ADELAIDE won its first match of the season but not before a major scare against unfancied Richmond at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.

The Tigers led at half time and fought doggedly before fading to a 50-point defeat, 15.14 (104) to 7.12 (54).

The scoreline flattered the Crows, who made fewer mistakes in a poor quality match and piled on eight unanswered goals as the Tigers wilted in the final 20 minutes.

Scores were level when Tiger forward Jack Riewoldt bagged his second goal in the opening minutes of the final term, but consecutive majors to Michael Doughty, Graham Johncock and Richard Douglas were enough to break the visitors’ spirit.

Adelaide’s breakthrough win was soured by a serious arm injury to the in-form Johncock.

Douglas’ night also ended prematurely when he was cleaned up by Richmond midfielder Dean Polo in an off-the-ball incident.

After six defeats to start the season, a seventh against Richmond would have represented rock bottom for Neil Craig's side.

Kurt Tippett (four), Jason Porplyzia (three) and Andrew McLeod and Douglas (two) all booted multiple goals for the home side, while Riewoldt (two) and Robin Nahas (two) combined to kick half of Richmond’s score.

Johncock (21 possessions), Simon Goodwin (30 possessions), McLeod (19 possessions and seven inside 50s) and ruckman Ivan Maric (37 hit-outs) were all instrumental in the win and Shane Edwards (23 disposals and six clearances), Trent Cotchin (18 disposals) and Nahas battled hard for the Tigers.

The Crows should have iced the game in the third quarter, but failed to capitalise on their dominance.

The home side had 12 inside 50s to Richmond’s seven in the third term but managed a return of just 2.6.

The Tigers were also wasteful in perfect conditions, spraying five behinds at the other end of the ground.

Adelaide          3.0      5.3    7.9   15.14    (104)
Richmond        3.3       6.5    6.10   7.12    (54)
 
GOALS
Adelaide: Tippett 4, Porplyzia 3, McLeod 2, Douglas 2, Doughty, Johncock, Thompson, Petrenko
Richmond: Nahas 2, Riewoldt 2, White, Edwards, Tuck
 
BEST
Adelaide: McLeod, Maric, Johncock, Van Berlo, Tippett
Richmond: Edwards, Moore, Tuck, Cotchin, Deledio, Nahas
 
INJURIES
Adelaide: Douglas (ribs), Johncock (arm)
Richmond: Farmer replaced in selected side by McGuane
 
Reports: Nil
 
Umpires: Dean Margetts, Heath Ryan, Michael Avon
 
Official crowd: 31,196 at  AAMI Stadium

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.