LIVE: Dons hold on, Giants host Pies

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COLLINGWOOD'S quest to keep its finals hopes alive have got off to a shaky start, trailing the GWS Giants by three points at quarter time.

The inexperienced Magpies must win if they want to see any September action, however the Giants are not making it an easy task.

Ball magnets Toby Greene and Dane Swan have begun solidly, accumulating 13 and 11 disposals respectively in the first term.

Earlier, Essendon moved one step closer to securing a finals berth, holding off a brave Gold Coast unit to win by 19 points at Etihad Stadium.

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Some of Essendon's more experienced players, such as Brendon Goddard and David Zaharakis, stood up in the fourth term to help secure the three-goal victory.

Goddard booted three goals from 28 disposals, while Tom Lynch finished with four goals.

In Hobart, North Melbourne secured a home elimination final, holding off Adelaide to record a seven-point win.

Jack Ziebell was the hero for North Melbourne, finishing with 4.5 from 24 disposals and eight marks, while Richard Douglas led the way for Adelaide with 27 touches.

Later, Hawthorn takes on Geelong at the MCG in a top-four blockbuster, while West Coast hosts Melbourne at Patersons Stadium.

CROWS, ROOS LOVE TO BE UNDERDOGS

TODAY'S GAMES (all times Eastern)

1.45pm — North Melbourne 14.17 (101) def Adelaide 13.16 (94) at Blundstone Arena

2.10pm — Essendon 16.12 (108) def Gold Coast 13.11 (89) at Etihad Stadium

4.40pm — GWS v Collingwood, Spotless Stadium

7.40pm — West Coast v Melbourne, Patersons Stadium

7.40pm — Hawthorn v Geelong, MCG

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Roos put Crows on finals life support

Jack Ziebell celebrates one of his four goals. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Colleen Petch / News Corp Australia

THERE was no Brent Harvey but Jack Ziebell has willed North Melbourne to a heart-stopping seven-point win against Adelaide.

Ziebell kicked 4.5 including two big last-quarter goals in Hobart.

The Crows were coming hard to the final minute in a game of big momentum shifts.

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The win ensures the Kangaroos at least host an elimination final.

Adelaide has no such joy, loosening a grip on eighth place with just one match remaining in the season. The Crows host St Kilda in the final round but even a big win might not be enough to make the finals if other results don't go their way.

Jack Ziebell takes a strong pack mark. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia

For much of the game, neither side appeared able to rid themselves of goalkicking woes to seize control.

The contest came alive in a hectic third term, with four lead changes as both sides committed to attacking football.

But North seized the moment with five last-term goals to come from behind to win.

Lindsay Thomas tangles with Matthew Jaensch. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia

North Melbourne were cheered on by the lion's share of the 10,702 crowd at Blundstone Arena and keenly watched by a group of other clubs looking to steal Adelaide's spot in the eight.

Despite the gravity of the occasion to their finals hopes, the Crows started sluggishly.

The Kangaroos brought greater desire and quickly had an advantage on the scoreboard.

With Michael Firrito marshalling well on half-back and Ziebell contesting strongly, the Kangaroos deserved greater than their two-goal quarter-time lead.

Patrick Dangerfield marks strongly against Andrew Swallow. Source: Getty Images

Patrick Dangerfield willed the Crows forward and eventually his teammates replicated his desire.

Brad Crouch and Richard Douglas stepped up for Adelaide, with Jarryd Lyons kicking two for the term to give the Crows the narrowest of halftime margins.

Goals by Eddie Betts and Matthew Wright pushed the Crows on, who led by 13 points.

Nathan Grima wasn't happy with this umpiring decision. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia

But the Kangaroos found inspiration in an unlikely source — Kayne Turner, the league's youngest player.

Turner, a Year 12 student at Maribyrnong College, ended half an hour without a Kangaroos goal for his second of the day.

With the match in the balance, Ziebell and Bastinac's forward-line presence built the Kangaroos a 16-point lead.

Kayne Turner crunches Rory Laird in a big tackle with 2min left in the game. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia

Rory Laird is helped off the field. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia

A huge tackle by Turner knocked out Adelaide's Rory Laird, providing a long pause to an otherwise frantic finish as Taylor Walker's 55m bomb gave the Crows a chance.

Adelaide said after the game Laird had concussion.

But James Podisadly faltered twice; giving away a free kick after taking a mark within scoring distance then hitting the post from close range as Adelaide's comeback was denied.

Graphic by Champion Data. Source: Supplied

Graphic by Champion Data. Source: Supplied

Suspended Kangaroo Brent Harvey watches from the sidelines. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia

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