively, among a strong record at the ground.

Finals between the Pies and Crows have also gone in favour of the black and white, with Collingwood winning all three finals between the two sides.

They famously got over the line by 28 points in the 2002 Preliminary Final, while 2008 (Elimination Final) and 2009 (Semi Final) produced September wins over the Crows in consecutive years.

Key matchups

Adelaide’s key forwards against the Pies’ defence

A key factor in Adelaide’s rise from 15^th to first on the ladder in 2025 has been their three-pronged tall forward line, with Riley Thilthorpe, Taylor Walker and Darcy Fogarty all enjoying standout seasons.

Thilthorpe has been the most prolific in front of the big sticks, finishing the home and away season with 55, while sharpshooters Walker and Fogarty slotted 37 and 40 goals respectively.

Collingwood’s key defenders, led by Captain Darcy Moore, will prime themselves for a big contest with the Adelaide trio.

Vice-captain Brayden Maynard and tall Billy Frampton will also play a major role in the Pies’ defensive efforts.

Nick Daicos and Jordan Dawson

Each side’s Brownlow Medal contender, Daicos and Dawson will rule the roost from the midfield.

While not necessarily lining up on each other at each centre bounce, the mids are often the spark for their teams and will be crucial to the outcome of the game.

Daicos is averaging 30 disposals in 2025 and having netted a third consecutive All Australian blazer, will be full of confidence going into his sixth final.

Pies’ forwards and the Crows’ AA squad duo

While star Pies forward Jamie Elliott’s 52-goal home and away season meant he was unlucky to miss selection in the 2025 All Australian team, the same can be said for a pair of strong Crows defenders.

Elliott, alongside the likes of Brody Mihocek and Tim Membrey will come up against Mark Keane and Josh Worrell on Thursday night who were members of the initial 44-player AA squad.

Elliott and Membrey both kicked two goals in the clash between the two sides in Round 23 and will take confidence from their strong form.