Adelaide’s SANFL side started its State League Season with a narrow seven-point loss to West Adelaide at Richmond Oval on Saturday afternoon.  

The Crows fought back from a 31-point three-quarter-time deficit to close the gap to one straight kick, but were unable to fit the front and ultimately fell 11.13 (79) to 11.6 (72). 

SANFL Senior Coach Matthew Wright spoke to AFC Media post game and provided five key takeaways.  

Dowling has ball on a string 

Midfielder Billy Dowling was consistent throughout the four terms, winning plenty of the ball and matching it with West Adelaide’s midfielders. 

Even when the Bloods onballers were getting on top at stoppages, Dowling’s workrate could not be questioned, with Wright impressed with his two-way running. 

“He’s a worker, he works so hard not just at the contest but between the arcs, he runs both ways and we were able to see that today. 

“He had some really nice defensive moments where he was able to cut across and chop off some intercepts, he is in a good spot.”

Dowling finished with a game-high 37 disposals, six tackles, seven clearances and seven inside 50s. 

Borlase controls the skies 

Defender James Borlase kept Adelaide in the game early, repelling West Adelaide’s forward entries with plenty of spoils and intercept marks.

He led the way in defence as he supported his teammates, and limited his direct opponent, in a performance Wright was full of praise for.

“If he was not best on ground he was pretty close,” Wright said. 

“I thought he was fantastic today, he was able to come across and impact and get I don’t know how many intercept marks.

 “We wouldn’t have been in a position to go at the game in that last quarter if it wasn’t for his first half. I thought he saved four or five goals alone.”

 Borlase finished with 13 disposals, 10 marks – four contested – and five rebound 50s.

Edwards continues to develop his craft 

Third-year Crow Charlie Edwards continued his strong form, with another composed performance through the midfield. 

Edwards’ teammates looked to get the ball into his hands, with his decision making and contest work a highlight.

“His game has really grown and he could be one of the premier mids of this competition, which is then putting his hand up to play AFL footy,” Wright said.

“He is still working on his craft, I thought his contest work around the footy was really solid today.” 

Edwards amassed 23 disposals, five clearances and six inside 50s.

Drury provides forward spark 

Forward Blake Drury gave Adelaide a spark in attack, competing hard from start-to-finish.

Drury was hungry to get the ball, working well both ways, and was ultimately rewarded for his efforts with a team-high four goals. 

“He is a competitor, he works diligently at his game and does the work Monday to Friday so he can come out and perform game day,” Wright said.

“Probably more pleasing was there were some really important moments where it was 2v1 or 1v1 and he had to sit under the ball and take a couple of marks or get it to ground.” 

Drury finished with 25 disposals, 10 marks, three tackles and six inside 50s. 

Adelaide makes late charge

Despite a lacklustre opening three quarters, Adelaide showed plenty of fight in the final term to almost steal a victory.

Down by 31 points going into the last quarter, the Crows flicked the switch, and were able to get multiple repeat entries inside 50, while stifling West Adelaide’s ball movement. 

Adelaide kept the Bloods to just the three behinds for the term, while booting four goals, but ultimately left the fight back to late.

“We knew they were going to be an issue ahead of the ball if they got a heap of supply and they were able to do that today and kick a score,” Wright said.

“Disappointing for three quarters, great response in the fourth quarter, but when the damage is done all you’re doing is chasing and everything has to go your way.” 

Adelaide’s SANFL side will take on Woodville-West Torrens in Round Two at Woodville Oval on Thursday night at 7.40pm.  

ADELAIDE: 0.1  4.1  7.3  11.6  (72)

WEST ADELAIDE: 4.3  7.7  11.10  11.13  (79)

GOALS:

Adelaide: Drury 4, Ludowyke 2, Welsh, Coleman, Strachan, O’Brien, Richards

West Adelaide: Burgess 5, Ellem, Scully 2, May, Thackeray 

BEST:

Borlase, Drury, O’Brien, Dowling, Harry Boyle