Aidan Riley’s nine-month wait between AFL games paid off at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

Riley, who last played for Adelaide in the Qualifying Final last year, was recalled to the team to play Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium. The uncompromising ball winner avoided the green substitute vest, which he donned a few times last season (including in the finals loss to the Swans), and took his place in a revamped Crows forward line.

The aggressive 21-year-old kicked a goal and had a hand in two others, finishing the day with 14 possessions. But his biggest impact, chasing and applying pressure on the ball carrier, wasn’t measured in the traditional statistics. His highlights included a crunching tackle on Suns ruckman Tom Nicholls and a desperate smother when the game was in the balance in the third term.

“Sando (coach Brenton Sanderson) told me before the game that he just wanted me to put a lot of pressure on. That’s my role in the team and what I have to do to keep getting a game,” Reilly said after Adelaide’s 28-point win.

“I thought I did that okay today and got a little bit of the ball, which was nice. It’s a great feeling being back in the side. I had to wait a little while.

“I was just happy to play my role and to come away with the win is great. The Club definitely needed it and, hopefully, we can keep it rolling into next week.”

Riley’s recall came on the back of consistent form at SANFL club, Sturt.

“When I play in the SANFL, I just try to keep it really simple and clear,” he said.

“The coaches give me a couple of things to work on, that they want to see when I go back to Sturt. My main focus is to play to the team structure at Sturt but also do what the (Crows) coaches want to see from me.”

Riley was part of an even team performance by Adelaide on Saturday. Matthew Wright (three), Jason Porplyzia (two), Josh Jenkins (two) and Tom Lynch (two) all kicked multiple goals. Ruckman Sam Jacobs and midfielders Brad Crouch, Patrick Dangerfield and Richard Douglas found plenty of the ball and the defence combined to limit Gold Coast to 11 goals.

“Everyone contributed well. That’s what we need to do, get everyone playing their roles and we’ll get performances like that,” Riley said.