Adelaide’s SANFL side recorded a hard-fought victory over a determined West Adelaide outfit, defeating them by 11 points in the Neil Kerley Memorial Match at Richmond Oval on Saturday afternoon. 

Leading by one-point at the first break, the Crows ripped the game open in the second term, outscoring the Bloods six-goals-to one, including four within a six-minute period.

Despite the 30-point half-time advantage, West Adelaide refused to give up, kicking the last four majors of the game, but the damage was done, as the Crows  took a 13.16 (94) to 12.11 (83) win. 

Here are SANFL Coach Matthew Wright’s five key takeaways from the match.

ROB wins Neil Kerely Medal 

Ruckman Reilly O’Brien had a great connection with Adelaide’s on ballers throughout the afternoon, helping the side win clearances by five, and hit-outs by 24.

O’Brien’s second efforts at the stoppags were strong, as he scooped up his own tap work to win clearances, along with recording one-percenters by knocking the ball on into space, shepherding for teammates and coming across to spoil. 

O’Brien’s efforts were recognised after winnimg the Neil Kerley Medal for his best-on-ground performance.

“He competes so hard and leads the group so well, his ability to give our mids first look, he was rock solid again today,” Wright said. 

“He was a really worthy winner of the medal, his contest stuff is elite, he gives us effort and consistency week-in-week-out, so pleased for him to come away with the medal today.”

O’Brien amassed 25 disposals, eight marks, 31 hit-outs and a game-high 10 clearances. 

Pedlar continues to build consistency

Forward Luke Pedlar built on his performance from last week, with an impressive outing against the Bloods.

In his second competitive match since returning from a hamstring injury, Pedlar looked to stamp his mark on the game early, leading up well at the ball and hitting the scoreboard.

Wright was happy to see him back fit and firing. 

“He has done a heap of work to be in a position where he can attack games again and I thought he was really impressive today,” he said. 

“His speed and power, he had a couple of important set shots where the game was hanging in the balance and he gave us a buffer, so to have him back up and running is super important for us.”

Pedlar finished with 14 disposals, seven marks, two goals and five scoring shots.

Maley dominates in the air

Forward Finnbar Maley provided Adelaide with a reliable aerial presence inside-50, taking nine marks for the game. 

Maley played an important role in the Crows jumping ahead in the second term, booting two goals in four minutes and finishing with three for the match. 

“He has this ability in a pack to not be able to see him and then all of a sudden, he stands up and has the ball in his hands,” Wright said.

“His ability to get it done one-versus-one, he brings his teammates into the game and as a second ruck he gives us great looks, so his game is pretty well rounded at the minute”

Maley amassed 19 disposals, two contested marks, three tackles and three inside-50s. 

Drury stars 

SANFL Development Player Blake Drury was one of Adelaide’s standout contributors, winning plenty of the ball and hitting the scoreboard with four majors.

Drury was unselfish, looking for teammates to get them involved, while adding another dimension for the Crows when he played on-ball thanks to his speed and pressure.

 “He played forward in the first half and then through the middle in the second and kicked four, had 15 score involvements, he is a competitor and is a really good player for us,” Wright said.

 “Someone with his class and ball use, ability to find the footy, work rate, he competes, he has all the attributes.”

Drury collected 22 touches, five marks and 10 inside-50s.

Experience duo deliver

Midfielder Chayce Jones and wingman Lachlan Sholl continued their consistent form, both impacting the match.

Jones worked well both ways to support his teammates, while Sholl played off half-back, where his class with ball in hand was evident. 

“Chayce’s contest work is elite, he is a beautiful ball user, but probably the thing that not everyone picks up on is his work rate to shift back defensively to help and then provide a link going forward,” Wright said. 

“Sholl has probably been one of the most in-form wingmen in the competition and then for him to go back and pick up where he left off in defence, he gives us some great punch off the back half with his ball use.”

Jones finished with 25 disposals, six marks and four clearances, while Sholl collected 24 disposals, 11 marks and five rebound-50s. 

The game was the fourth edition of the annual Neil Kerley Memorial Match.

Adelaide’s SANFL side will not play next weekend, with a League wide bye.

Its next game will be against South Adelaide at Noarlunga Oval on August 1, with the game starting at 2:10pm. 

SCOREBOARD

ADELAIDE: 2.4  8.7  10.12  13.16  (94)

WEST ADELAIDE: 2.3  3.6  8.8  12.11  (83) 

GOALS:

Adelaide: Drury 4, Pedlar, Maley 2, Welsh, Draper, Taheny, Ludowyke, Maley

West Adelaide: Searle 3, Hansen, Koehne, Ryan 2, Walsh, Scully, Obst 

BEST:

Drury, Jones, O’Brien, Maley, Pedlar