Adelaide’s SANFL side went down to reigning premier Sturt by 48 points at Unley Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Following a strong opening term, Sturt flipped the script in the second quarter, booting nine-straight majors to take control of the game.

The Double Blues’ dominance in the second and third terms proved the difference, outscoring the Crows 14-goals-to one, to prevail 18.9 (117) to 10.9 (69).

Here are SANFL coach Matthew Wright’s five key takeaways from the match:

Fogarty influential in return

Forward Darcy Fogarty played his first competitive game of football in more than a month after returning from a back injury.

Fogarty was impactful in the Crows' front half, getting off to a fast start when he kicked Adelaide’s first goal of the match.

He then set up the Crows' second and provided a strong target up forward throughout the afternoon.

Fogarty finished with nine touches, four marks – two contested – and a team-high three goals.

“I thought Fog competed really well all day, he covered the ground well, he provided a real presence early when we got the footy in there,” Wright said.

“Even late when we provided some opportunities you could see how dangerous he was.”

Ah Chee gets through unscathed while adding adds class and composure

Crows recruit Callum Ah Chee also made a come back to competitive football through the SANFL, after being sidelined since injuring his hamstring against the Western Bulldogs.

The two-time premiership Lion added leadership and composure to the Crows' SANFL team.

Ah Chee amassed 15 disposals, three marks, three inside 50s and booted a major.

“For Cal to get through uninjured (was great), I thought he performed well and moved well,” Wright said.

“(I’m) pleased for him to be out there running around and no doubt some of our younger boys to be able to play around him is going to pay us back in the long run.”

Dowling leads the midfield charge

Midfielder Billy Dowling battled with Sturt’s on-ballers throughout the afternoon, and worked his way into the game.

Dowling covered the ground well, worked hard to support Adelaide’s defenders and helped drive the Crows’ attacking ball movement.

The 21-year-old finished with a team-high 28 disposals, seven tackles, six clearances, eight inside-50s and four rebound- 50s.

“Bill works really hard both ways, he is consistent in that space, his game is continuing to build,” Wright said.

““He’s a worker, he goes to work each week and he’s playing at a really high level.”

Ryan sparks rebound from defence

Defender Oscar Ryan was effective off half-back, generating ball movement and run-and-carry out of defence.

Ryan showed a good balance between knowing when to attack and defend, with Wright impressed by the youngster's his ability to nullify his direct opponent’s impact.

“First and foremost, we want him defending really well and we thought he was doing that well today and was able to nullify his man at times in the contest,” Wright said.

“He provided some real punch for us off halfback, we want him to keep going at the game and want him to be really hard to play against.”

Ryan finished with 23 disposals, nine marks and five rebound-50s.

Cotton’s growth continues to impress

Recruit Indy Cotton continued his growth, and had put together a solid fortnight of performances.

Playing his sixth game of SANFL footy, after Adelaide signed him as a Category B rookie at the end of 2025, Wright said Cotton was starting to be rewarded for his hard work.

“His growth in his first six games of League footy has been rapid, he works hard during the week and wants to get better,” Wright said.

“I reckon his past fortnight has been really consistent, but we’ve still got to find the challenge of impacting in the air and running off halfback.

“When he’s at his best and not at his best, the gap is getting smaller and smaller week to week.”

Cotton collected 17 possessions, took four marks and had three rebound-50s.

There will be no SANFL next weekend with a League-wide bye.

Adelaide’s next SANFL game will be against Glenelg at Glenelg Oval on Saturday, May 23 at 2:10pm.

SCOREBOARD

ADELAIDE: 4.1  5.5  5.7  10.9  (69)

STURT: 1.3  10.4  15.7  18.9 (117) 

GOALS:

Adelaide: Fogarty, Welsh 3, Drury 2, Bennett, Ah Chee, Jones.

Sturt: Conforti 4, Hone 3, Parker, Grivell 2, Burrows, Rawlinson, Sadler, Schoell, Doyle, Slade, Frederick.

BEST: Fogarty, Boyle, O’Brien, Ah Chee, Cotton.