Adelaide’s first away game for AFL premiership points was the start of a relatively positive relationship with the Sydney Cricket Ground.
After launching their debut season in 1991 with two games at Football Park, the Crows headed to Sydney where they celebrated an uplifting win, despite trailing by 27 points early in the third quarter.
Adelaide booted 13 goals to win by 24 points, kicking into a strong breeze in the final quarter.
Magarey Medallist Scott Hodges shone in his second AFL game at full-forward, kicking 6.4, including five goals in the second-half surge.
“To win away is just great,” Then Captain Chris McDermott said post-game.
“No matter where they (the Swans) are on the table they are traditionally hard to beat in Sydney. Now we know it’s not impossible to win on different grounds. We were dead at the ten-minute mark of the third term.”
Sydney led by 13 points at half-time and added the first two goals of the third quarter but the Crows hit back with seven majors in 16 minutes, starting with the first AFL goal for first-gamer Stephen Rowe.
Hodges kicked his fourth goal at the start of the final term, only for Sydney to regain the lead with the next three goals.
From then on, however, the Crows dominated with five more goals including another two to Hodges and a fourth for Darren Smith.
According to The Advertiser match reports, ruckman Romano Negri was Adelaide’s best and the former Woodville captain helped involve midfielders including Grantley Fielke, Tony McGuinness and McDermott. Scott Lee and Bruce Abernethy were winners in defence and Rodney Maynard kicked two goals after being moved forward.
High-flying full forward Warwick Capper kicked 4.4 in his first game back at the SCG with Sydney, after three years with the Brisbane Bears.
Adelaide has won 14 of its 24 games against Sydney at the SCG, where it returns on Friday night.
The Crows and the Swans face off again this Friday, with the game starting at 7pm (ACST).
Fans can watch the game live on Channel 7 Adelaide, Fox Footy and Kayo.
