Adelaide enjoyed a gritty, come-from behind victory against West Adelaide at Richmond Oval on Saturday. In a game of two halves, the Crows fought back to record a 36-point win.

Second-half changes pay off

Adelaide was slow out of the blocks and that led to a 16-point, half-time deficit.

SANFL Senior Coach Michael Godden and his staff made some strategic adjustments at the main break, including moving Chayce Jones into the centre and Luke Pedlar up forward.

Speaking to AFC Media post-game, Godden was pleased the switch paid off.

“I just felt that around the contest we were being beaten in the first half, so we put Chayce in there who hasn’t played much midfield time lately and he made a really big difference,” Godden said.

“I’m really happy for him (Jones) because he’s obviously playing halfback now and this is just another thing he can do."

Jones finished the game with 21 disposals, seven tackles and five marks, while Pedlar kicked two goals.

“I’m really happy with Peds because to his own admission the first half didn’t go the way he wanted to go,” Godden said.

“He went forward and it is really important to adapt and change and he did that.

“To go forward and get seven or eight touches and kick two goals in the second half is a great response.”

In the second half, Adelaide kept West Adelaide to just one goal, while piling on 10 of its own.

Schoenberg shines

Harry Schoenberg led Adelaide's midfield brigade with 27 disposals, four marks, three tackles, four clearances and five inside 50s.

Although the Crows' first half wasn't as strong as they would have liked, Schoenberg worked hard to swing the momentum and that impressed the senior coach. 

“Harry put another really strong performance in, he’s building his game,” he said.

“We know he is a big part of our future at this footy club and every game like that is just a tick in the box for him.

“Even in the first half when we weren’t going so well, he was going well, so to have the impact on the game that he did was excellent.”

No stopping Strachan 

Kieran Strachan continued his good form and, against the Bloods, he dominated in the ruck, giving Adelaide’s midfielders first look. 

Strachan’s work around the ground was also a highlight of his game, after taking 13 marks - including six contested.

A highlight came at the start of the third quarter, when the ruckman won the hit out, then moments later took a contested mark, before kicking a goal from inside 50. 

“He’s just a consistent performer,” Godden said.

“His tap work is really good but the aerial work is what he has been working on and he’s done a great job.”

Strachan finished with 34 hit-outs, 20 disposals and two goals.

Boyle shows versatility

Adelaide SANFL-listed midfielder Jay Boyle enjoyed a standout game and proved he could be strong inside and outside the contest  

Boyle won plenty of the ball, en route to a 24 disposals, four clearances, five inside 50’s and two goals.

“He’s been a consistent performer from our development squad all year,” Godden said.

“He kicked a couple of goals from the wing, so he is able to play inside and outside

“He’s been predominately an inside mid, he’s added the outside now which gives us great flexibility.” 

Milestone Matt 

It was day to remember for Adelaide captain, Matthew Wright who played his 50th game for the SANFL side.

The crafty veteran made his presence felt by kicking two goals, including an important one during the third term which levelled the scores. 

“His leadership is critical to us,” Godden said.

“Today when we moved Pedlar and Zac Taylor forward, to have Matt up there where he can organise where they go and give them education on the go whilst still playing at a really high level is a credit to him.

“He’s a great leader, a coach at our footy club and ultimately a bloody good player.”

Adelaide will take on South Adelaide at Noarlunga on Saturday at 1:10pm.

ADELAIDE:  2.2  5.8  10.9  15.12 (102)
WEST ADELAIDE: 4.5  8.6  8.9  9.12 (66)

GOALS:

ADELAIDE: Gollant 3, Strachan, Boyle, McAsey, Pedlar, Wright 2, Borlase, Worrell
WEST ADELAIDE: Gore 3, McKenzie 2, Edwards, Meline, Stevens, Fairlie