The Adelaide Crows endured a pre-match hotel evacuation hours before losing 112-88 to Fremantle in a classic encounter.
A fire alarm at the Crows hotel forced the players to spill out onto the street just hours before they took to the field at the Optus Stadium.
Watch footage of the Adelaide Crows’ hotel evacuation via the video player below
According to the Herald Sun, the Adelaide stars were stood out the front of the hotel for between 10 and 15 minutes while the emergency was dealt with.
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Eventually they were allowed back inside to continue their preparations for the hugely important clash against the Dockers.
And it turned out to be one of the games of the season as both teams brought their best level to the Friday night action.
The Dockers knew a win or draw would hand them the minor premiership, while Adelaide required a victory to move them into the top four.
And it was the Crows who started the stronger of the two sides, scoring the first 13 points to boost their hopes of condemning Fremantle to a first home defeat of the season.
But Jye Amiss inspired the hosts back into the contest, scoring three consecutive goals in less than five minutes to give them a 34-21 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Adelaide reduced the deficit to just five points at halftime, and stayed in the game going into the final quarter thanks to two Josh Rachele goals.
The Crows trailed by seven heading into the final 20 minutes, and levelled the game up at 76-76 three minutes later.
But Fremantle showed in the final stages why they now boast a 19-3 record this season as they racked up 22 unanswered points to seal the victory and the minor premiership.
It is the second time in the Dockers’ history that they have claimed the title — the first coming in 2015.
The Crows remain fifth on the ladder, missing the chance to leapfrog the Hawks and Lions.
Originally published as AFL classic between Fremantle and Adelaide after bizarre hotel chaos forces evacuation