Adelaide has progressed to the semi-finals of the Wizard Home Loans Cup after a hard-fought 26-point win over an undermanned but gallant West Coast at Darwin’s Marrara Oval.
The Crows worked to a 20-point lead by half-time, and with a productive forward line looked likely to run over the young Eagles team. But when Michael Gardiner bombed a nine-point goal at the 22 minute-mark of a furious third term, West Coast drew to within 10 points.
After kicking four straight behinds, the West Australian team managed just a single goal in the final term however, as Adelaide sealed the victory with a further five goals.
The teams were permitted to use an eight-man bench in the extreme humidity and 30 degree-heat. Adelaide chose to use six men on the interchange, while West Coast took full advantage of the rule modification.
The two sides also made use of special air conditioned boxes where players used ice-vests and stood in front of fans during the breaks and when interchanged. Even the umpires were rotated.
The Eagles were missing eleven senior players including Glen Jakovich, the Matera brothers, David Wirrpunda, Ashley McIntosh and Drew Banfield, but lifted their intensity and general attack on the ball remarkably in the third quarter.
The inexperienced Ashley Sampi, Jeremy Humm, Kane Munro and debutants Brent Staker and Adam Selwood helped carry the team while Gardiner, Chris Judd and Daniel Kerr were well restricted in the midfield during the first half.
Adelaide’s Robert Shirley played a tremendous shut-down game on West Coast skipper and prolific ball-winner Ben Cousins, and managed 14 disposals himself.
But it was the depth of Adelaide’s forward line that set-up its victory. Playing in the midfield and pushing forward, Simon Goodwin had an excellent opening term, kicking two majors. Ian Perrie kicked two in the second term and finished with four, former Cat Ronnie Burns was excellent with three, while Mark Stevens, James Gallagher and Tyson Edwards played good support roles.
Playing in his hometown, Burns kicked two goals in second quarter and showed encouraging application – smothering a ball like a desperate defender during the tense third quarter.
Adelaide skipper Mark Bickley made a surprise early comeback after breaking his left leg in the International Rules series in Ireland last year. Bickley made a few rusty disposals early, but got through unscathed with eight touches.
The Crows face the winner of Saturday night’s clash between the Kangaroos and Melbourne, while West Coast will join the eliminated teams on the practice match circuit, also known as the Wizard Regional Challenge Series. They will most likely host the loser between Collingwood and Hawthorn.
West Coast Eagles: 0.5.1, 0.6.3, 1.9.7, 1.10.11 (80)
Adelaide: 0.4.1, 0.9.4, 0.12.4, 0.17.4 (106)
Nine-point goals: West Coast Eagles: Gardiner. Adelaide: Nil
Six-point goals: West Coast Eagles: Jones, Embley 2, Sierakowski, Selwood, Wilson, Sampi, Judd, Staker. Adelaide: Perrie 4, Burns 3, Goodwin, Edwards, Gallagher 2, Stevens, Johncock, Burton, Reilly.
Best: West Coast Eagles: Cousins, Embley, Sampi, Gardiner, Jones, Judd, Fletcher. Adelaide: Goodwin, Perrie, Shirley, Smart, McLeod, Reilly, Burns.
Umpires: TBA
Crowd: TBA
Injuries: West Coast Eagles: TBA Adelaide: Nil
Reports: TBA
At Marrara Oval, Darwin.
