It was a tale of two halves at Noarlunga Oval on Saturday afternoon, with Adelaide and South Adelaide playing out a thrilling draw.

The Crows dominated the first half, before South bounced back in the second, levelling the scores 10.13 (73) to Adelaide’s 11.7 (73).

Adelaide’s first quarter was full of fast ball movement down the corridor, which resulted in the first six goals of the game.

Midfielder Myles Poholke dominated the opening term, collecting 15 disposals and kicking three goals.

The Crows maintained that intensity in the second quarter and entered half time with a 43-point lead.

However, in a disappointing third term, Adelaide was beaten in the contest - both in the air and on the ground - and were kept scoreless by South, who reduced the visitors' lead to only one point at the last change.

It was a nail-biting final term with both teams going goal for goal, before the siren sounded at 73-all.

Poholke’s game in the midfield was outstanding, finishing with 30 disposals, kicking at 90 per cent efficiency, along with booting four goals.

Fellow midfielder Patrick Wilson also had a big influence, with 33 touches, 10 tackles and nine clearances.

Will Hamill and development squad member Matt Merrett both got plenty of the ball and played well out of the back half, while captain Matthew Wright contributed with 20 disposals and 10 tackles

State League coach Heath Younie said while he was disappointed with the second half, the first half showed what the team is capable of.

“It’s hard to swallow when you have a draw, but I said to the guys, ‘lets focus on the first half, because that brand of footy is going to stack up really well in this competition’,” Younie said.

“While we are disappointed with how we played [in the second half], I’d rather walk away from Noarlunga with one point than zero.

“I’m really proud of their first half and there is lot of learning from that.”

Younie spoke very highly of Poholke’s first half and his attitude after being demoted from the senior side.

"That half from Myles, that’s as good a SANFL footy as I have seen,” Younie said.

“His attitude to come and compete was outstanding.”

There were no injuries reported out of the game.

ADELAIDE           6.2         9.5           9.5           11.7        (73)
SOUTH                0.3         2.4           8.10          10.13      (73)

GOALS:
Adelaide: Poholke 4, Stengle 3, Mathews 2, Fogarty, Hutchesson
South: Noble 3, Karpany 2, Davis, Fitt, Liddle, Whittlesea, Irra

BEST: Poholke, Merrett, Wilson, Hamill, Wright