It started with a racial abuse controversy that overshadowed a best-on-ground performance by arguably the game’s greatest ever indigenous player, and ended with an Aboriginal player sealing one of the most stunning comebacks in memory.

But by the end of the weekend, this year’s indigenous round of the AFL seemed destined to be remembered for all the right reasons.

Sydney’s Adam Goodes took Collingwood apart on Friday night – but his key role in the victory was marred after a 13-year-old Magpies supporter called him an “ape” late in the game.

The girl – surprisingly identified by a range of media outlets – was escorted from the ground. Later, she apologized to Goodes whose eloquent press conference on Saturday managed to simultaneously identify why the words were so hurtful, and offer an olive branch to the young girl, who he wanted to be treated with care and support.

Yesterday, North Melbourne and the Crows were both in shock after Adelaide pulled off a miraculous one-point AFL win, coming from five goals down towards the end of the last quarter.

For North it was their fourth defeat by less than a goal in 2013 as their win-loss record slumped to 3-6 and their finals hopes began to evaporate.

Adelaide (5-4), wearing the colours of the Aboriginal flag, jumped two spots to seventh on the ladder.

North led at every change and a goal to Daniel Wells at the 10-minute mark of the final term gave the home side a 30-point advantage.

However the Crows, inspired by 20-year-old Sam Kerridge’s six-goal haul including three in the final term, were never out of it.

Adelaide won 18.17 (125) to 19.10 (124) before a stunned crowd of 23,033 at Etihad Stadium as the Crows hit the front for the first time with 16 seconds remaining.

Petrenko (two goals) was the hero as he ran onto a loose ball booted downfield by Kerridge and volleyed it through for the winning goal.

Patrick Dangerfield and Richard Douglas also played starring roles for the Crows.

Coach Brenton Sanderson said it was a massive victory for the Crows in a vital game between two clubs battling to stay in touch with the top eight.

“It was critical that we got the win today,” Sanderson said.

“It’s still a bit of a blur to me.

“The message with six minutes to go was play on at all costs, handball, get the ball surging forward.

“Sometimes the footy gods are smiling on you which was really nice.

“I haven’t probably settled down from the game yet.

“I’m still in a bit of a shock that we won that one.”

Sanderson said there was confusion on the field due to a scoreboard malfunction as the Crows tackled the unlikely task of booting three goals in the final four minutes.

“And then of course the scoreboard was wrong in the stadium so what the players could see was they were two goals down, not one goal down. I’m not sure how that happens,” he said.

“A lot of our players didn’t know when Petrenko kicked that goal that we were in front. They thought we were still one goal down.

“In the coaches’ box we knew.”

Lindsay Thomas kicked five goals for the Kangaroos.

Jack Ziebell also played well but could face scrutiny from the match review panel for a late bump on Jarryd Lyons in the second quarter.

The Crows have a home game against Fremantle next Saturday while North host St Kilda at Etihad Stadium the following day.

North coach Brad Scott was also left shaking his head at the last-quarter madness.

“If you weren’t there watching it first-hand, it’s unbelievable,” Scott said.

“It’s the ability to lose the unloseable. It was just absolutely diabolical.”

Round Nine snapshot

THEY SAID IT: “She’s 13 years old, still so innocent, I don’t put any blame on her. Unfortunately it’s what she hears and the environment that she’s grown up in that has made her think that it’s okay to call people names.” Sydney superstar Adam Goodes on copping a racist slur from a young Collingwood fan late in Friday night’s best afield performance.

STATS THAT MATTER: North Melbourne have had losses by four points, three points, two points and – on Sunday against Adelaide – one point this season.

MAN OF THE ROUND: Goodes was unstoppable with three goals and 30 disposals in the Swans’ big win over Collingwood, while Essendon captain Jobe Watson and Gold Coast counterpart Gary Ablett deserve mentions for superb three-goal, high-possession performances.

KEY MOMENT: Jared Petrenko soccered truly with 16 seconds left to put Adelaide in front for the first time in Sunday’s stunning comeback win over the Kangaroos.

TALKING POINT: Gold Coast chairman John Witheriff drew widespread ridicule when he predicted in the pre-season the Suns would win an AFL flag in three years. That still looks a long shot, but Sunday’s highly-competitive effort against premiership favourites Hawthorn suggest they’re rising quicker than most expected.

TRIBUNAL WATCH: North Melbourne’s Jack Ziebell could be in trouble for a high bump on Adelaide’s Jarryd Lyons. Brisbane’s Jonathan Brown faces scrutiny for an arm to the chin of Carlton’s Michael Jamison, as does Collingwood’s Darren Jolly for making high contact to Sydney’s Ben McGlynn. Hawthorn defender Josh Gibson might also draw attention for a glancing blow to the head of Gold Coast’s Tom Lynch.

KEY INJURIES: Jared Brennan (GC, knee), Michael Hurley (Ess, ankle), Brandon Ellis (Rich, hamstring), Matthew Leuenberger (Bris, finger), Sam Reid (Syd, quad), Jordan Russell (Coll, ankle), Lenny Hayes (Saints, calf).

UNDER PRESSURE: North Melbourne’s season is on the brink of being destroyed by narrow losses and they must get the points against St Kilda next round. The pressure is permanently on Melbourne coach Mark Neeld, but Sunday’s uncompetitive effort against Fremantle won’t help. Richmond and Collingwood also need to respond after deflating weekend defeats.

AAP