AFL results 2026, Adelaide Crows vs Melbourne Demons, Round 15

Adelaide has held off a high-pressure Melbourne outfit to continue their red-hot run of form, clinching a 17-point win on Saturday afternoon at Adelaide Oval

Neither side took full control of the contest, but the Crows were able to hold momentum when it mattered late in the final term — winning 11.13 (79) over the Demons’ 9.8 (62).

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The hosts had several huge contributors throughout the afternoon, without having any one standout, with the inclusions of Izak Rankine, Mark Keane and Taylor Walker strengthening Matthew Nicks’ side across all three thirds of the ground.

The trio all played critical roles in their sixth win from their last seven games, with Keane in particular dominant in defence to record a game-high nine intercept possessions.

“It was a really even team performance, wasn’t it? No real standout, and they all contributed when they needed to,” 287-game Saint Leigh Montagna told Fox Footy post-game.

On the contrary, Melbourne were held to their lowest score of 2026 in what has been a breakout season for first-year coach Steven King after multiple key players left the club last off-season.

Jacob van Rooyen lit up the ‘Crowval’ with three first-quarter goals, but was well-held after quarter time as the hosts’ defence once again stood tall — despite the absence of Josh Worrell (illness) for Adelaide.

Adelaide goalkickers: Rachele 3, Dawson, Fogarty 2, Walker, Keays, Milera, Thilthorpe

Melbourne goalkickers: van Rooyen 3, Langford, Chandler, Jefferson 2

THE 3-2-1 (what we learned via Ben Cotton)…

3. GUTSY CROWS STAY HOT UNDER ADVERTISY AS FANS SHOW LOVE TO MODRA

It wasn’t pretty, but Adelaide scrapped to victory in a tough and gutsy performance.

One of the in-form teams right now, the Crows made it six wins from their last seven to charge into top four and premiership calculations.

They also held the high-octane Demons to their lowest score this season.

Beyond the hard-fought contest itself, Adelaide also got it done despite adversity off the field after club great Tony Modra’s truck crash on Thursday left him in a critical but stable condition.

Crows fans showed love to Modra, who worse the No. 6 guernsey, with an applause at the six-minute mark of the first term in a lovely tribute.

There were also some fans holding up signs of well wishes to the high-flying Crows legend.

While Josh Rachele lined up for goal, former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said: “It’d be fitting if we get a goal here.”

To which Crows legend and Modra’s ex-teammate Mark Ricciuto responded: “Or a hanger in the goalsquare!”

The Crows have endured several tragic and challenging events throughout their history as they were faced with more trying circumstances over the past 48 hours.

Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks, who has a close relationship with Modra, said pre-game the 57-year old is a “big, big part of our family” and still has an unofficial role at the Crows as a club ambassador.

Nicks revealed the Crows addressed the sad situation as a group 90 minutes before the contest, but quickly switched into game mode.

“To hear what he and his family are going through at the moment, we spoke about that openly as a group an hour and a half ago,” Nicks told Fox Footy before the game.

“The reality is, we now need to lock in and focus on what we’re doing right now.

“But there’s the upmost respect, he’s a loved member of our family, of this football club. So, we’ll be there for him.

“For the next 120 minutes though, our players and coaches will be focused on the footy.”

2. STAR ‘SEPERATES’ CROWS IN ‘BRILLIANT’ RETURN

Welcome back, Mark Keane.

The Irish defender was Adelaide’s highest-rated player in his first senior game of 2026 after leg fracture over the pre-season delayed his start to the campaign.

Keane posted 22 disposals and game highs in marks (10) and intercepts (10) to go with five tackles in a reminder of why he was such a valuable asset last year when he made the All-Australian squad.

Adelaide is now getting closer to full strength, with Izak Rankine and Taylor Walker also returning to power up Matthew Nicks’ in-form side.

Crows great Mark Ricciutio said Keane was “brilliant” in his return, while former Power coach suggested the intercepting defender takes Adelaide to another level.

“He separates them from being mid-tier to top tier, when he’s back in playing in the form he is,” Hinkley said.

It was all the more important for Adelaide with star defender Josh Worrell missing Saturday’s game through injury, as Keane slotted into the back six seamlessly.

And while Wayne Milera heaped praise on Keane, he also made sure to mention how well Adelaide’s defensive unit has operated without him.

“We saw today his ability to shut his opponent down and intercept mark,” Milera said post-match.

“James Borlase and Nick Murray, they sometimes get stuck in the SANFL, but their ability to come in and play their role is outstanding.”

1. ‘TIDY THAT UP’: CALLS FOR TWEAK TO RULE CHANGE

There’s been calls to tweak the last touch out of bounds rule at season’s end as a moment just before half-time caused frustration in the commentary box. 

It was unclear who the ball deflected off over boundary line in a contest on the wing between Kade Chandler and Luke Nankervis.

The umpires went to the AFL Review Centre (ARC) and was deemed to come off Nankervis and thus gave Melbourne a free kick.

However, former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinley took issue with the hold up, declaring: “These are the ones they should never look at.”

Crows legend Mark Ricciutio also wasn’t a fan, saying: “Tidy that up at the end of the year.

Hinkley argued the ‘lasso rule’ should only be applied when it’s clear who a “proper disposal” came off.

“Honestly, we don’t need to go on too much. But that’s just not what the rule should be,” he said.

“The rule should be (for a) clear handball or kick, a proper disposal.

“I hope Champion Data count it as a kick.”

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