Adelaide notched their fourth win in a row by defeating South Adelaide by 27 points at Magain Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

The Crows led at each change to record a 12.11 (83) to 8.8 (56) victory, with Billy Dowling and Brayden Cook among the standout performers. 

SANFL Senior Coach Matthew Wright spoke to AFC Media following the win.

Dowling dazzles

Billy Dowling was everywhere against South Adelaide, finishing the game with 41 disposals, eight marks and two goals in a standout display.

Dowling spent more time in the middle against the Panthers and Wright noted the 21-year-old’s versatility.

“Billy has played a number of roles, he played a bit of midfield last year, he’s played some wing minutes this year and forward minutes, and he’s done both at AFL-level,” Wright said.

“We’ve just got to find a balance between developing him in multiple roles, to give him opportunities to play AFL footy, but he was good around the footy today.”

Butts returns

Adelaide defender Jordon Butts made his return after missing three weeks with a punctured lung, sustained in the Round 18 AFL clash against the Western Bulldogs.

Wright said Butts “didn’t miss a beat” upon return.

“He’s awesome, he didn’t miss a beat, he obviously suffered a pretty serious injury in Melbourne,” Wright said.

“He was over there for nearly a week, but since he got back he’s been able to ramp up his rehab and do a heap of running, so conditioning wasn't going to be a problem.

“The high-performance team did a great job with him, there was limited contact work leading into the game but he ticked that off at the start of the week.

“He was awesome today and we know what he’s done at AFL-level so it’s no surprise.”

Another step for Crows

Adelaide kicked six of the first seven goals of the contest, then fought hard to come away with the points.

Wright said the win, Adelaide’s 13th of the SANFL season, was another step forward for the Club.

“We watched a lot of South Adelaide in the lead-in to the game and they’ve been in really good nick,” Wright said.

“We were weary coming in that they had been playing a really strong brand of footy.

“We’re really pleased to come away with the two points, it’s another step towards where we want to get to at the back-end of the season.”

Madgen moves forward

With Chris Burgess called up to the AFL side and Butts returning down back, SANFL skipper Jack Madgen was swung forward.

Madgen showed his value as he finished with 12 disposals, seven marks and three goals.

“The game is going to throw up different challenges week-to-week, so to have your skipper be able to go and play forward and compete as hard as he did is terrific,” Wright said.

“He competed and showed leadership and to be honest his goals were a bonus.

“He’s been enormous in our growth as a team this year.”

Thomas delivers 

In his first SANFL game for the season, development squad member Lachlan Thomas kicked three first-half goals and earned the praise of Wright post-game.

“He’s been a victim of opportunity unfortunately, but he’s gone back and grown as a footballer at local level and been dominant.

“For him to come in and find the level as quick as he did is impressive, but I’m also not surprised.

“He played a heap of league footy last year, so he’s had a taste for it, but he’s hungry and wants to be there every week for us.”

SCOREBOARD 

Adelaide 2.4 6.10 10.11 12.11 (83)

South Adelaide 0.3 2.4 4.5 8.8 (56)

BEST: Dowling, Cook, Drury, Madgen, Thomas, Crouch

GOALS: Madgen, Thomas 3, Dowling 2, Cook, Sholl, Strachan, Welsh