Defender Daniel Talia claimed another scalp against Richmond on Saturday night.
Despite being part of a backline under siege, Talia held Coleman Medallist Jack Riewoldt goalless for the first time this season. The in-form Crow kept Riewoldt, who has kicked 48 goals this year, to a solitary behind from 11 possessions. Talia also had 10 disposals, a game-high 13 one-percenters and four marks in another mature display.
Consistent Crows Sam Jacobs and Rory Sloane also battled hard. Jacobs won 46 hit-outs in his battle with former teammate Ivan Maric. Jacobs collected 14 touches, seven clearances, four inside 50ms and a goal assist and also laid five tackles to keep his name firmly in front of All-Australian selectors.
As always, Sloane worked tirelessly to try to drag his team over the line. The acting co-captain had a modest 19 disposals, but laid seven tackles and generated four rebound 50ms and a goal assist. He also kicked a crucial goal in the second half, which was later overturned on video review.
Forward Taylor Walker enjoyed a good contest with Richmond backman Alex Rance. Walker slotted 2.2 from 13 possessions and also took four marks. He generated four inside 50ms and assisted in a goal. Eddie Betts and James Podsiadly also kicked two goals apiece in cameo roles.
Patrick Dangerfield was Adelaide’s leading possession-getter with 24 possessions, seven clearances, seven tackles and five inside 50ms. Rising Star runner-up Brad Crouch gathered 22 possessions, a game-high nine clearances, seven tackles, three inside 50ms and one goal assist but the Crows midfield was beaten by Richmond’s onball brigade. Matthew Wright competed well, winning 20 possessions, five inside 50ms and laying three tackles.
The Tigers had four players with more possessions than Adelaide’s top disposal-winner and also used the ball more efficiently in the slippery conditions. Richmond had a disposal efficiency of 68 per cent compared to the home team’s 56 per cent.
The Crows won the contested possession count (174-160), but it was Richmond’s outside run and carry that did the damage. The Tigers had 183 uncontested possessions to Adelaide’s 122.
The 10-point loss to Richmond was the fifth game this season the Crows have lost by two goals or less. It was the Tigers’ seventh straight win. A crowd of 50,459 turned out to watch the match, eclipsing the previous best home-and-away attendance for a Crows v Tigers game of 45,109 at Football Park back in Round 16, 1993.
Match statistics
Disposals
Adelaide – 302
Richmond – 366
Kicks
Adelaide – 200
Richmond – 226
Handballs
Adelaide – 102
Richmond – 140
Free Kicks
Adelaide – 28
Richmond – 17
Clearances
Adelaide – 49
Richmond – 43
Inside 50ms
Adelaide – 51
Richmond – 62
Contested Possessions
Adelaide – 174
Richmond – 160
Tackles
Adelaide – 82
Richmond – 84
Hit-outs
Adelaide – 53
Richmond – 34
