ADELAIDE has cemented itself in sixth place on the AFL ladder with a convincing 74-point win over West Coast at AAMI Stadium.

The Crows led by just two points after an even first term, but outscored the Eagles 16 goals-to-five in the remaining three quarters to secure the 18.14 (122) to 7.6 (48) win.

Michael Doughty (37), Simon Goodwin (37), Bernie Vince (34), Tyson Edwards (33), Nathan van Berlo (31) and Andy Otten (30) all racked-up big possession numbers as the home side fell just six touches short of breaking the all-time disposals record.

Jason Porplyzia led the goalkicking with a career-best six ahead of Trent Hentschel, Scott Thompson, Chris Knights, Ivan Maric and Richard Douglas, who each finished with two.

But Robert Shirley had a 150th game to forget after injuring his hamstring in the first half.

Tim Houlihan (24 possessions), Adam Selwood (29) and Brad Ebert (24) all battled hard for the Eagles and Mark LeCras and Josh Kennedy each got two goals.

The Crows had 40 more disposals and double West Coast’s inside50ms in the opening term, but struggled to find a direct avenue to goal.

The Eagles stifled Adelaide’s run with numbers behind the ball and mustered their own scoring opportunities against the breeze to have the home crowd feeling uneasy at quarter time.

Porplyzia gave his side the perfect start with another on-target set shot but  Kennedy, who had six possessions for the term, responded with a strong mark and goal at the other end.

The quarter turned into tactical arm wrestle with neither side troubling the scoreboard for 15 minutes.

West Coast’s defensive tactics continued to frustrate the Crows, but some undisciplined acts brought its good work undone.

A free kick and lucky bounce to Kurt Tippett set up a goal to Scott Thompson, but again the Eagles were able to respond.

Impressive first-year Tom Swift got on the end of some more good work from Kennedy and cut the deficit to two points at quarter time with a long bomb from outside 50m.

Adelaide, unable to weave its way through the maze of West Coast defenders, proved there’s still some merit in kicking long to the goal square.

Goodwin (15 second quarter possessions) kick-started the home side with some penetrating run from half-back and helped set-up quick goals to Porplyzia, Douglas and the high-flying Maric.

Hentschel out-bodied and out-smarted Beau Wilkes with two goals from two marks inside50m as the Crows backed themselves one-out against their Eagles’ opponents.

The margin got out to 29 points before West Coast mounted a mini-revival.

LeCras, who spent some time in the midfield, scored a goal against the flow and a clever shark and snap from Quinten Lynch in the ruck contest reduced the lead to 17 points.

But the Crows continued to attack through sheer weight of numbers.

Doughty and Vince found plenty of the ball, as Adelaide racked-up 269 first-half possessions.

Late goals to Douglas and Tippett extended the lead back to 30 points at the main break.

West Coast managed to hold-off the Adelaide onslaught for the opening seven minutes of the third quarter before the floodgates well and truly opened.

Knights kicked the first goal of the term after finding some space 20m out from goal.

Douglas, Porplyzia and Thompson all added to their goal tallies as the Crows piled on four unanswered goals to lead by 54 points.

A late goal to Andrew Embley cut the margin to 49 at the final change.

The last quarter belonged to Porplyzia.

The crafty small forward kicked three goals to take his tally to six and give the Crows a handy percentage boost heading into the final round.

Adelaide now prepares to take on Carlton at Docklands next Saturday in a game that could determine where the club plays in the first week of finals.

West Coast will round out its 2009 campaign against Richmond at Subiaco on Friday night.

Adelaide 2.4 8.8 12.12 18.14 (122)
West Coast 2.2 4.2 5.5 7.6 (48)

GOALS
Adelaide: Porplyzia 6, Hentschel, Maric, Thompson, Knights, Douglas 2, Tippett, Rutten
West Coast: LeCras, Kennedy 2, Swift, Lynch, Embley

BEST
Adelaide: Goodwin, Vince, Porplyzia, Thompson, Doughty, Edwards, Johncock, Douglas
West Coast: Houlihan, Swift, Ebert, A Selwood, Kennedy

INJURIES
Adelaide: Shirley (hamstring), Thompson (hip)
West Coast: Davis (concussion)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Stewart, Schmitt, Meredith
Official crowd: 39,640 at AAMI Stadium


The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs.

Vote for your best on ground now - Carlton Natural Blonde People’s Champion