Adelaide’s SANFL side narrowly fell to South Adelaide by seven points at Noarlunga Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Despite a late fight back, the Panthers were able to hold strong to triumph 8.14 (62) to 8.7 (55).
Here are the five key takeaways from the match.
Murray continues to progress
Defender Nick Murray put in another solid performance in his second game back for the year, showing his strength in one-on-one contests.
Murray made his presence felt aerially, taking multiple intercept marks throughout the afternoon, leaving SANFL Senior Coach Michael Godden pleased with his comeback from an ACL.
“He was really strong in the air, used the ball pretty well, so he is now two games in and is looking really strong,” Godden said.
“He is coming back from a long-term injury and coming along very nicely.”
Murray finished with 22 disposals, nine marks, four tackles and nine rebound-50s.
Pedlar spends full game on ball
Luke Pedlar played the whole game against South Adelaide on ball and had a solid impact, with his clearances and inside 50 entries.
Pedlar was strong around the contest winning a team-high 26 touches, he was explosive out of stoppages and broke tackles.
“Peds played on ball today, he hasn’t play full time on ball before, so today I thought was a really good step up for him,” Godden said.
“For him to play every quarter on ball was good.”
Pedlar capped a solid game by also amassing nine clearances, nine inside-50s and five marks.
O’Brien gives mids first use
Ruckman Reilly O’Brien gave Adelaide’s midfielders first-use all afternoon with his tap-work helping the Crows win the clearance battle 41-22.
O’Brien worked around the ground well and supported the midfielders.
“Reilly I thought today competed well, obviously he is a leader of our footy club and he showed good leadership,” Godden said.
“He showed some of the things the Senior Coach is looking for, so we are happy with his attitude.”
O’Brien recorded 20 disposals, three marks, 32 hit-outs and four clearances.
Taylor shows promising signs
On-baller Zac Taylor backed up a strong month of State League action with another impressive performance against the Panthers.
Taylor made his impact felt on the scoreboard, opening Adelaide’s scoring account after streaming through the corridor to bomb one home from outside 50.
“Zac is coming along really nicely, he is playing a little bit of forward and mid, and today I thought he was very clean over the footy,” Godden said.
“He is learning AFL traits and every week he shows those traits more and more, so we are pleased with his development.”
Edwards impacts up forward
First-year player Charlie Edwards showed positive signs against South Adelaide, spending time through the middle and up forward.
Edwards booted two goals to go along with 13 disposals, five marks, four tackles, three clearances and four inside-50s.
"Charlie is a mid who hits the scoreboard,” Godden said.
“He’s still learning, he’s got a fair bit to learn around the footy, but this is his first year and he shows enough to be excited about."
Adelaide’s SANFL side plays Woodville-West Torrens at Adelaide Oval next Saturday, June 15, at 3:10pm.
The game will serve as a curtain raiser to the Club's AFL side’s clash against Sydney at 7pm.
SCOREBOARD
ADELAIDE: 3.1 4.1 5.3 8.7 (55)
SOUTH ADELAIDE: 2.4 4.7 7.12 8.14 (62)
GOALS
Adelaide: T.Murray, Edwards 2, Taylor, Gollant, Haysman, Burton.
South Adelaide: Hindes, Wheaton, Freitag 2, Pilmore, Emile-Brennan.
BEST
Adelaide: Bond, N.Murray, Pedlar, Taylor, McHenry, O’Brien.
