The Western Bulldogs' 2026 AFL campaign is at an end after going down to the Adelaide Crows by 22 points in an Elimination Final.

After going in at three-quarter time 19 points down the Dogs surged early in the last and briefly took the lead after two goals from Will Lewis and a spectacular effort by Ed Richards.

But the Crows booted five of the last six goals of the game to storm home, to the delight of the majority at Adelaide Oval, leaving the Dogs to rue their missed chances in a 14.6 (90) to 9.14 (68) defeat.

Richards was again among the Dogs' best with 27 disposals and two goals, with skipper Marcus Bontempelli also prominent with 27 touches.

00:55

AFL EF | Richards rises to the moment with massive goal to rock contest

Ed Richards surges forward with pace and nails a stunning running goal to draw the Bulldogs level in a pulsating final term

Despite the Dogs winning centre clearances 17-7 and inside-50s 61-49, the Crows made the most of their opportunities close to goal.

The Dogs were forced into a very late change when defender Michael Sellwood was concussed in the warm-up and replaced by Lachie McNeil.

Luke Beveridge's side was forced to shuffle the defensive deckchairs, but it was Adelaide's backline that was under pressure early.

Despite nailing the opening goal inside two minutes courtesy of Fogarty, the Dogs' swift stoppage work and quick hands saw them win nine of the first 12 inside-50s.

The second term had plenty of momentum swings, with both sides enjoying positive stretches. Opposing livewires Josh Rachele and Arty Jones were responsible for two goals apiece as the same margin separated the sides at the half.

01:32

AFL EF | Signed with a kiss: Arty's cheeky salute to vocal crowd after cool finish

Arthur Jones cashes in on a free kick that frustrates the home fans, before blowing a kiss to celebrate

The Dogs were pressured into making a number of unforced errors by foot, and struggled to find a target when they went inside 50.

Just when the Crows looked like they would run away with it, the Dogs found their bark again early in the final term. With Buku Khamis thrown forward, back-to-back goals from Lewis and a superb long-range effort from Richards sent a collective shiver down the spine of the Crows faithful.

However, it was short lived as Adelaide halted the Dogs' momentum and kicked away to book a semi-final date with the two-time reigning premier Brisbane at the Gabba.

ADELAIDE       3.1     7.2     9.5    14.6 (90)
WESTERN BULLDOGS                1.7     5.8     5.10      9.14 (68)
 
GOALS
Adelaide: Rachele 3, Cook 2, Keays 2, Fogarty 2, Rankine 2, Ah Chee, Thilthorpe, Walker
Western Bulldogs: Jones 2, Lewis 2, Richards 2, Freijah, Naughton, Sanders

BEST
Adelaide: Worrell, Milera, Rankine, Rachele, Dawson, Fogarty, Cook
Western Bulldogs: Richards, Freijah, Bontempelli, Williams, Hynes  

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Adelaide: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Michael Sellwood (concussion) replaced in selected side by Lachie McNeil

Crowd: 51,370 at Adelaide Oval