Adelaide put together a strong, four-quarter performance to defeat South Adelaide by 84-points at Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The Crows applied the pressure, forcing repeat entries into their forward half and won the inside-50 battle 63-38, to triumph 19.20 (134) to 7.8 (50).

Here are the five key takeaways.

Four-quarter performance

Adelaide took control of the game in the second quarter, kicking five majors, while keeping South Adelaide goalless.

The Crows only strengthened their lead in the second half, having 23 scoring shots which included an eight-goal final quarter.

“The first quarter we didn’t get the scoreboard ascendancy but the way that we played was what I was most pleased with,” SANFL Senior Coach Michael Godden told AFC Media.

“That’s what always makes a coach happy, when the method is there, and the method was there for four quarters today.

“Even when we got on top towards the latter end of the game, I didn’t see anything that was selfish, I saw a brand of footy that we could be proud of.”

Midfielders hit the scoreboard

Midfielders Sam Berry and Jackson Hately put together solid performances against South Adelaide, winning plenty of the ball, along with applying tackling pressure.

While they were dominant in the middle, it was their ability to hit the scoreboard which most impressed Godden.

“The fact that they hit the scoreboard is something you always want your midfielders to do but they did it with good method,” Godden said.

“They didn’t just run forward of the play, they did it by getting back, helping the team and then getting on the end from good hard work rates.

“Billy Dowling (28 disposals, eight marks), Bez,(Sam Berry) Jackson (Hately) and Tyler Brown (28 disposals, nine clearances) all in that midfield mix were really good today.”

Berry kicked 1.3, while amassing 27 disposals, nine tackles and seven clearances.

Hately finished the game with 31 touches, eight inside 50s and booted three goals.

McHenry showcases work rate

Forward Ned McHenry’s work rate was on full display against the Panther and the 22-year-old’s running ability proved to be an asset for Adelaide in its forward half.

McHenry did not shy away from the contest, winning multiple one-on-ones as well as having an impact on the scoreboard with three goals.

“Today he started were he left off with us a few weeks ago, prior to going up to the AFL,” Godden said.

“His work rate is second to none and we know that.

“He had 14 score involvements, which is great for a small forward.”

McHenry capped a strong performance with 22 disposals, nine marks – two contested – and two clearances.

Borlase beats opponent

Defender James Borlase had a big influence on the game and halted South Adelaide forward Zac Sproule’s impact on the contest.

Borlase forced Sproule to work further up the ground to win the ball, limiting his touches inside 50 with big spoils and marks.

“He’s consistently been working on his game and he’s been really strong for us over an extended period of time,” Godden said

“Today I thought he got the better of him (Sproule) in the end.”

“His start was a little bit shaky but I thought once he really knuckled down after quarter-time his last three-quarters were really good.”

Worrell impresses in return

Defender Josh Worrell had an immediate impact in his first competitive game of the season, competing well in the air to limit South Adelaide’s forward entries.

Worrell’s ability to intercept mark and spoil was a highlight of his game and Godden was happy with how quickly he was able to make his presence felt.

“It’s great to have Josh back, he’s an integral part of our footy club,” Godden said.

“He has played AFL and obviously has a lot more AFL left in him, so today to get back as quickly as he has in terms of the way he played was really pleasing.”

Worrell finished with 17 disposals, seven marks and three inside 50s.

The game served as a curtain raiser to the AFL team’s clash with Collingwood.

Adelaide’s SANFL team will next face North Adelaide at Prospect Oval on Saturday afternoon, with the first bounce at 2:10pm.

ADELAIDE: 4.4  9.7  11.16  19.20 (134)

SOUTH: 3.2  3.5  5.6  7.8 (50)

GOALS:

Adelaide: Newchurch 4, McHenry, Hately 3, Gollant, Madgen 2, Himmelberg, Berry, Strachan, Dowling, Boyle.

South: Sproule 2, Freitag, Wilkinson, Gunther, D Brown, Brooksby.

Best:

Adelaide: Hately, Berry, McHenry, Brown, Dowling.