While “inspirational” midfielder Rory Sloane was the constant, there were several desperate acts that helped drag Adelaide back into the contest in the final quarter against Fremantle on Saturday.
According to Sloane, defender Daniel Talia set in motion the wheels of Adelaide’s fight back.
Inexplicably, Talia wasn’t paid a mark or free-kick for holding his ground in a contest with Docker Chris Mayne.
“Talia running back with the flight and getting crunched … it wasn’t a mark and Matthew Pavlich ended up kicking the goal, but I think it probably sparked a few blokes who realised we needed a few more efforts like that,” Sloane said.
“Those sorts of efforts popped up in the last quarter and really sparked us.”
Next, it was Jared Petrenko’s turn. The Crows battering ram, who had made his presence felt by crashing through two packs earlier in the game, threw his arms out to smother a kick from Paul Duffield in the middle of Patersons Stadium and followed up, soccering the ball 50m closer to his team’s goal. The play eventually resulted in a third goal to match-winner Sloane.
“Pup’s smother on the wing was pretty special,” coach Brenton Sanderson said after the game.
In-form forward Matt Wright saved the best until last.
Click the play button above to relive Wrighty’s match-defining play in the last quarter.
With six minutes remaining and the Crows leading by three goals, Wright lunged at Fremantle speedster Stephen Hill, pinning his arms and forcing him to drop the ball. The Sherrin spilled to skipper Nathan van Berlo, who handballed back to Wright and the goalsneak set sail with a shot from 45m.
The ball sailed through for a goal, snuffing out any hope of a late Fremantle surge.
“Wrighty’s tackle and turnover that resulted in a goal … that just gets the group up,” Sanderson said.
“There were a few moments we’ll look back at and talk about during the week.”
If you are unable to view the video above click here to watch this and loads of other videos on the Club's official YouTube account
