Captain Kate Hore has booted three goals as Melbourne overcame a 13-point half-time deficit to notch an 11-point win over Adelaide in their AFLW semi-final.
Coach Mick Stinear was in tears after the full-time siren sounded on the Demons' 9.6 (60) to 7.7 (49) victory at Ikon Park on Saturday, which launched them into the preliminary final to face undefeated North Melbourne.
Hore also had 26 disposals, while fellow midfielder Shelley Heath (24 touches, six clearances) and speedy winger Elizabeth McNamara (25 disposals) were also prominent.
Defender Tahlia Gillard produced two epic goal-saving chasedown tackles in the second half - denying Niamh Kelly late in the third, then Chelsea Randall's three-bounce surge in the dying seconds.
"I can't believe it," Hore said.
"They're a tough outfit - we've played against them for so many years and had so many great battles.
"Unreal to get the job done and (be) through to a prelim."
Ebony Marinoff (27 touches, one goal) and Niamh Kelly (23, one) were prolific for the Crows, who couldn't cope with Melbourne's relentless second-half pressure.
The Dees burst out of the blocks with the opening two goals inside the first four minutes, their outside run causing issues for Adelaide.
The Crows stemmed some of the bleeding and registered their first major in the 15th minute through Caitlin Gould, but Melbourne still had the momentum - and a 12-point lead - when Maggie Mahoney snapped truly on the quarter-time siren.
Adelaide seized control - and the lead - with a 5.2 to 1.1 second term, capped by Danielle Ponter's strong mark and goal right on the half-time horn.
The Demons threw Tayla Harris into ruck to start the third, which gave them renewed energy.
Blaithin Macklin's first goal of the season was followed by a brilliant boundary-side dribbler from Hore, which put Melbourne back in front.
The scores were level at three-quarter-time before Hore gave the Dees the lead for good with her third.
Gould dropped a chest mark 25m out, epitomising a quarter of wasted opportunities for the Crows, who had 13-4 inside-50s for the term but were outscored 3.3 to 1.2.
The defeat ended Adelaide's run of five successive preliminary final appearances, as well as Matthew Clarke's tenure as Adelaide coach with a 65-27 record.
