A wayward Adelaide has blown an opportunity to solidify a spot in the top five on the SANFL ladder, succumbing to Glenelg by 41 points at Gliderol Stadium.

The SANFL Crows kicked the first two goals of the game and led by nine points at quarter-time after a promising start in perfect conditions at the Bay.

Jordan Gallucci marked his return to action by slotting the first goal in the opening minutes of the match before setting up Riley Knight for another major just moments later.

But the Tigers clawed their way back into the contest, holding Adelaide goalless in the second term to claim the lead off the back of five unanswered majors through the second and third quarters.

Adelaide had its chances to wrestle back momentum, finishing the game with a clear advantage in inside 50ms (53-39), but continually squandered opportunities up forward.

The visitors only managed 3.7 after quarter-time compared to an efficient 12.3 from Glenelg.

It was the Club’s worst loss to the Tigers since entering the SANFL in 2014.

SANFL stats: Round Eight v Glenelg

Scott Thompson carried a heavy load for the Crows in the midfield and finished as his team’s highest possession-winner with 23 disposals and 18 contested possessions. The 34-year-old also won seven clearances and laid six tackles but had little support at the coalface.

Knight showed his class and toughness and was particularly impressive in the first half. He laid an equal-match high 11 tackles and had a hand in several Crows scores.

Dependable duo Reilly O’Brien (37 hit-outs, 13 disposals) and Harrison Wigg (18 disposals, six rebound 50ms) competed hard but were still below their usual impact.

Ultimately, the Crows simply had too few contributors across all lines.

The uncontested possession differential (102-214) told the tale of Adelaide’s disappointing display.

“I think we took a little step back today, that’s what you’re going to get with a young team and young players but that's no excuse. We couldn’t get our hands on the ball," Crows SANFL coach Ryan O'Keefe conceded post-match.

"The comp is too even to be able to take your foot off slightly. You've got to keep going forward and keep putting your foot down. You can't relax.

"We'll go back to the drawing board, prepare well and get ready for Norwood next week."

The result relegates Adelaide to seventh spot on the SANFL table with a 4-4 record after eight rounds.

The SANFL Crows confront Norwood in a twilight fixture at Coopers Stadium next Saturday, June 10.


ADELAIDE   3.4   3.5   4.8  6.11 (47)
GLENELG   2.1   6.3   8.3   14.4 (88)

GOALS
Adelaide: Gallucci, Knight, Poholke, Knight, O’Brien, Gore
Glenelg: T Milera 2, Barry 2, I Milera 2, Slade 2, Scott 2, Bradley, Chalmers, Snook, McBean

BEST
Adelaide: Thompson, O’Brien, Wigg, Murphy, Knight, Hunter
Glenelg: Barry, Scharenberg, McGinty, Sawford, McFarlane, Agnew

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Glenelg: Nil