Andrew Wu at Telstra Dome
Brad Johnson was the hero in his 300th game and Nathan Bock the villain as the Western Bulldogs defeated Adelaide by three points in a nerve-jangling thriller at Telstra Dome on Sunday.
In the most dramatic game of the round thus far, Bock missed a chance to win the game for the Crows with the last kick of the game when he pulled his set shot to the left, handing the Bulldogs a 19.12 (126) to 18.15 (123) win.
His behind came after Scott Stevens put the Crows back within a kick after Johnson had seemingly put the game beyond reach of the visitors when he booted three goals in less than five minutes to put the Bulldogs 10 points up with just on a minute remaining.
The Bulldogs themselves had fought back from the brink of defeat after Simon Goodwin put the Crows eight points in front at the 26-minute mark of the last term.
Given a guard of honour by players from both sides, Johnson was carried off the field by Scott West and Lindsay Gilbee to the adulation of the Bulldogs fans.
Apart from the first quarter when a rampant Bulldogs side kicked five goals to one, it looked as if Johnson's 300th game would be soured by a loss.
The Bulldogs, unable to deal with the Crows' tactic of putting numbers behind the ball, made too many skill errors which allowed Adelaide to grind its way into the game.
They hit the front two minutes prior to half-time when Richard Douglas kicked their fourth unanswered goal then blew the lead out to 19 points early in the third.
The Bulldogs, with Scott Welsh being subdued and no other big bodies in attack to aim at, now looked nothing like the side which dominated early, the difference highlighted by inexplicable kicks out on the full by Johnson and Ryan Griffen.
Just when the Crows appeared the run away with the game, the Bulldogs awoke from their slumber.
Moved into the middle, Jason Akermanis provided a spark; Adam Cooney rediscovered his early form and Johnson, hitherto quiet, started to influence the match.
Suddenly, the Bulldogs were full of run, their extra carry allowing them to kick over centre half-forward to an open forward 50, while the Crows were left flat-footed.
The final quarter, which saw four lead changes, became a battle of attrition, fatigue causing players from both sides to make seemingly inexplicable mistakes.
But with his side searching for a hero, Johnson stepped up to the stage to sink the Crows.
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 5.4, 6.9, 13.9, 19.12 (126)
ADELAIDE: 2.1, 7.8, 12.13, 18.15 (123)
GOALS: Western Bulldogs: Johnson 5, Welsh 4, Giansiracusa 3, Akermanis, Eagleton, Gilbee, Hahn, Hill, R.Murphy, Wight
Adelaide: Burton 5, Douglas 2, Edwards 2, Goodwin 2, McGregor 2, Tippett 2, McLeod, Reilly, Stevens
BEST: Western Bulldogs: Cooney, Johnson, West, Akermanis, Cross, Eagleton
Adelaide: Burton, Porplyzia, Reilly, Goodwin, Stevens
INJURIES: Western Bulldogs: Eagleton (ankle)
Adelaide: Reilly (wrist)
REPORTS: -
CHANGES: -
UMPIRES: Sully, Schmitt, Wenn
CROWD: 25,835 at Telstra Dome