Standout performances from former Bulldogs Wayne Milera Junior and Troy Menzel has helped Adelaide crush Central District by 72 points in Saturday’s SANFL Elimination Final.

The pair kicked three of the opening four goals of the contest and finished with five majors between them to punish their former team in the sunshine at Adelaide Oval.

Milera was damaging with his dash all afternoon, amassing 24 possessions and six inside 50ms, while Menzel looked dangerous whenever he was in the vicinity finishing with three goals from seven scoring shots.

The Crows impressed with a hard-running, rebound style in the dominant 19.11 (125) to 7.11 (53) victory to advance to a Semi-Final clash next weekend.

Magarey Medal contender Cam Ellis-Yolmen was unstoppable around the ground. The prolific onballer burrowed in at every contest, winning a team-best 29 possessions and seven clearances to inspire his side.

Left-footers Harrison Wigg (25 disposals, two goals) and Mitch Grigg (21 disposals, one goal) were also strong contributors, while Riley Knight ran tirelessly both ways in another sublime performance.

Hugh Greenwood relished his first game at Adelaide Oval. The strongly-built rookie crashed in at the coalface to lay 11 tackles alongside his 22-possession and two-goal performance.

SANFL Stats: Elimination Final

Experienced pair Nathan van Berlo and Andy Otten acted as the generals in Adelaide’s defence. Van Berlo provided great drive from half-back, while Otten and young rookie Keenan Ramsey were superior in the air.

Jake Kelly also impressed with 23 possessions and six marks in a strong defensive display.

As expected, it was a physical contest early as both teams crashed in to set the tone for their teammates.

Adelaide fielded 10 players aged 21 or under, but the young SANFL Crows were not overawed by the finals stage or their poor recent record against the Bulldogs.

Crows SANFL coach Heath Younie was proud of his side's ability to stand tall against quality opposition.

"I’m really proud of the playing group. They worked really hard over the offseason obviously, and to be able come and beat Centrals after being beaten really convincingly throughout the course of the year and get that result is really pleasing," Younie said.

"I want to send out a really big thanks for all the Crows supports who came out today. For all our supporters to come and make some real noise, our guys really appreciated it.

"To get the result can only grow belief for our guys."

Crows deserve finals chance: Younie

The Crows held Central District to its only goalless opening term of the season off the back of Milera and Menzel’s sizzling start. Adelaide booted the first five goals of the game before the Bulldogs finally found a major three minutes into the second term.

It was only a momentary lapse however as the Crows continued to pile on the pain. Harry Dear kicked three goals for the term and midfield pair Grigg and Ellis-Yolmen also hit the scoreboard as Adelaide surged to a 54-point half-time lead.


Milera split the middle with an incredible set shot from the south-western pocket to kick off the third term with the margin blowing out beyond 10 goals at the final break.

Central showed fighting spirit early n the final term, but the result was never in doubt.

Crows SANFL captain Luke Carey kicked his first goal for the Club, dominant ruckman Reilly O’Brien snapped his maiden goal of the day and Knight added the final goal after the siren in a fitting finish to the match.

Paul Seedsman and Luke Lowden were late withdrawals from the Elimination Final as the Club continues to manage their return from injuries.

Adelaide's SANFL finals campaign continues next Sunday afternoon against South Adelaide from 12.10pm at Adelaide Oval in the second Semi-Final.

 

ADELAIDE                      4.1   11.4   14.8   19.11 (125)
CENTRAL DISTRICT     0.2   2.4   4.6   7.11 (53)

GOALS
Adelaide: Dear 3, Menzel 3, Milera 2, Wigg 2, Greenwood 2, Ellis-Yolmen, Grigg, van Berlo, Beech, Carey, O’Brien, Knight
Central District: Hoskin 2, Edmead 2, Templeton, Holman, D.Fort,

BEST
Adelaide: Greenwood, Knight, Ellis-Yolmen, Otten, Menzel, Wigg, Ramsey
Central District: T.Schiller, J.Schiller, Goodrem, Kavanagh, Hoskin

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Central District: Nil