2002 season History of the Adelaide Football Club

adelaide won first 3 matches in 2002, , despite mid-season slump of 3 losses in row (rounds 12-14) finished season in third place 15-7 win-loss record, both club bests @ time. crows won 13 of matches against teams did not make finals, 2 out of 9 matches against fellow top 8 teams: 7-point triumph on reigning (and eventual) premiers brisbane lions in round 10 , 48-point victory on essendon in round 19, both @ football park.

under afl final 8 system, crows faced second-placed brisbane @ gabba in second qualifying final , lost 71 points, 17.13 (115) 5.14 (44). due finishing in top four, adelaide received double chance , home semi final against melbourne, played @ mcg due mcc agreement. adelaide led 40 points @ quarter time, before demons rallied, taking 29-point lead late in third quarter. however, crows responded final-quarter surge win 12 points, 20.10 (130) 17.16 (118). win gave them preliminary final berth against collingwood @ mcg. adelaide led in second quarter collingwood surged win, 13.13 (91) 9.9 (63), progressing grand final @ adelaide s expense. collingwood lose brisbane following week in first of successive grand finals contested 2 teams.

ben hart won second malcolm blight medal in 2002, tyson edwards finishing runner-up. brett burton led crows goalkickers 51. hart , mark ricciuto both named all-australians, while second successive season, adelaide had no rising star nominees.

in off-season, adelaide secured services of champion centre half forward wayne carey in trade kangaroos. achieved three-way deal along richmond, homesick midfielder kane johnson , several draft picks went richmond , richmond s top 2 draft picks, 2 , 18, traded kangaroos. adelaide received richmond defender jason torney part of deal. crows traded veteran geelong small forward ronnie burns, giving ben finnin in exchange. robert shirley re-drafted club @ pick 56 in national draft, while jason porplyzia drafted first time @ pick 29 in rookie draft.