Adelaide has overcome its most inaccurate performance in almost 23 years but still managed to notch its fifth-straight win, handing North Melbourne a 33-point defeat at Adelaide Oval, 12.28 (100) to 10.7 (67).

The Crows’ return of 28 behinds ‘bettered’ its Round 20 score in 1993 of 13.27 (105) against Melbourne.

The loss was the Kangaroo’s fourth-straight to a top eight side this year, with the Western Bulldogs remaining the only top eight team they’ve beaten.

The Crows were their own worst enemy for the most part on Thursday night, with poor execution entering attack combining with inaccuracy in front of goal to keep the Kangaroos in the contest far longer than they should have been allowed.

But Daniel Talia was brilliant in defence, Jake Lever and Rory Laird rebounded well, while Matt Crouch and Rory Sloane were superb through the midfield.

Crows coach Don Pyke was impressed with his team’s effort to push through its ordinary goalkicking.

“We’ll address that during the week and try to improve in that area, but [I’m] pleased with the effort and workrate our guys showed to get over the line,” Pyke said.

“Our contested stuff was really strong.”

The Five: Round 14 v North Melbourne

North Melbourne was well served by Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell and Brad McKenzie.

Kangaroos coach Brad Scott criticised his side’s first quarter.

“We were really disappointed with the start, I thought we didn’t play the conditions well at all,’’ Scott said.

“The Crows lifted in the midfield [after half-time], I thought led by Rory Sloane and Scott Thompson. They really turned the contested ball numbers around which were in our favour pretty strongly at half-time.”

Scoring before a much-hyped storm (that never arrived) loomed crucial, and Adelaide had ample opportunity to heap on scoreboard pressure, but a tricky breeze and already damp conditions proved challenging.

The Crows could manage just three goals from their 11 opening-term scoring shots.

North Melbourne found the going easier at the scoreboard end early in the second quarter - with Sam Gibson and Ben Brown booting goals early in the term.

Mason Wood kicked another before Lindsay Thomas swooped on a terrible, deep defensive Crows’ turnover to tie the scores.

The Kangaroos dominated possession in the second quarter with 15 inside 50s to eight and, coupled with Adelaide’s continued struggles in attack, hit the lead late through veteran Brent Harvey.

Thomas ended Adelaide’s three-goal run that started the second half with an extraordinary show of skill - summing up his options before nailing a checkside from the tightest of angles.

As if he was to be outdone, Eddie Betts dribbled home a cheeky left foot shot from the boundary at the other end to again force a lead change.

With the match on the line in the final quarter Adelaide looked the side with greater run, as might have been expected given its week off compared to North Melbourne’s six-day break.

After Kangaroo Todd Goldstein missed a crucial snap from close range, the Crows sealed the deal with majors to Atkins, Richard Douglas and then Matt Crouch.

 

MEDICAL ROOM
Adelaide: The Club’s stunning run with injury continued on Thursday night and with nobody expected back next week, the Crows could face Melbourne unchanged.

North Melbourne: Farren Ray was forced off with concussion in the first term after being hit in the face with the football. Given the Kangaroos have a bye next week, he’d surely be fit to take on West Coast in Round 16.

NEXT UP
The Crows will take on Melbourne at the MCG next Sunday in a very winnable encounter that could help the club up into the top four depending on round 14 results. The Kangaroos will enjoy a much-needed bye.

ADELAIDE                       3.8    4.13   8.18  12.28 (100)
NORTH MELBOURNE    1.2    6.5     9.6    10.7 (67)

GOALS
Adelaide: Betts 2, Walker 2, M.Crouch 2, Douglas 2, Lynch, McGovern, Jenkins, Atkins
North Melbourne: Thomas 3, Brown 2, Wood, Harvey, Ziebell, Gibson, Petrie

BEST
Adelaide: M Crouch, Sloane, Laird, Atkins, Talia, Lever, Lynch
North Melbourne: Cunnington, Ziebell, Brown, Thomas

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
North Melbourne: Ray (concussion)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Stevic, Hocking, Kamolins, Meredith

Crowd: 37,890