Adelaide has suffered its first-ever loss to Greater Western Sydney, going down to the impressive Giants by 24 points at Spotless Stadium on Saturday.
The Giants had been smashed by the Crows in five previous attempts, but showed off their incredible running power yet again. Led by midfielders Dylan Shiel, Adam Treloar, Tom Scully and Ryan Griffen, the Giants grabbed their sixth victory of the season 16.12 (108) to 12.12 (84).
Ruckman Shane Mumford was again a powerhouse for the winners, while Cam McCarthy booted four goals in another impressive performance.
Giants coach Leon Cameron acknowledged the win was a significant part of the club's short history.
"They're competitors, they're starting to build a really good base in terms of resilience, and being able to stay in the match," Cameron said.
"At some time throughout the game we lost control of a couple of things, whether it be stoppages, inside 50s, poor choices, or goal kicking and Adelaide pounced on that.
"This time two years ago when we did lose control, then the heads would hang. Now it's one of those traits that they're starting to build and believe."
Adelaide skipper Taylor Walker had a fantastic battle with Joel Patfull and finished with four goals, while sharp shooter Eddie Betts added three of his own.
“We showed something in the last quarter but GWS may have put the cue in the rack then," Walsh said.
"I don't want to take anything away from GWS, they played really well. Leon's got them playing a strong brand of footy and we were unable to match them today."
In perfect conditions for their game style, the Giants ran rampant in the opening minutes, kicking the first five goals of the match to lead by 34 points at the 14-minute mark. To the visitors' credit they managed to halt the Giants' momentum with three in a row, but it didn't stop the hosts booting 6.4 for the opening term, their highest scoring first quarter ever.
Walker's second and third goals gave the Crows the start to the second term they were after and the deficit was back to single figures as he got on top of Patfull.
The Giants gradually regained control of the midfield battle thanks to Scully's incredible 13-possession second term, and goals to Callan Ward and Jeremy Cameron helped the home side to a 20-point lead at the long break.
After just three disposals in the first half, Betts found some footy after the long break and two pieces of magic from his favourite right forward pocket threatened to spark the Crows.
Adelaide kicked three of the first five goals of the third quarter but never got closer than 14 points as GWS found answers every time the Crows mounted a challenge.
As they'd done for most of the day the Giants matched the Crows' intensity and wrestled back control of the game. McCarthy was the beneficiary of a dominant on-ball brigade and kicked three for the quarter with the Giants booting the last five goals of the term to go to the last change 46 points clear.
With the sting gone from the match the Crows showed some fight to boot the only three goals of the final term, but the damage was well and truly done. Adelaide’s loss was compounded by injuries to Sam Kerridge (ankle) and Rory Laird (concussion).
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 6.4 8.7 16.10 16.12 (108)
ADELAIDE 3.3 5.5 9.6 12.12 (84)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: McCarthy 4, Greene 3, Cameron 2, Ward, Stewart, Smith, Shiel, Kelly, Buntine, Bugg
Adelaide: Walker 4, Betts 3, Jenkins 2, Lynch, Dangerfield, Jacobs
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Shiel, Griffen, McCarthy, Treloar, Scully, Ward
Adelaide: Dangerfield, Mackay, Laird, Crouch, Walker, Betts
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: TBC
Adelaide: Kerridge (ankle), Laird (head), Brown (heavy knock), Henderson (back) replaced in the selected side by Kerridge
SUBSTITUTES
Greater Western Sydney: Zac Williams replaced Josh Kelly in the final quarter
Adelaide: Jarryd Lyons replaced Sam Kerridge in the third quarter
Reports: Jeremy Cameron reported for foreceful front-on contract on Kyle Cheney during the first quarter
Umpires: Donlon, Ryan, Nicholls
Official crowd: 9,481 at Spotless Stadium
