Round Five v Sydney, SCG
Adelaide regained its confidence in Sydney with a remarkable 10-point upset win over the Swans.
Missing a plethora of stars, including Rory Sloane and Eddie Betts, skipper Taylor Walker (four goals) was the catalyst for Adelaide’s success and Rory Atkins (24 disposals and three goals) provided
Both sides were inaccurate, but it was the Crows who made its opportunities count in the end, kicking 8.4 (52) to 7.12 (54) in the final three quarters after taking a 12-point lead into the second term.
There was competitive footy across the board for the visitors, from Rory Laird (30 disposals) to Paul Seedsman (26), Tom Lynch (25) and Tom Doedee (25).
Josh Jenkins (three goals) gave Sydney’s
Wasted chances by the Swans allowed Adelaide to breathe a late sigh of relief, Walker the hero after taking a mark deep in
SYDNEY 3.3 6.6 8.9 10.15 (75)
ADELAIDE 4.9 8.10 9.12 12.13 (85)
GOALS: Walker 4, Atkins 3, Jenkins 3, Seedsman, Gallucci
BEST
NEXT: Season Review: Paul Seedsman
Round Six v Gold Coast, Adelaide Oval
Adelaide made light work of Gold Coast in the first of four consecutive games at Adelaide Oval for the Club, finishing 48-point winners.
A six-goals-to-one second term had the Crows in cruise control and the Suns rarely had a sniff of the lead after Adelaide kicked the first 22 points of the game.
Matt Crouch (30 disposals) was back in the side after missing three games due to injury and the midfielder had 14 disposals in the first quarter alone.
The goals were flowing with Tom Lynch (three goals) and Richard Douglas (three) leading the charge.
Taylor Walker had two majors despite exiting the game in the second quarter.
Wayne Milera produced a breakout game across half-back with a career-high 33 disposals at 84.8
ADELAIDE 4.4 10.7 13.9 16.14 (110)
GOLD COAST 2.1 3.4 7.6 9.8 (62)
GOALS: Douglas 3, Lynch 3, Walker 2, Gallucci 2, Knight 2, Seedsman, Ellis-Yolmen, Crouch, McGovern
BEST
READ: Season Review: Taylor Walker
Round Seven v Carlton, Adelaide Oval
Carlton was condemned to
The Blues kicked the first goal of the game for a short-lived lead, as the next six goals went Adelaide’s way during an emphatic opening term.
Hugh Greenwood’s goal three minutes into the second quarter made it a 37-point lead before the tables turned and Carlton closed the margin to 16 points, giving Adelaide a slight scare.
Goals from Mitch McGovern (five) and Josh Jenkins (three) came at crucial moments, while Eddie Betts’ goal 30 seconds into the third gave the Crows’ a four-goal lead.
Bryce Gibbs (21 disposals and one goal) was composed against his former club, and Matt Crouch (32), Rory Laird (32) and Richard Douglas (28) were also influential.
ADELAIDE 7.2 9.3 15.8 19.11 (125)
CARLTON 2.1 6.4 7.8 10.10 (70)
GOALS: McGovern 5, Jenkins 3, Douglas 2, Lynch 2, Betts 2, Greenwood 2, Laird, Gibbs, Mackay
BEST
READ: Season Review: Bryce Gibbs
Round Eight v Port Adelaide, Adelaide Oval
A last-gasp goal to Port Adelaide’s Steven Motlop broke Adelaide hearts with 21 seconds on the clock in a thrilling Showdown 44.
Adelaide controlled the opening quarter-and-a-half with seven of the first nine goals but a period of dominance saw Port Adelaide kick six unanswered goals in 15 minutes heading into the fourth quarter.
Down by 17 points late in the fourth, the Crows launched a sizzling comeback and looked to have stolen the premiership points after Mitch McGovern
It was not meant to be.
Eddie Betts (16 disposals and three goals) was at his best and Cam Ellis-
Rory Atkins (29 disposals), Matt Crouch (27) and Rory Laird (27) had most of the ball for Adelaide, while Hugh Greenwood collected a game-high 12 tackles.
PORT ADELAIDE 1.3 4.6 11.11 14.11 (95)
ADELAIDE 4.2 8.3 10.5 14.6 (90)
GOALS: Betts 3, Ellis-
BEST
