Adelaide’s win at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon was its ninth straight over Gold Coast – the longest winning streak against any opponent in the Club’s history.
The 75-point victory over the injury-hit Suns saw Adelaide hang onto eighth spot on the AFL ladder.
Captain Taylor Walker kicked a season-high five goals against Gold Coast. Walker was involved in a total of 17 scores – more than any other player on the ground.
Emerging Crows Wayne Milera Junior and Mitch McGovern kicked a personal best three goals.
Adelaide had 13 different goalkickers on its way to kicking the Club’s biggest score of the season, 22.17 (149). The Crows topped the League for inside 50ms (71) in Round Nine.
Damaging defender Brodie Smith ranked No.1 in the AFL for inside 50ms (10) on the weekend. Smith also had 16 handball receives – ranked second overall in Round Nine. He gained more metres (718) than any other player with the exception of in-form Giants half-back Heath Shaw, who gained an incredible 1,094 metres.
Midfielder Jarryd Lyons had an impact in his return to the side. Lyons collected 20 possessions at 90 per cent efficiency to go with seven inside 50ms. He laid six tackles and kicked a goal, while assisting in three others.
Charlie Cameron laid a game-high eight tackles on the Gold Coast, while Scott Thompson won more clearances (seven) than any other Crow.
Richard Douglas applied a team-high 20 pressure acts.
Full back Daniel Talia racked up a season-high 23 disposals against the Suns. Talia’s possession tally was just one short of his best-ever effort – 24 possessions against Collingwood in Round Two, 2015. Talia also hauled in nine marks and kicked just his sixth career goal.
Crow Tom Lynch had a game-high 10 marks to go with 22 possessions, four inside 50ms and two goals.
For the second straight week, Rory Sloane topped Adelaide’s possession count. Sloane had 27 disposals and five inside 50ms. He also laid seven tackles.
Ruckman Sam Jacobs won 14 hit-outs to advantage on Saturday behind only Todd Goldstein (16) and Nic Naitanui (15) for the round. Jacobs helped the Crows get on top of a depleted Gold Coast midfield. Adelaide won the clearances 40 – 31, including 21 to 11 centre clearances.
Adelaide’s forward line pressure was a highlight. The Crows applied 16 forward 50m tackles to Gold Coast’s six.
Match statistics
Disposals
Adelaide – 395
Gold Coast – 368
Disposal Efficiency
Adelaide – 78 per cent
Gold Coast – 73 per cent
Kicks
Adelaide – 224
Gold Coast – 189
Handballs
Adelaide – 171
Gold Coast – 179
Clearances
Adelaide – 40
Gold Coast – 31
Inside 50ms
Adelaide – 71
Gold Coast – 35
Contested Possessions
Adelaide – 127
Gold Coast – 136
Uncontested Possessions
Adelaide – 267
Gold Coast – 234
Turnovers
Adelaide – 57
Gold Coast – 65
Tackles
Adelaide – 65
Gold Coast – 60
Hit-outs
Adelaide – 36
Gold Coast – 42
