The Crows have staged a thrilling come-from-behind win over Fremantle in a trial game played in hot conditions at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.
Adelaide trailed by 35 points at the main change, but piled on nine goals to a tiring Freo’s three in the second half to hit the lead for the first time late in the last term. Kepler Bradley had a chance to level the scores seconds before the final siren, but his shot at goal missed to the left and the Crows held on for a gritty five-point win, 13.11 (89) to 13.6 (84).
Damaging utility Brodie Martin led the way with three goals. Rookie Tim McIntyre kicked two goals in two minutes to level the scores in the last quarter. Josh Jenkins also kicked two, including the goal to put the home team ahead. The athletic forward set up another goal in the final term after bursting through the corridor, taking two running bounces and handballing to a vacant Martin in the goal square. Lewis Johnston (two goals) was also dangerous in attack.
Promising Crow Brad Crouch was Adelaide’s leading possession-getter, racking up 19 touches including 15 handballs and four clearances.
Matthew Jaensch (18 possessions and eight marks) and Richard Tambling (18 possessions and two clearances) found plenty of ball across half-back and on the wing. Young defenders Luke Brown (17 possessions and five marks) and Rory Laird (17 possessions and two inside 50ms) also impressed, while uncapped Crow Mitch Grigg showed great intensity around the contest.
Shaun McKernan presented strongly, collecting 17 possessions, six hit-outs and 1.3. Jenkins picked up 10 possessions to go with 12 hit-outs, 2.1 and one score assist.
Matthew Wright (16 possessions) and Rory Sloane (15 possessions) dominated early before being substituted out of the game at half time, while Patrick Dangerfield had 11 touches in the second half. Bernie Vince made a successful return from shoulder surgery and was influential after being introduced in the third quarter.
Tendai Mzungu and Hayden Crozier each kicked two goals for Fremantle. Nat Fyfe (19 disposals) and David Mundy (17 possessions) made successful first appearances this pre-season.
The Dockers were at their defensive best in the first quarter, stifling Adelaide’s ball movement and capitalising on the home team’s turnovers. Freo kicked six goals straight before Jenkins and McKernan put the Crows on the board late in the term. The second quarter unfolded in similar fashion, but Martin kept his side in the contest with consecutive goals.
The Crows, who opted to introduce six fresh players – Patrick Dangerfield, Tom Lynch, Kyle Hartigan, Ricky Henderson, Ian Callinan and Bernie Vince – in the second half gained the ascendancy in the third term. Johnston kicked two goals for the term, including a clever boundary-line snap and goals to Henderson and Callinan reduced the deficit to six points at the last change.
The Dockers, who chose to use only 25 players and then lost Stephen Hill and Michael Walters to injury during the match, appeared to tire in the latter stages. The Crows kept coming and gave the vocal crowd of approximately 2,000 a perfect start to the 2013 Members Day.
Match details
Adelaide 1.3 4.4 9.10 13.11 (89)
Fremantle 6.2 10.3 11.4 13.6 (84)
GOALKICKERS
Adelaide: Martin 3, Jenkins 2, Johnston 2, McIntyre 2, Callinan, Henderson, Lynch, McKernan
Fremantle: Crozier 2, Mzungu 2, Fyfe, Mundy, Pearce, Clarke, Neale, Spurr, Sheridan, Neale, Walters
