Behind the numbers from Crows' Round 21 win

Two memorable AFL debuts, three maiden goals and a season-high score, here are the key stats and storylines from Adelaide’s win over Essendon.

New Crows shine in memorable AFL debuts

Two first-game Crows made memorable starts to their AFL careers against Essendon, with Archie Ludowyke becoming player No. 275 and Oscar Ryan No. 276. Both had special moments in the win, including their first AFL goals.

Ryan, drafted at the end of 2023, was composed across half-back, finishing with 19 disposals and eight score involvements with 89 per cent disposal efficiency. His highlight came in the third quarter, when he weaved past opponents on the 50m arc and finished accurately for his first goal.

Ludowyke’s first kick set up a shot on goal for Riley Thilthorpe, but he had to wait until the final term for his own chance. The 18-year-old selflessly sacrificed an opportunity in the third quarter, handballing to Ben Keays in the goalsquare after marking 20 metres from goal. With seven minutes left, however, he took a strong mark on a lead to Zac Taylor and converted from about 45 metres.

Ryan and Ludowyke were presented with their guernseys before the game by former Crow Linden Stevens, who played two AFL games late in the 1998 season.

Rare late-season double debut

Adelaide rarely introduces two AFL debutants in the same game late in a season. The most recent pair was Harry Schoenberg and Lachlan Sholl, who debuted against Melbourne in round 10, 2020. Future premiership players Peter Vardy and Kane Johnson also started together, against Brisbane in round 14, 1996.

Hall-Kahan joins the first-goal club

Hugo Hall-Kahan also joined the first-goal list in his eighth AFL game. The mid-season draftee drifted inside 50 in the third quarter, received a pass from Josh Rachele and finished the chance. Fellow defender Josh Worrell may be asking for tips this week, having played 74 games without a goal.

Depth shines in dominant team display

Some familiar names led the stats, while two inclusions also made an impact. Captain Jordan Dawson had a game-high 30 disposals, nine clearances and 10 score involvements, while Izak Rankine was damaging with 23 disposals, three goals and 11 score involvements. Callum Ah Chee, playing his first AFL game since June 4, showed his value with a game-high four goal assists and two goals from 15 disposals. Billy Dowling had 18 disposals, 11 marks, scored 3.2 and had four other score involvements in his second AFL game of the season.

Star forward sets the tone early

Thilthorpe set the tone early, kicking three goals from three first-quarter kicks before finishing with 5.2, 15 disposals, 10 marks and an equal career-high six contested marks. He also spent time in the ruck when Lachlan McAndrew needed a break. The 2025 All-Australian forward has now kicked 29 goals from 17 games this season, five behind Rachele and two ahead of Keays. Adelaide’s 23.7 (145) was its highest score of the season.

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