Adelaide claimed the Neil Kerley Memorial Trophy for the second straight year after a clinical 68-point win over West Adelaide on Sunday.
After a tight first half, the Crows broke the game open in the second half, booting 12 unanswered goals to record a critical 17.9 (111) to 6.7 (43) triumph.
Here are the five takeaways.
Gollant’s day out
Forward Lachie Gollant was the star for Adelaide in his 50th SANFL game, winning the Neil Kerley Medal with a dominant eight-goal haul.
The 22-year-old stood tall when the game was tight in the first half, booting the Crows’ first four goals to keep them in touch with the fast starting Bloods.
He then continued his dominance when Adelaide got the game on its terms, kicking four second half majors to solidify his big day out.
SANFL Coach Mick Godden spoke glowingly of Gollant’s performance.
“It’s a great reward for the hard work Lachie has put in,” Godden said.
“To kick eight goals straight, it was just a dominant performance, and as a coach it’s a joy to watch when a forward is playing like that.
“We couldn’t be more pleased for Lachie.”
Gollant finished with eight goals, 14 disposals and four marks.
Young guns step up
The development of first-year Crows Charlie Edwards and Oscar Ryan was on full display, as the pair shone against the Bloods on Sunday.
Edwards led the way through the midfield, recording a game-high 31 disposals, nine clearances, six marks and one goal.
Ryan provided his customary drive off half-back, collecting 22 disposals (including 18 kicks) and nine marks, while also kicking his first goal at SANFL level.
Godden said it was pleasing to see the continued growth of the pair.
“Really happy with Charlie, he’s come in and had to learn a lot about being an AFL footballer and the craft that’s involved,” Godden said.
“He’s just been building through this back end of the year, and today was just a culmination of a lot of hard work, so I’m really proud of him.
“While Oscar continued his solid form with another great performance, he’s provided such great drive for us all year and keeps getting better.
“To see him push forward and kick his first goal for the Club as well, it was great to see.”
Borlase solid down back
James Borlase was a dominant force down back for the Crows, taking a game-high seven contested marks.
The 22-year-old showed himself to be a class above throughout the day, defending strongly while also providing plenty of attacking drive from the Crows’ backline.
“James Borlase did an exceptional job down back,” Godden said.
“He’s learnt how to dominate games as a key back, and he’s doing that weekly now which is very pleasing.
“At both levels he has been really consistent for us this year, every time he has come back to the SANFL he has shown a great attitude, and that was on show today.”
Borlase recorded 16 disposals, 11 marks and three tackles.
Crows keep Bloods goalless after half-time
Adelaide broke the game open after half-time, booting 12 unanswered goals to record a critical percentage boosting victory.
The Crows were locked in a tight contest with a determined West Adelaide outfit for the first half, as the Bloods took a narrow three-point lead into the main break.
Adelaide then took its game to a new level in the third term, getting on top around the clearances, and making it count on the scoreboard with five straight goals.
Having the game on their terms, the Crows then showed their class in the final quarter, finishing with a seven-goal burst to blow the margin out beyond ten goals.
“I’m proud of the way the boys hung in there, and raised the fight after a very tight opening half,” Godden said.
“To keep Westies goalless after half time was a great achievement, and a testament to the hard work the boys have put in this season.
“The boys showed great pride in their performance in that second half, and to see them run a game out like that is wonderful.”
Crows right in the hunt as finals race heats up
Adelaide finds itself in a tight race for a spot in the SANFL finals with two weeks remaining in the home and away season.
The Crows are now just percentage outside of the top five, having won five of their past six games.
They finish their home and away campaign with matches against bottom side Port Adelaide and second-placed Sturt, in what will be a defining fortnight for their season.
“It’s really important we finish the home and away season off strongly, and that is our sole focus,” Godden said.
“As for what the next month might look like, we don’t know, but what we to do is make sure we carry positive momentum.
“The first half of the season was difficult for a variety of reasons, so it’s taken us a while to find our groove, but over the last six-to-eight weeks we’ve really turned a corner and we’re playing some great footy.”
Adelaide’s SANFL side plays Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval next Saturday, with the first bounce at 3.20pm.
The game is a curtain raiser to the Club’s AFL Showdown against the Power, which kicks off at 7pm.
SCOREBOARD
ADELAIDE: 1.3 5.5 10.6 17.9 (111)
WEST ADELAIDE: 4.0 6.2 6.4 6.7 (43)
GOALS
Adelaide: Gollant 8, Burgess 2, Dowling 2, Jones 2, Edwards, Ryan, Strachan
West Adelaide: Gore 2, Ellem, Laudato, Redfern, Stevems
BEST
Adelaide: Gollant, Smith, Edwards, McHenry, Boyle
