Patrick Dangerfield was Adelaide’s leading possession-getter against Greater Western Sydney. In a rare game without a tight tag, Dangerfield collected 27 touches at 85.2 per cent efficiency. He also won a team-high eight clearances, took six marks, laid five tackles and kicked a goal.
Unfortunately, the Crows didn’t get an even contribution – only Dangerfield had 25 or more possessions for the visitors, while five Giants topped 25.
Young midfielder Matt Crouch laid a team-high six tackles. However, the Crows only managed 41 tackles as a team – the Club’s lowest tackle count for the season.
Adelaide won the contested possession count (126 – 111) but it was outside the contest GWS did the most damage. The fleet-footed Giants had 274 uncontested possessions compared to Adelaide’s 208. Greater Western Sydney also used the ball better, with a disposal efficiency rate of 79.6 per cent – the highest of any team in Round Eight. The Crows went at 73.3 per cent. The Giants also had 90 uncontested marks compared to Adelaide’s 71.
The fast-breaking GWS had a Round-high 19 running bounces, while the Crows minus their top three players in this category – Brodie Smith, Rory Sloane and Matt Jaensch – had only four.
Adelaide got off to another slow start, conceding the opening five goals of the game. The scoring evened up after quarter time, with the Giants narrowly outscoring the Crows 10 goals-to-nine but the damage had already been done and GWS was never headed.
The 24-point loss at Spotless Stadium was Adelaide’s first defeat at the hands of the much-improved Giants.
Captain Taylor Walker and livewire forward Eddie Betts continued their good goalkicking form. Walker slotted four goals without miss, while Betts added three to bring his season tally to 29 – ranked second in the AFL behind West Coast stat Josh Kennedy (31). Walker, who has kicked multiple goals in all bar one game this season, is equal-fourth on 25.
Walker took 11 marks against GWS – ranked fourth in the AFL on the weekend.
Dangerfield took five marks from opposition kicks on Saturday – ranked second in Round Eight. Young defender Jake Lever took four in another encouraging display.
In a new role across half-back, David Mackay had a team-high five rebound 50ms.
Match statistics
Disposals
Adelaide – 337
GWS – 393
Kicks
Adelaide –184
GWS – 197
Handballs
Adelaide – 153
GWS – 196
Free Kicks
Adelaide – 15
GWS – 12
Clearances
Adelaide – 41
GWS – 34
Inside 50ms
Adelaide – 41
GWS – 50
Contested Possessions
Adelaide – 126
GWS – 111
Tackles
Adelaide – 41
GWS – 68
Hit-outs
Adelaide – 53
GWS – 31
