Adelaide fought its way back against a gallant West Adelaide to win by 33-points at Richmond Oval on Friday afternoon.
The Crows trailed for much of the contest, before kicking seven of the final 10 goals of the game, prevailing 13.15 (93) to 9.6 (60).
Here are the five key takeaways.
Third-term fightback
Adelaide trailed for the first two and a half quarters, but mounted a response in the final 10 minutes of the third term.
The Crows found themselves eight points down but switched the momentum and booted the final four majors of the quarter to take a 19-point advantage into the final break.
Adelaide kept the scoreboard ticking over to start the fourth quarter, kicking three goals in the first five minutes.
Crows SANFL Senior Coach Michael Godden was pleased with his side’s response.
“To our boys credit I was really impressed with the way that we responded," Godden told AFC Media.
We couldn’t get it on our terms and then obviously we did in the end.
“One of the strengths of this team in the last two years has been our ability to score and we can score quickly.”
Crouch leaves mark
Adelaide midfielder Matt Crouch led from the front, doing all he could to influence the game and get the ball into the Crows' forward 50.
Crouch continued to impress as the game went on, amassing a game-high 37 disposals and seven clearances.
“When you have a player of his capability in your side it’s always very handy,” Godden said.
“(He’s a) consistent performer at this level, strong body and he was really powerful through the contest today.”
Crouch finished the game with nine tackles, nine marks and six inside 50s.
Strachan dominates ruck battle
Ruckman Kieran Strachan was dominant, helping Adelaide win the hit-out battle 52 to 11, amassing 47 himself.
Strachan competed hard all day, with his tap work giving Adelaide first use at stoppages and that was highlighted by the Crows winning clearances 36 to 21.
“He is one of the premier ruckmen in the competition, there is no doubt that he is a consistent performer,” Godden said.
“He played a lot of ruck time today, he basically played 100 per cent game time so it was a big effort from him.”
Strachan also had 22 disposals, six marks – four contested – and five clearances.
Midfielders get big numbers
Adelaide’s midfield group of Jackson Hately, Tyler Brown and Zac Taylor all had impressive performances, leaving their mark on the contest.
Hately was rewarded for his hard work with a late goal after a 36 possession, eight mark and six tackle performance.
Brown showed composure with ball in hand finishing with 29 touches and five clearances, while Taylor battled hard to kick a goal along with nine clearances.
“Those guys got on top in the second half and turned the game,” Godden said.
“It was a reasonably consistent effort across the board, I know those guys had big numbers, but I thought in all areas of the field we were balanced in the end.”
Hamill and Keane’s goal saving tackles
Defenders Will Hamill and Mark Keane displayed their fight and desire to get Adelaide back into the game, both having goal saving tackles.
During the first quarter Hamill sprinted back to chase down his West Adelaide opponent, who was streaming into an open forward 50.
In the third term, Keane worked hard to apply the pressure, getting back to lay a big tackle in the goal square.
“Chase down tackles are the most exciting thing,” Godden said.
“For a coach we just love those things, it shows a never give up attitude and they can be game changes.”
There will be no SANFL action next week, with a league wide bye due to the AFL Gather Round.
Adelaide’s SANFL side will return to action the following week against Central District at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday of April 22, at 1:10pm.
ADELAIDE: 1.3 3.7 8.12 13.15 (93)
WESTIES: 3.2 5.3 6.5 9.6 (60)
GOALS:
Adelaide: Madgen, Newchurch, Clamp, Wright 2, McKenzie, Boyle, Templeton, Hately, Taylor
West Adelaide: Beech, Delahunty 3, Ryan, Stevens, Johnson
BEST:
Nankervis, Crouch, Hately, Brown, Clamp, Strachan