Round One v Essendon, Etihad Stadium
A
The Bombers were too strong as they turned a 20-point deficit into a two-goal win at Etihad Stadium.
Both sides combined for nine goals in the first half before Adelaide claimed control with seven majors in the third term.
The explosive quarter had the Crows up by a game-high 20 points before Essendon bounced back and kicked six of the last seven goals.
Matt Crouch (41 disposals), Rory Laird (40) and new recruit Bryce Gibbs (35 and two goals) all started with a bang, Gibbs seamlessly slotting into the midfield.
Josh Jenkins (two goals) was the main target up forward in the absence of Taylor Walker and Tom Lynch.
In their AFL debuts, Darcy Fogarty (two goals) Lachlan Murphy (one) hit the scoreboard, and defender Tom Doedee (21 disposals, seven marks) looked right at home at senior level.
ESSENDON 4.2 5.8 8.10 14.15 (99)
ADELAIDE 3.5 4.9 11.12 12.15 (87)
GOALS: Jenkins 2, Gibbs 2, Fogarty 2, Hampton, McGovern, Murphy, Douglas, Greenwood, Ellis-
BEST: Laird, Gibbs, Crouch, Sloane, Doedee, Seedsman
NEXT: Season review: Hugh Greenwood
Round Two v Richmond, Adelaide Oval
Lachlan Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Darcy Fogarty
An undermanned Adelaide side gained some Grand Final revenge in a gutsy win over the 2017 premiers in front of Adelaide Oval’s 49,743 strong Thursday night crowd.
Taylor Walker (four goals) and Josh Jenkins (five) made up for their quiet performances in the Grand Final in the fast-paced shootout.
The Crows had an answer for every challenge Richmond threw their way, building a two-point lead at
Adelaide led the inside 50
The Crows’ leaders stepped up when Richmond closed the gap late in the game as
Challenged by a hamstring injury to Matt Crouch in the second quarter and a concussion to David Mackay in the third, Adelaide’s depth was put to the test.
Led by Rory Laird (42 disposals), a dozen players had 20+ disposals including Jake Kelly (28), Cam Ellis-
ADELAIDE 4.4 11.4 14.7 18.10 (118)
RICHMOND 4.2 9.4 10.9 12.10 (82)
GOALS: Jenkins 5, Walker 4, Sloane 2, Murphy 2, Fogarty 2, Gibbs, Ellis-
BEST
NEXT: Season review: Riley Knight
Round Three v St Kilda, Etihad Stadium
Eddie Betts congratulates Josh Jenkins after one of his three goals
For the opening two and a half quarters, St Kilda could not be faulted for their endeavor against Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.
But the Crows blew them away in a six-goals-to-one third term, turning the tables in the clinches, using the ball more cleanly and getting it to their tall forwards.
Eddie Betts finally hit the scoreboard after a barren opening fortnight to the season and finished with three goals for the night.
With Walker (three goals), Mitch McGovern (two) and Josh Jenkins also hitting the scoreboard, it ended up a pleasing enough night for the Crows.
Adelaide once again received excellent service from midfielder Bryce Gibbs, who finished with 26 possessions and eight clearances.
Rory Laird (32) and Paul Seedsman (26) also provided plenty of drive off half-back, while Sam Jacobs eventually got right on top in the ruck.
ST KILDA 2.6 3.9 4.12 7.13 (55)
ADELAIDE 3.2 5.7 11.10 15.14 (104)
GOALS: Betts 3, Walker 3, Seedsman 2, McGovern 2, Atkins 2, Douglas, Jenkins, Gibbs
BEST
NEXT: Season review: Josh Jenkins
Round Four v Collingwood, Adelaide Oval
Darcy Fogarty clashes with Collingwood's Adam Treloar
Collingwood claimed its first win over Adelaide since 2013 with a clinical performance in the wet in Adelaide.
The Magpies entered the clash winless from five attempts at Adelaide Oval but they played the ground like it was home soil.
Risky football by Adelaide failed to pay off and turnovers proved costly in high-pressure situations. Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane were kept quiet by their opponents.
Rory Laird (37 disposals) attempted to steady the ship across half-back and Paul Seedsman (29 and one
Brodie Grundy dominated the ruck against Sam Jacobs and Adelaide was outmuscled at the stoppages.
The Crows conjured up momentum late in the third term with a run of four straight goals to bring the margin down to 30 points, before Collingwood kicked four in response to seal the win.
ADELAIDE 1.1 3.2 6.3 9.4 (58)
COLLINGWOOD 5.2 8.5 11.9 16.10 (106)
GOALS: McGovern 2, Walker 2, Gibbs 2, Ellis-
BEST
