Adelaide put together a solid four quarter display to comfortably defeat Central District by 68 points at Nuriootpa Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Battling a strong breeze early the Crows were able to execute, running out 15.14 (104) versus 5.6 (36) winners.
Here at the five key takeaways.
Adelaide makes the most of breeze
Adelaide kicked into a strong breeze in the first quarter which made it hard for it to capitalise on its chances in front of goals.
Despite this the Crows persevered and were able to have five shots on goal from its 10 entries and hold an 11-point advantage at the first break.
Kicking with the wind in the second quarter the Crows made sure to make the most of it, booting five goals while ensuring Central District did not get many opportunities, allowing one goal from seven inside 50s.
“One of the most pleasing things was their attitude into that first quarter, the breeze was really tricky, and we executed not only through effort but system,” SANFL Senior Coach Michael Godden said.
“We learnt a lot from that with the way the wind was working for the second quarter, so it was a bit of a bonus that we got to kick into it early.”
Strachan’s big day
Ruckman Kieran Strachan was impactful throughout the afternoon for the Crows with his work around the ground a highlight.
When Adelaide was defending Strachan was a brick wall, with his ability to incercept and put a stop to the Bulldogs’ forward movement.
“I thought he was good all over the ground and he just gave our boys first look,” Godden said.
“He adapted to the conditions really well and especially in that first half his intercept marking was really strong.”
Strachan finished with 16 disposals, seven marks (three contested) 40 hitouts and four rebound 50s.
Newchurch and McAdam provide spark
Forwards Tariek Newchurch and Shane McAdam enjoyed strong performances, both damaging with ball in hand when in Adelaide’s forward half.
Celebrating his 50th SANFL game for the Crows, Newchurch was able to get his teammates involved early along while kicking two goals himself.
McAdam provided plenty of X-Factor, proving a handful for the Central defenders, leading the game in scoring with three goals along with seven tackles.
“Tariek got a couple away early which was really good,” Godden said.
“I thought Shane’s consistency over four quarters was the best it has been, he not only competed in the air, but he got up the ground to help in defense as well.”
Berry’s forward impact
Midfielder Sam Berry showed his ability to go forward and impact the game, with his strength and willingness to win ground balls in Adelaide’s forward half an asset.
Berry was at his trademark contested best when he had his opportunity on-ball collecting a game-high 31 disposals.
“He has had the opportunity to play a bit more forward in the SANFL and has been really impacting strongly,” Godden said.
“His leg drive and power out of the contest had been strong but today he just had that bit more polish.”
Berry also kicked one goal, had seven inside 50s and laid three tackles.
Hately’s contested dominance
On-baller Jackson Hately continued his dominant SANFL form, with his clearance work and defensive pressure on display.
Hately set the tone early, rarely being beaten in the contest, laying a game-high 12 tackles along with 10 clearances.
“I thought Jacko was really good today, 10 clearances and a bunch of tackles as well was a pleasing result,” Godden said.
“I thought that whole midfield group of Sam Berry, Tyler Brown, Matt Crouch and Hately held up really well for us.”
Hately capped off a strong performance with 23 disposals, six inside 50’s and two shots on goal.
Adelaide’s next SANFL game will be against Glenelg at Glenelg Oval on Saturday afternoon with the first bounce at 1:10pm.
ADELAIDE: 3.2 8.6 11.9 15.14 (104)
CENTRAL: 1.3 2.3 3.5 5.6 (36)
GOALS
Adelaide: McAdam 3, Newchurch, Gollant 2, Berry, Cook, Brown, Strachan, Sharrad, Tahana, Nankervis, Hamill
Central: Olsson 2, Presbury, Barreau, Lange
BEST:
Strachan, Berry, McAdam, Hately, Keane
