1. Stengle impresses as Betts watches on

Former Crows No.18 Eddie Betts was in attendance at Casey Fields to watch cousin Tyson Stengle make his first appearance in his old guernsey number. 

After a strong display in Adelaide’s match simulation last weekend, Stengle didn’t disappoint against AFL opposition, kicking his side’s first goal after winning a free kick for holding the ball. 

In the second quarter, his defensive efforts inside 50 created a goal for Elliott Himmelberg, and later in the game he cleverly eluded opponents and lowered the eyes to find Brad Crouch in front of the sticks. 

“Today there were some amazing passages of play that not many will look at where he’s pressuring the ball, working on his defence and causing goals, helping us with that turnover game,” coach Matthew Nicks said post-game. 

“He’s been outstanding and hopefully over the next couple of weeks he’ll have another few looks, and he’ll add some experience.”

2. Variety in the centre square 

Adelaide started Saturday’s game with Matt Crouch, Rory Atkins and Myles Poholke accompanying ruckman Reilly O’Brien in the opening centre bounce. 

After Melbourne’s first goal at the six-minute mark, O’Brien was joined by three new faces in Patrick Wilson, Chayce Jones and Brad Crouch.

Across the four quarters, the Crows used 12 players at centre bounces, compared to Melbourne’s six. Five Demons attended 17 bounces or more, while only O’Brien (20) reached that number for the visitors.

It may only be a pre-season game, but it represented a big shift from the Crows’ engine room structure in 2019 which was dominated by a trio of midfielders. 

Captain Rory Sloane (407 centre bounce involvements), Brad Crouch (385) and Matt Crouch (358) attended over 65 per cent of centre bounces in the games they played in.

Poholke (55.2 per cent) had the most involvement for a Crows midfielder on Saturday.

Adelaide's centre bounce involvements v Melbourne in Marsh 1

3. Nicks praises young Crows

In addition to Stengle, Nicks paid tribute to midfielder Chayce Jones and forward Ben Davis for their efforts across the day, particularly in the first half.

Jones finished the game with 16 disposals, four tackles and a goal, while Davis booted two first-half goals as both looked lively.

“At half time (I was) really happy with where the group was at… pleased at some of our younger guys had stepped up – Chayce Jones has shown some amazing stuff, especially defensively off the back of our strong team defence,” Nicks said. 

“Benny Davis forward of the ball showed some outstanding speed and took the game on, so there were some really good signs.

“We had a couple of new guys, (Ben) Crocker and (Ben) Keays, who played today, guys who have played at other clubs but are still really young footballers. 

“As far as experience goes, this is outstanding stuff for them. This is gonna benefit them going forward.”

“We had (Jordon) Butts down back and credit to him, he was able to recover after a couple of free kicks early where he was doing everything, we asked of him. I thought he ended up finishing the game really well considering we were under so much pressure.”

4. Turnovers costly in the second half 

The Crows were torched by the Demons in the second half, with Melbourne kicking 10 goals to three after half time to run out 33-point winners.

After only conceding two goals from turnovers in the first half, the Crows conceded eight in the second, but Nicks said the Crows would continue to play “fast football”.

“We made some mistakes and we were punished on the scoreboard, but we’re not going to stop taking the game on,” he said.

“I think they might have kicked 10 goals from turnover and you’re not going to win too many games with that number. 

“We’ll polish that up over the next month. Now’s the time to make mistakes and learn from them. I’m going to encourage our guys to keep going for it.”

5. There's still a lot to come before Round One

Brodie Smith and Taylor Walker did not play in the first Marsh Community Series game, while Rory Sloane and Rory Laird both played limited time on ground, registering 35 per cent and 41 per cent of game time respectively. 

The star quartet has been selected for Friday’s State of Origin for Bushfire Relief game at Marvel Stadium. 

The following day, Adelaide faces Port Adelaide in an Under-23 trial match at Thebarton Oval with the likes of Darcy Fogarty and Fischer McAsey expected to play. 

Defender Tom Doedee and wingman Paul Seedsman may also be considered.

“We’ll have an Under-23’s game next Saturday with the opportunity in that to possibly play a couple more guys that are slightly over 23,” Nicks said. 

“We’ve got a few guys we’re looking forward to coming back,” Nicks said.