Round One v Essendon, Etihad Stadium

A fourth quarter surge by Essendon stunned Adelaide in the Club’s 2018 season opener.

The Bombers were too strong as they turned a 20-point deficit into a two-goal win at Etihad Stadium.

Both sides combined for nine goals in the first half before Adelaide claimed control with seven majors in the third term.

The explosive quarter had the Crows up by a game-high 20 points before Essendon bounced back and kicked six of the last seven goals.

Matt Crouch (41 disposals), Rory Laird (40) and new recruit Bryce Gibbs (35 and two goals) all started with a bang, Gibbs seamlessly slotting into the midfield.

Josh Jenkins (two goals) was the main target up forward in the absence of Taylor Walker and Tom Lynch.

In their AFL debuts, Darcy Fogarty (two goals) Lachlan Murphy (one) hit the scoreboard, and defender Tom Doedee (21 disposals, seven marks) looked right at home at senior level.

ESSENDON          4.2          5.8          8.10        14.15 (99)
ADELAIDE            3.5          4.9          11.12     12.15 (87)

GOALS: Jenkins 2, Gibbs 2, Fogarty 2, Hampton, McGovern, Murphy, Douglas, Greenwood, Ellis-Yolmen
BEST: Laird, Gibbs, Crouch, Sloane, Doedee, Seedsman

NEXT: Season review: Hugh Greenwood

Round Two v Richmond, Adelaide Oval


Lachlan Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Darcy Fogarty and Tom Doedee showered in Gatorade

An undermanned Adelaide side gained some Grand Final revenge in a gutsy win over the 2017 premiers in front of Adelaide Oval’s 49,743 strong Thursday night crowd.

Taylor Walker (four goals) and Josh Jenkins (five) made up for their quiet performances in the Grand Final in the fast-paced shootout.

The Crows had an answer for every challenge Richmond threw their way, building a two-point lead at quarter time into 22 points at three quarter time.

Adelaide led the inside 50 count and lifted the tempo at every contest, winning contested possessions by 48.

The Crows’ leaders stepped up when Richmond closed the gap late in the game as fourth quarter goals to Walker (two), Jenkins and Rory Sloane secured the confident win.

Challenged by a hamstring injury to Matt Crouch in the second quarter and a concussion to David Mackay in the third, Adelaide’s depth was put to the test.

Led by Rory Laird (42 disposals), a dozen players had 20+ disposals including Jake Kelly (28), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (28) and Paul Seedsman (28).

ADELAIDE          4.4          11.4        14.7        18.10 (118)
RICHMOND       
4.2          9.4          10.9        12.10 (82)

GOALS: Jenkins 5, Walker 4, Sloane 2, Murphy 2, Fogarty 2, Gibbs, Ellis-Yolmen, Greenwood
BEST:
Laird, Jenkins, Gibbs, Sloane, Jacobs, Hartigan, Ellis-Yolmen

NEXT: Season review: Riley Knight

Round Three v St Kilda, Etihad Stadium


Eddie Betts congratulates Josh Jenkins after one of his three goals

For the opening two and a half quarters, St Kilda could not be faulted for their endeavor against Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.

But the Crows blew them away in a six-goals-to-one third term, turning the tables in the clinches, using the ball more cleanly and getting it to their tall forwards.

Eddie Betts finally hit the scoreboard after a barren opening fortnight to the season and finished with three goals for the night.

With Walker (three goals), Mitch McGovern (two) and Josh Jenkins also hitting the scoreboard, it ended up a pleasing enough night for the Crows.

Adelaide once again received excellent service from midfielder Bryce Gibbs, who finished with 26 possessions and eight clearances.

Rory Laird (32) and Paul Seedsman (26) also provided plenty of drive off half-back, while Sam Jacobs eventually got right on top in the ruck.

ST KILDA              2.6          3.9          4.12        7.13 (55)
ADELAIDE           
3.2          5.7          11.10     15.14 (104)

GOALS: Betts 3, Walker 3, Seedsman 2, McGovern 2, Atkins 2, Douglas, Jenkins, Gibbs
BEST:
Gibbs, Laird, Jacobs, Seedsman, Douglas, Betts

NEXT: Season review: Josh Jenkins

Round Four v Collingwood, Adelaide Oval


Darcy Fogarty clashes with Collingwood's Adam Treloar

Collingwood claimed its first win over Adelaide since 2013 with a clinical performance in the wet in Adelaide.

The Magpies entered the clash winless from five attempts at Adelaide Oval but they played the ground like it was home soil.

Risky football by Adelaide failed to pay off and turnovers proved costly in high-pressure situations. Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane were kept quiet by their opponents.

Rory Laird (37 disposals) attempted to steady the ship across half-back and Paul Seedsman (29 and one goal) impressed against his former side.

Brodie Grundy dominated the ruck against Sam Jacobs and Adelaide was outmuscled at the stoppages.

The Crows conjured up momentum late in the third term with a run of four straight goals to bring the margin down to 30 points, before Collingwood kicked four in response to seal the win.

ADELAIDE            1.1         3.2          6.3          9.4 (58)
COLLINGWOOD   
5.2         8.5          11.9        16.10 (106)

GOALS: McGovern 2, Walker 2, Gibbs 2, Ellis-Yolmen, Atkins, Seedsman
BEST:
Laird, Seedsman, Gibbs, Atkins, Greenwood

NEXT: Season review: Matt Crouch