Adelaide has held on to defeat a valiant South Adelaide outfit by 11-points at Flinders University Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Back six stand up

Adelaide’s back six were instrumental to helping the Crows hold onto their lead, under siege for large parts of the game.

As a collective, Adelaide’s defenders were able to limit the Panthers scoring impact, keeping them to 16 scoring shots despite them having 49 inside 50’s. 

“South Adelaide were able to get through us quite easily at times but I thought our defenders held up really well and if it wasn’t for them on a number of occasions we probably could have got hurt a little bit more,” stand-in SANFL head coach Marco Bello said

“Worrell, Patty Parnell, Will Hamill, Nick Murray just competed really strongly one v one and when they had too were able to come off their opponent to influence the contest.”

Wayne’s World 

Wayne Milera was one of the Crows best with his experience and class showing, able to make the right decisions under pressure to help Adelaide rebound the ball from its backline.

Milera had 23 disposals along with a team high eight marks.

“He is obviously a wise head, we know what he brings on the offensive side of things with hand on ball but just as impressive was his ability to read the cues, come off his opponent when he needed to impact a contest at the right times," Bello said.

“This was one of his better games at this level, so I am glad the trajectory for him is on the upwards.”

Milera was well supported by the likes of Josh Worrell - who led the team in disposals with 27 - and Patrick Parnell and Ben Davis who combined for nine rebound 50’s.

Rowe’s impact

James Rowe had a big influence on the game across the ground, always looking dangerous when the ball was in his hands.

“He was really influential for us early, he got into the game, won his contested ball but what was really pleasing for him was he was able to play his role,” Bello said.

“He was able to get his hands onto it but just as pleasing was his work off the ball which you do not see in the stats.”

Rowe collected 24 disposals, seven marks, four tackles and a goal. 

Newchurch’s hard work pays off

Small forward Tariek Newchurch was lively up forward, having a hand in both assists and conversions.

Newchurch finished the game kicking two majors, as well as getting his teammates involved, setting up Luke Nankervis, Jack Lewis and Fischer McAsey for goals.

“He has been working really hard in the offensive side of his game as well as the defensive, but I am happy that he was able to influence a little bit more offensively today”, Bello said.

“He could have impacted a lot more on the scoreboard and in his score assists but just as pleasing was his ability to get some tackles, not get out marked and bring the ball to ground which brought him into the game.”

McAsey up forward

With Adelaide losing key forward Riley Thilthorpe to a health and safety protocols, Bello looked to Fischer McAsey to move up forward to offer another tall target.

“We have full confidence in Fischer being able to play at both ends”, he said.

“We thought we might have been a little bit small in the front end so hence why Fischer went forward and he was really strong aerially, competed well.”

McAsey finished the game with two goals and 6 marks.

ADELAIDE:  4.2  6.5  9.7  12.10 (82)
SOUTH:       1.4  5.4  9.5  11.5 (71)

GOALS:

Adelaide: Lewis, Newchurch, Fogarty, McAsey 2, Rowe, Nankervis, Hamill, Hinge
South: Kantilla 3, Menzie, Gunther, Garthwaite 2, Brooksby, Sampson