Adelaide’s SANFL side began its season in style, defeating West Adelaide by 95 points at Richmond Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Crows’ experience shone through, kicking the first 13 goals of the game to run out a comprehensive 18.18 (126) vs 4.7 (31) .
Here are SANFL Senior Coach Matthew Wright’s five key takeaways from the match:
Adelaide’s complete brand of footy
The Crows’ team defence and buy-in stood out to the coach, as they applied pressure to minimise the effectiveness of Westies’ forward 50 entries all afternoon..
Adelaide kept the Bloods goalless through the first three quarters, and allowed just six scoring shots, in an effort Wright said showed his team’s willingness to work for each other.
“The mids contest work was elite, when we did go forward if the forwards didn’t win it, they competed and brought the ball to ground and kept it in our half – we had 70% time in our front half which is a huge number,” he said.
“To do it for four quarters is something nearly unheard of in the modern game and I’m really proud of their efforts.
“Really pleasing with the group’s defensive mindset, the challenge now is to back that up next week.”
Nankervis in good nick
Wingman Luke Nankervis played a big part in Adelaide’s victory, with his hard running and silky ball movement an asset.
Nankervis’s ability to spread from the contest and get into dangerous positions was on display, as he snuck forward to kick two majors.
“He’s in really good nick and is one pressing his claim week in and week out,” Wright said.
“I’ve got no doubt when the opportunity does arise, he is going to be ready to roll.”
Nankervis finished with 28 disposals, game-high 11 marks and two tackles.
Smith helps teammates impact
Defender Brodie Smith played a pivotal role in helping set Adelaide up off halfback, with his vision and footy IQ on display.
There were multiple occasions throughout the afternoon where Smith was able to get the ball out of congestion and release a teammate into open space, resulting in an Adelaide inside 50.
“I’m pleased for him, he’s still got plenty to offer at AFL level and he’s controlling what he can control,” Wright said.
“Other players play taller around him, what he does for other defenders, you see Charlie Edwards and Oscar Ryan’s development playing with him.”
Smith finished with 24 disposals, seven marks, three inside 50s and one major.
Murphy adds another string to his bow
Forward Lachlan Murphy showed added another dimension to his game, as he played a key role through the midfield in Adelaide’s victory.
Murphy proved a handful for West Adelaide’s onballers, as he burst hrough stoppage and got the ball forward several times, to finish with a team-high seven inside 50’s.
“For him to still get forward and impact there, but also impact around the footy is really important,” Wright said.
“We are really comfortable with what he can do in the forward line but now he is starting to add other strings to his game.”
Murphy also amassed 26 disposals, eight marks and six tackles.
Crows share the love in front of the sticks
Adelaide shared around the goal kicking duties, with 12 individuals booting a major, while six finished with two for the afternoon.
All three lines had contributors on the goal tally, with Wright pleased by the onballers ability to impact in multiple roles.
“It’s nice, it’s the modern game so the bags of goals are gone,” he said.
“The ability for the mids to play forward was good for their development, role and ambitions to play AFL footy.
“For them to have an impact at centre bounce and around the ground, but also on the scoreboard was pleasing.”
Adelaide’s SANFL team’s next game will be against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval on Saturday with the first bounce at 2:10pm.
SCOREBOARD
ADELAIDE: 3.3 9.8 13.14 18.18 (126)
WEST ADELAIDE: 0.1 0.2 0.6 4.7 (31)
GOALS:
Adelaide: Nankervis, Burgess, Taylor, Cook, Drury, Berry 2, Jones, T.Murray, Atkinson, Smith, Welsh, Schoenberg
West Adelaide: White, Squire, Scully, McCormick
Best: Nankervis, Schoenberg, Drury, Smith, Bond
