Adelaide’s SANFL side has produced a second-straight win over a top-five opponen, as it defeated Central District by 36 points at Elizabeth Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Adelaide booted seven of the first eight goals to put themselves in a strong position early, and was able to maintain the scoreboard pressure throughout the game to win 11.9 (75) vs 5.9 (39).
Here are the five key takeaways from the match:
Jones impacts
Midfielder Chayce Jones helped get Adelaide off to a strong start, getting his hands on plenty of the ball early.
Jones used his strong running ability to impact multiple contests, linking up with his teammates and providing support.
“He was one that rocked up with a great mindset, they put a bit of work into him,” SANFL Assistant Coach Matthew Wright said.
“I thought he was able to impact the game and pulled them apart at times, it was pleasing for him to have a good game.”
Jones finished with 18 disposals, six marks, six tackles, three clearances, four inside 50s and kicked one major.
Thilthorpe takes positive steps forward
In his second game back, forward Riley Thilthorpe had strong performance, with his presence up forward noticeable.
Thilthorpe showed his ability to impact higher up the ground, attending more ruck contests and giving Adelaide a different look.
“The aim this week was to play normal game time, play him around the footy and a bit more in the ruck which he was able to do,” Wright said.
“He gave us a point of difference in the ruck, and along with Strachan formed a nice one-two punch.”
Thilthorpe finished with eight touches, three marks, four tackles, 12 hitouts and kicked two goals.
McHenry’s team-first game
Forward Ned McHenry gave Adelaide plenty of energy up forward against the Bulldogs, with his pressure and leadership two qualities that stood out.
Playing as a half forward McHenry positioned himself well throughout the afternoon, able to get multiple opportunities in front of goal.
“For me, yes he gets the reward ball in hand and the possessions but he was also another leader out there today, setting up the other forwards ahead of the ball,” Wright said.
“His pressure has gone to another level which I know he has been working on, so for him to get some reward was nice.”
McHenry finished with 21 disposals, six marks, six inside 50s and booted two goals.
Strachan connects with midfielders
Ruckman Kieran Strachan continued his strong form, dominating his opponent both in the hitouts and around the ground.
Strachan worked well with Adelaide’s midfielders, having good connection throughout the afternoon to result in Adelaide winning the clearance battle 35 to 31.
“He is connecting well with our mids, it's always tough on him because he can be so dominant that the opposition just look to read off of him,” Wright said.
“Also his aerial is back to a really good level where it has been previously, he is impacting in the air, at stoppage, he has multiple attributes.”
Strachan finished with 18 disposals, six marks, 33 hitouts and five clearances.
Bond shutdown job
Defender Hugh Bond played an important shutdown role on Central forward Aiden Grace, keeping him to just five touches and no goals.
Bond worked well with his fellow defenders to limit the impact of Central’s forward entries, while rebounding well out of the backline.
“Bondy has been doing a huge job on the opposition's best forward for a long time this year and we know how dangerous Grace is,” Wright said.
“He continues to build his game and put their best player away and to his credit I thought he got the points today.”
Bond finished with 16 disposals, two clearances and seven rebound 50s.
Adelaide’s SANFL team’s next game will be against Norwood at Norwood Oval on Saturday with the first bounce at 1:10pm.
SCOREBOARD
ADELAIDE: 4.3 7.6 11.6 11.9 (75)
CENTRAL: 1.1 2.2 4.5 5.9 (39)
GOALS:
Adelaide: Thilthorpe, McHenry, Gollant 2, Jones, H.Boyle, T.Murray, Welsh, O’Leary
Central: Grant, Lange, Gasper, Dudley, Larkins
BEST:
McHenry, Madgen, Bond, Gollant, Ryan, Strachan
