After conceding seven unanswered goals in the third term - and trailing by 13 points at the final change - the Magpies overhauled their opponents to post a 12.10 (82) to 11.14 (80) triumph at the MCG.
But it took some desperate efforts in the contest and the collective clearance of a loose ball in defence in the dying seconds, repelling the Crows' final forward thrust, to seal the result in front of 65,930 fans.
The win lifted Collingwood (12-2) back on top of the ladder at the conclusion of the mid-season bye rounds and left Adelaide (7-7) clinging to eighth spot.
It was the 11th time in less than two seasons under Craig McRae that the Magpies have come from behind at three-quarter time to win.
"You've head it all before, I suppose. We just want to win," McRae said.
"There's a number of players that just don't want to give up (and) we just went back to basics really.
"In the last quarter we went back to being the team we want to be ... let's get this thing going our way and see what comes of it."
Collingwood had surged 34 points clear during the second term as Josh and Nick Daicos ran riot, punishing Adelaide's wayward kicking at goal.
But they coughed up the next eight goals as Taylor Walker, who kicked three of them, helped fire the Crows in front in a stunning third-quarter blitz.
Mason Cox sparked the Pies with two final-quarter goals and was involved in a heated scuffle with Josh Worrell as John Noble, Will Hoskin-Elliott and a host of Magpies delivered in big moments to see their side over the line.
"I'm looking forward to watching the last quarter again and all those little efforts," McRae said.
"The will to compete and scrap and fight - all the things we want to see in us - I'm looking forward to watching them because there were many."
Nick Daicos (37 disposals, nine clearances, one goal), Josh Daicos (33, six, one) and Tom Mitchell (28, three, one) were influential for the Magpies as Cox and Jamie Elliott kicked two goals each.
Jeremy Howe was his usual reliable self in defence on return from three months out with a broken arm.
Veteran forward Walker finished with five goals for Adelaide, all in the second half, while Crows skipper Jordan Dawson (35 disposals, five clearances) and Ben Keays (28, 10) tried desperately to will their side home.
The manner of defeat opened old wounds for Adelaide, who threw away a 16-point lead at the final change in a one-point loss to the same opponents in round seven.
They also lost to the Magpies in a five-point thriller late last season.
"We showed some grit when we got challenged and were behind," Crows coach Matthew Nicks said.
"When we play aggressive footy, we are a really good side to watch, and we put maybe two-and-a-half or three quarters of that out there today.
"But to our opposition's credit, they are where they are for a reason and you've got to put four quarters out.
"It's a hard one. We are hurting at the moment and it's the most we've been feeling the pain after a loss."
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