Adelaide has claimed its first SANFL Showdown victory over Port Adelaide on Sunday afternoon, despite losing star midfielder Brad Crouch in the opening term.

Crouch left the field with foot soreness midway through the first quarter of the contest at Alberton Oval. The 2013 Rising Star runner-up did not return to the field, leaving the SANFL Crows with limited rotations for the majority of the match, and will undergo further assessment in the coming days.

The scare was the only sour note in what was an entertaining contest at Alberton Oval.

The Crows led all afternoon to claim their second win of the SANFL season by 20 points and the Club’s first triumph over the Magpies at State League level.

After trailing by 28 points midway through the second term, the home side closed to within eight points at the final change and looked poised to run over the top of the undermanned Crows.

But three back-to-back goals to ruckman Luke Lowden silenced the local crowd and put the final result beyond doubt.

It was Adelaide’s most complete SANFL performance of the year, with the Crows dominating clearances (39-27), inside 50ms (57-44) and tackles (56-38) in the fast-paced contest.

Adelaide’s pressure at the ball-carrier was a common feature across all four quarters, while the Crows moved the ball swiftly in transition for several coast-to-coast goals.

Tough midfielder Jarryd Lyons stepped up in the absence of Crouch, gathering a team-high 29 possessions, 11 clearances and eight tackles in what was another outstanding individual display at SANFL level.

Brodie Martin produced his most impressive performance of the year. The 26-year-old collected 24 disposals and seven marks as Adelaide’s main avenue in transition from defence to attack.

Left-footer Rory Atkins continued his strong form after a delayed start to his 2015 campaign. The speedy wingman had 22 possessions, five marks and kicked a terrific long-range goal in the second term.

Development player Luke Carey once again quelled the influence of Port Adelaide’s John Butcher, while Riley Knight (18 posessions, six inside 50ms, one goal) and Sam Shaw (13 possessions, five marks) were also important.

Jake Lever got through his first game in almost a month after returning from an ankle injury. The teen defender had 15 possessions and seven marks, including two from opposition kicks.

Ricky Henderson was creative and clean across half-back. He had 19 disposals at 89 per cent efficiency along with eight marks, six inside 50ms and a goal.

SANFL Stats: Round 11

Three first-half goals to James Podsiadly helped set up the victory. The Geelong premiership player was the most dominant aerial player all afternoon, finishing with 17 possessions and seven marks including three contested grabs.

After falling to the Magpies by an average of 44 points in the first three SANFL Showdowns, coach Heath Younie said Sunday’s result proved how far his side had come.

“It’s a real reward for effort for our players,” he said.

“I thought they were terrific. They were a comrade down early, but they showed great spirit.

“Last year, they were far too good for us. But there were some real positive signs (in Balaklava this year). That was as well as we’ve played against them.

“In the end, it’s great to win the game of footy and great to beat Port Adelaide. We have a great respect for them as a team and I’ve got great respect for Garry (Hocking) as a coach.”

Younie has longed for consistency from his fledgling team all season, and admitted there were some anxious moments in the coaches box when the Magpies made their charge in the third stanza.

“We knew they were going to come after half-time,” he said.

“There was a period of time there where (we) got a little bit nervous, but credit to our players, they withstood that and were able to steady the ship.

“It was a terrific team effort I thought.”

Adelaide’s next SANFL clash is against South Adelaide at Noarlunga on Saturday, July 4 at 2.10pm.

 

 

 

ADELAIDE              3.1   8.3   10.4   13.11 (89)
PORT ADELAIDE    2.4   4.7   8.8   10.9 (69)

GOALS
Adelaide: Lowden 3, Podsiadly 3, Wilson 2, Knight, Osborn, Atkins, Henderson, Callinan
Port Adelaide: Harvey 2, Summerton 2, Young, Palmer, Butcher, Redden, Stewart

BEST
Adelaide: Lyons, Martin, Carey, Atkins, Knight, Shaw, Osborn
Port Adelaide: Summerton, Logan, Stewart, Clurey, O’Shea, Gray

INJURIES
Adelaide: Crouch (foot soreness)
Port Adelaide: Nil