Adelaide’s SANFL side defeated a fast-starting West Adelaide by 61 points at Hisense Stadium (Richmond Oval) on Saturday afternoon.

The Crows were slow out of the blocks, before taking control of the game during the second term, kicking 18 of the final 23 goals to prevail, 21.14 (140) to 12.7 (79).

The game was the third instalment of the Neil Kerley Memorial Match, honouring the South Australian football great, who was Adelaide’s inaugural Football Manager.

Here are the five key takeaways from the match.

Second-term turnaround

Adelaide found itself trailing by 22 points early in the second term, following a quick start by the Bloods.

But the Crows responded in emphatic fashion, flicking the switch from the 10-minute mark of the term, to boot nine unanswered goals.

It led to Adelaide taking a 33-point lead into the main break.

Once the Crows got the game on their terms there was no slowing them down, dominating at stoppages and were effective with their entries inside 50.

“I thought Westies were playing a real high-quality brand of footy and one we were unable to get a hold of until quarter two,” SANFL Senior Coach Matt Wright said

“We regrouped at quarter-time and we were able to come out and respond and play the brand of footy we wanted to play from the start of the game.”

Crouch returns

Midfielder Matt Crouch was at his prolific ball winning best against the Bloods, in his first game back from a hip injury.

Having last played in Adelaide’s Round Seven AFL match against Fremantle, Crouch did not miss a beat.

He featured in the first three quarters, and showed plenty of poise, winning the ball from stoppages.

“He’s missed eight-plus weeks of footy, so to come in and put in that effort and execute the way he did was awesome for him,” Wright said.

“(He played) three quarters and he was definitely one of our better players.”

Crouch collected 27 disposals, laid two tackles, had 10 clearances, and booted one major.

Burgess awarded Neil Kerley Medal

Forward Chris Burgess was awarded the Neil Kerley Medal as the best on ground for his four-goal performance against West Adelaide.

Burgess struggled in front of the big sticks early, missing his first three shots on goal, before turning his fortunes around.

But it was his willingness to get others involved, passing off scoring opportunities to teammates that were in better positions, which pleased Wright the most.

“He is the ultimate team-first player, he is kicking goals and getting results, and he could have knocked in a couple of extra today,” he said.

“The pleasing thing for me is the ones where he squares up and he gave two or three off today that I thought he was probably in his range to have a shot.”

Burgess amassed 16 disposals, six marks and had seven scoring shots.

Draper's agility on display

Midfielder Sid Draper played one of his best games in the tri-colours, with his smart ball use, running power and quick hands in tight on display.

Draper had a strong connection with his fellow on-ballers and the forwards, with his speed out of stoppage allowing him to link up with his teammates.

“Sid was fantastic today, his ability in tight to win the footy and then get shoulders out to give out forwards opportunities to compete was outstanding,” Wright said.

“I thought we had a really good balance inside today.”

Draper finished with 28 disposals, six marks, three clearances, six inside 50s and one goal.

Smith damaging off half-back

Defender Brodie Smith was a class above against West Adelaide, with his ability to lace out teammates and be damaging with his disposals.

Smith’s teammates looked to get the ball in his hands and make the most of his disposal efficiency, with him being a catalyst to the Crows breaking the game open in the second term.

“We know what he can do with ball in hand, defensively he is really strong, but also his ability to counter-punch and intercept and then go back at them really challenges the opposition,” Wright said.

“He was one that generated a heap of ball out of the back half today and stood up when we needed players to stand up.”

Smith finished with 30 disposals, 11 marks, three inside 50s and four rebound 50s.

Adelaide’s SANFL side will play Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, next Saturday, with the first bounce at 4:10pm.

The game will serve as a curtain raiser to the AFL Showdown.

ADELAIDE: 3.1  12.6  17.10  21.14  (140)

WEST ADELAIDE: 4.2  7.3  8.4  12.7  (79)

GOALS:

Adelaide: Burgess, Strachan 4, Drury, Sholl, Nankervis, Gallagher, Crane 2, Draper, Crouch, Dowling

West Adelaide: Johnson, Scully 3, Laudato, Burbridge, Haysman, Searle

BEST:

Burgess, McAndrew, Smith, Draper, Crouch