Brodie Smith made an impressive return to football in Adelaide’s SANFL match against Central Districts on Saturday afternoon, but he couldn’t celebrate with a win as the Crows went down by 16 points.

Playing as a spare across half-back for most of the game, Smith accumulated a team-high 25 disposals, eight marks and four inside 50s.

The first half was where the game was lost at Elizabeth Oval, with Adelaide leading the inside-50s 22-14 at halftime but unable to capitalise on their opportunities.

Scoring opened up in the second half to provide a more entertaining contest, but the Crows couldn’t reel in the Dogs lead, going down 6.3 (39) to 7.15 (55).

Myles Poholke was solid with 23 disposals, six clearances, seven marks and four inside 50s, while Paul Hunter's 16 disposals, 36 hit-outs and four marks was important.

Ben Jarman played one of his best games for the year with three goals from nine disposals and four marks, including a diving one going back with the flight in the third term.

State League coach Ryan O’Keefe said that the team strayed from the brand of footy that they hoped to play in the first half.

“Our ability to stick to our fundamentals and our style waived, and when we do that we’re good and when we creep away from that, it’s hard,” O’Keefe said.

“Our forward line lacked cohesion and we just could connect and we just lack that sync and synergy that a team that plays week in week out together has.

“When we did play our style we were good, we were able to control the game and win those quarters.”

O’Keefe said that Smith didn’t skip a beat in his return.

“I just said to Brodie, just go out and play mate, you never forget how to play footy,” O’Keefe said.

“And he came out and played, he started really well I thought, I think it’s good to just get the first game out of the way and he will get better from there.

“It was really pleasing for him to get back, and Otten as well. To get those guys in and through, it’s a real positive.”

No injuries were reported out of the match, but Sam Gibson was a late out with illness while Cam Ellis-Yolmen was out as the travelling emergency with the AFL team.

ADELAIDE           0.1         1.2         5.2         6.3         (39)
BULLDOGS         3.1         4.4         7.7         7.13       (55)

GOALS:
Adelaide: Jarman 3, Himmelberg 2, Rivers
Bulldogs: Butcher 3, McKenzie 3, Schiller

BEST: Hunter, Jarman, Smith, Himmelberg, Poholke, Davey