Adelaide’s SANFL side has responded in style, knocking off rivals Port Adelaide by 52 points at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon. 

The Crows brought the pressure from the opening bounce to lead by as much as 73 points during the third term, before Port fought its way back, however it was too late with Adelaide running out 19.15 (129) to 12.5 (77) winners.

Here are SANFL Assistant Coach Andrew McPherson’s five key takeaways from the match: 

Draper fit and firing

Midfielder Sid Draper was impactful from the first minute, damaging with ball in hand, particularly in Adelaide’s forward half, amassing eight touches, a goal and four inside 50’s in the first term. 

Splitting his time across the middle of the ground and forward line, Draper continued his form throughout the game, to set season-highs in disposals and inside 50s.

“He has got himself going, he’s done a power of work to get himself in a really good spot,” McPherson said.

“He’s playing a slightly different role, he spent more time forward today, but he was still able to get himself around the contest, get his hands on the footy and impact on the scoreboard as well.”

 Draper finished with 24 disposals, eight clearances, seven inside 50s and booted one major. 

Key forwards gel 

Adelaide’s key forwards Toby Murray, Finnbar Maley, Archie Ludowyke and Tyler Welsh worked well as a unit, all playing their role and impacting the game in moments.

Murray’s work higher up the ground and as a second ruckmen gave Adelaide a different look, Maley was impactful in the air, Ludowyke led at the ball well, while Welsh made the most of his chances – with all four having multiple scoring shots. 

“It’s great to see them click, they all found ways to impact,” McPherson said. 

“They got their rewards at times and even when they didn’t, they brought really good heat and really good contest, helping us lock the ball in our forward half.” 

Murray had 20 disposals, four majors and five inside 50s, Maley booted three goals and took three contested marks, Ludowyke had four scoring shots and four marks, while Welsh kicked two goals and had eight marks. 

Jones and Dowling get the job done 

On-ballers Chayce Jones and Billy Dowling continued their strong SANFL form, being key cogs in Adelaide’s midfield unit. 

Jones brought the tackling intensity, laying a game-high nine tackles, while Dowling was clean with ball in hand and threatened in front of goal.

“The mids played a massive part in the win today, winning it at the source and getting the ball going forward, we spent a lot of time in our front half, off the back of the work those guys did,” McPherson said. 

“What I loved about Jones’ and Dowling’s game was their ability to get their job done defensively, shifted really hard for us all day and helped out backs out as well.”

Jones amassed 23 disposals, seven clearances and booted a goal, while Dowling collected 21 touches, six clearances and had three scoring shots. 

Back six deliver

Adelaide’s back six held up well against Port, nullifying the impact of their inside 50s, with the likes of Nick Murray, Tom Bell and Indy Cotton effective in the air. 

The Crows transitioned the ball effectively from their back half, thanks to half backs Oscar Ryan and Lachlan Sholl providing run and carry to get Adelaide on the offensive. 

“It was good for a young group to show a bit of maturity with some guys around them that have played AFL footy,” McPherson said. 

“They stood up really well, took some of the punches Port threw at us, but bounced back really well.

“They didn’t just defend, but also started a bit of our offense from back there.” 

First half brilliance

Adelaide’s dominant first half put them in a strong position to win the game, getting off to a fast start, booting 14 of the first 19 goals of the contest. 

The first two terms were played mainly in the Crows’ half, winning clearances 21-12 and the inside 50 count 31 to 15, to lead by 10 goals at the main break.

The Crows had equal contributors across the park, with McPherson pleased with how everyone played their role. 

“It’s a huge turnaround from the last couple of weeks where we have had those slower starts and finished on the back foot,” he said. 

“For the boys to come out and perform the way they did and commit to their roles resulted in some really good scoreboard pressure which held us in good stead later.” 

The game served as a curtain raiser to the AFL Showdown.

Adelaide’s SANFL side’s next game will be against Central District at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday with the first bounce at 1:10pm. 

ADELAIDE: 7.6  14.9  17.10  19.15  (129)

PORT: 3.3  5.3  10.4  12.5  (77)

 GOALS:

Adelaide: T.Murray 4, Atkinson, Maley 3, Drury, Welsh 2, Jones, Draper, Ludowyke, Sholl, Dowling

Port: Tarca, Marshall 3, Moore 2, Cochrane, Lorenz, Cavallaro