David Mackay has made an impressive return from injury in the SANFL on Saturday afternoon despite Adelaide’s 10-point loss to league leaders Sturt at Peter Motley Oval.

After almost a month on the sidelines nursing a hamstring complaint, Mackay showed his trademark dash and skill in an influential 25-possession display. The hard-running wingman also showed strength in close when required with six clearances, five tackles and a goal.

Mackay’s effort wasn’t enough for the SANFL Crows however, who slumped to their third loss from their last four starts.

Adelaide led by two points at both half-time and three quarter-time in an enthralling contest at Unley, but was unable to hold off the fast-finishing Double Blues.

The lead changed hands three times in a pulsating final quarter with the home side kicking on to notch their seventh-straight victory and consolidate top spot on the SANFL table. Former Crow Brodie Martin booted three second-half goals to seal the win.

The result drops Adelaide to fifth place on the SANFL table with a 5-3 record after 10 rounds. The Crows remain two wins clear of Glenelg in sixth spot.

Troy Menzel enjoyed his best return of the season with three goals from 13 possessions and five marks. The former Blue looked dangerous all afternoon with his pace and skill across half-forward and on a wing.

Experienced backman Andy Otten assumed captaincy duties in Luke Carey’s absence and was steadfast in defence. Otten held dangerous tall Kory Beard goalless and won plenty of the ball himself, finishing with 20 disposals, seven marks and six rebound 50ms. Five of Otten’s marks came from opposition kicks.

Nathan van Berlo's efforts across half-back were also important, particularly when Adelaide's defence was under siege in the second stanza. The former Club captain used the ball neatly with 25 disposals at 80 per cent efficiency and also eight marks and four inside 50ms.

Harrison Wigg’s successful transformation into a ball-winning midfielder continued. Returning to the team after serving as the senior emergency for Adelaide’s clash with Gold Coast, the 19-year-old amassed a career-best 27 disposals in another fine performance.

Fellow onballer Brad Crouch topped Adelaide’s possession count for the second SANFL game in a row with 29 possessions, including a team-high eight clearances and seven tackles.

SANFL Stats: Round 10 v Sturt

Both teams were fumbly in a scrappy opening term despite beautiful conditions at Peter Motley Oval.

Mitch Grigg and Mackay combined to win a big 50-50 contest ball on the grandstand wing to set up Menzel up forward and help Adelaide open up a 12-point lead in the early stages. But two late Sturt goals closed the gap to just four points in the shadows of quarter-time.

Sturt then dominated proceedings in the second term, recording a 16-6 advantage in inside 50ms, but was unable to make the most of its opportunities up forward with just one goal to show for the quarter.

Menzel again showed great opportunism to slot his second goal out of a stoppage against the flow of play and keep Adelaide ahead at the main break.

Play ebbed and flowed after half-time. Hugh Greenwood showed his class with an incredible toepoke goal off the deck to give the visitors a nine-point buffer early in the final term.

But Adelaide allowed former Crow Martin too much space at crucial times with his three second-half goals ultimately putting the result beyond doubt.

The Club reported no new injuries from Saturday’s clash at Peter Motley Oval.

Adelaide’s next SANFL game is against Norwood at Coopers Stadium on Sunday, June 12.

 



ADELAIDE   3.1   4.1   7.3   9.6 (60)
STURT          2.3   3.5   6.7   10.10 (70)

GOALS
Adelaide: Menzel 3, Lowden 2, Mackay, Beech, Dear, Greenwood
Sturt: Hansen 3, Martin 3, M. Evans 2, Kirkwood, Voigt

BEST
Adelaide: Otten, van Berlo, Mackay, Menzel, Wigg, B Crouch
Sturt: Riley, Crocker, F Evans, Martin, Osborn, Hansen

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Sturt: Nil