SANFL Round 13 v Central District: Five key takeaways

Adelaide’s SANFL side has put together a mature performance to knock off Central District by 50 points at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The Crows did most of their damage in the second and third term, kicking 11 goals to the Dogs' three and winning inside 50s 27 to 20, on their way to a 16.10 (106) to 8.8 (56) victory.

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

Mids deliver the damage

On-ballers Chayce Jones and Charlie Edwards set the tone through the midfield, winning plenty of the ball, using it efficiently and combining well with Adelaide's forwards.

Jones got off to a fast start with 10 touches in the opening term, while Edwards helped break the game apart in the second term with 11 disposals and two majors.

“Charlie has been one that has been really consistent all year and is putting his hand up to play AFL footy. He’s shown the ability to compete in the contest, work back defensively and then at the right time get forward.”

“Both are not massive accumulators, but their impact per disposal and efficiency, their ability to execute their role was a huge factor in us getting the result.”

Jones finished with 31 disposals, 11 clearances and five inside 50s, while Edwards collected 30 possessions, six marks and nine inside 50s.

Cumming battles hard

Adelaide utility Isaac Cumming battled against the Bulldogs, crashing packs and throwing himself at the ball to intercept.

Cumming was clean with ball in hand, calm under pressure, getting the job done defensively and then on the rebound.

“He got through in the end, and he is one that has had an interrupted season, so it was good to have him out there,” Wright said.

“No doubt he’ll build off the back of that, so to get another game under his belt, he is in a good spot.”

Cumming amassed 20 disposals, seven marks and four rebound 50s.

Back six combines

Adelaide’s back six held strong throughout the afternoon, rarely beaten one-on-one, and supporting each other to limit the effectiveness of Central’s inside 50s.

Welcoming Jordon Butts back from a calf injury, the likes of Nick Murray, Indy Cotton, Hugh Bond and Tom Bell worked well as a unit, with Wright impressed by the consistency they showed as a collective group.

“There were a couple of times they got through and Buttsy was able to win it, Muzz gets it done or Indy floats across and lays a tackle; I thought that back six worked really well together,” he said.

“They are an experienced group as they have played a heap of AFL footy, not as a SANFL backline, but I thought the way they were able to intergrade today led by Butts and Murray was pleasing.”

Murray led the way with 19 disposals and seven rebound 50s, while Butts had nine touches and three marks in his return.

Ryan shows composure

Half-back Oscar Ryan displayed calmness under pressure on multiple occasions against Central, evading tacklers and finding teammates with smart ball use.

Ryan combined well with his fellow defenders, linking up in transition to drive metres gained, while using the ball effectively to find teammates in space.

“His composure in pressure situations has gone through the roof this year, it’s been a real standout,” Wright said.

“His ability to get through that contest and then find a mark or disposal, or another handball receive and go at the game has been consistent this year.”

Ryan finished with 24 touches, seven marks, two inside 50s and three rebound 50s.

Ludowyke and Welsh show growth

Young forwards Archie Ludowyke and Tyler Welsh led the way in Adelaide’s attack, with the pair booting multiple goals each.

Ludowyke presented well all day to make a contest, while Welsh worked to get into dangerous positions, booting two quick goals in the third term, with Wright pleased to see the growth the two have made this season.

“You look at some of their big body defenders, he (Archie) matched it and was able to get on top. For him to come in and do what he’s been doing, he’s gone to another level over the last month,” he said.

“Tyler has done a lot of work on his aerial game, so for him to have that purple patch is great reward and some confidence going forward.”

Ludowyke amassed 14 disposals, 11 marks – five contested – and kicked two majors, while Welsh recorded 12 touches, 10 marks and kicked a game-high three goals.

Adelaide’s SANFL side will take on Glenelg at Glenelg Oval next Sunday with the first bounce at 2:10pm.

ADELAIDE: 2.2 8.5 13.6 16.10 (106)

CENTRAL: 2.4 4.5 5.6 8.8 (56)

GOALS:

Adelaide: Welsh 3, Edwards, Maley, Ludowyke 2, Atkinson, O’Leary, Taheny, Bell, Marsh, Crane, Drury

Central: Rosenzweig 3, Lochowiak, Grace 2, Thomas