Adelaide has suffered its worst SANFL loss of the season, falling by 55 points to Central District in an error-riddled performance at My Money House Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The SANFL Crows lowered their colours with uncharacteristically poor disposal all afternoon in the 8.7 (55) to 17.8 (110) defeat. Adelaide conceded 12 goals from turnovers and were particularly sloppy across half-back, handing the home side several easy chances throughout the game.

The 55-point margin equalled Adelaide’s worst SANFL loss in the team’s history, matching a heavy defeat at the hands of Norwood in the final round of 2014. It was also Adelaide’s lowest score of the season and the side’s fifth consecutive loss to the Bulldogs.

The result was further soured by injury concerns to Troy Menzel and Nathan van Berlo. Menzel suffered a heavy knock to the head after being caught in a tackle late in the third term, while van Berlo reported foot soreness and did not feature after half-time. Rookie Crow Jonathon Beech was also withdrawn from the contest pre-game.

After a competitive opening term, the Crows were out-worked and out-muscled inside and outside the contest. Despite closing to within 22 points midway through the third term, Adelaide never looked like seriously challenging for victory and ultimately got the result it deserved.

Ricky Henderson worked hard for the visitors collecting 28 disposals at 85 per cent efficiency along with eight marks and a goal.

Adelaide’s leading SANFL goalkicker Luke Lowden continued his strong scoring form with three majors from limited opportunities. Hugh Greenwood, who booted two late goals, was Adelaide’s only other multiple goalscorer.

SANFL Stats: Round 13

First-year defender Tom Doedee gave his all in Adelaide’s under-siege backline. He finished with a season-best 23 possessions and eight marks.

Alex Keath was also gallant in defence in just his fifth game of senior football. He hit every contest hard and claimed five intercept marks – the most of any player on the ground.

Development player Dylan Schoenmakers also impressed in his second SANFL appearance of the year. The Tea Tree Gully goalkicker looked lively with his 14 disposals and two score assists.

Cam Ellis-Yolmen (37 disposals, eight clearances) and Mitch Grigg (31 disposals, six inside 50ms) tried hard but had little support against a well-drilled Central District midfield.

Crows SANFL coach Heath Younie was bitterly disappointed in the aftermath.

“Really disappointing,” was Younie’s assessment.

“Fundamentally, we didn’t execute simple skill level and then we were out-worked which was really disappointing. (We were beaten) on a number of fronts, whether it’s on our end, compliance on structure, or just pure work rate.

“To their credit, they just out-worked us.”

Adelaide started strongly with former Bulldogs Wayne Milera Junior and Menzel amongst the action early. Milera, playing his first game against his former team, relished the wide wings at Elizabeth Oval while Menzel also looked particularly dangerous, but sprayed a few early opportunities in front of goal.

Centrals made Adelaide pay at the opposite end and built a 19-point lead by the first break with two late goals before the quarter-time siren.

Henderson worked hard forward to boot the first goal of the second term, but the Bulldogs answered with the next three majors in a row.

Errors continued to mar Adelaide’s play, particularly in defence as the home side slammed on 10 goals through the first two quarters to build a 35-point half-time advantage.

Adelaide's effort improved after the main break as they peppered the scoreboard early. Lowden’s third goal was followed by a major to Harry Dear as the Crows slotted consecutive goals for the first time all afternoon to reduce the deficit to 22 points.

Centrals quickly slammed the door shut however, piling on the next four goals without reply to run out convincing winners.

Adelaide’s next SANFL game is against North Adelaide at Prospect on Saturday, July 2.

 

ADELAIDE                    2.2   4.5   6.7   8.7 (55)
CENTRAL DISTRICT     5.3   10.4   12.5   17.8 (110)

GOALS
Adelaide: Lowden 3, Greenwood 2, Henderson, Hunter, Dear
Central District: Rumblelow 3, Hoskin 3, Jenner 3, Habel 2, Edmead 2, Jansen, Goodrem, Barmby, Hanna

BEST
Adelaide: Doedee, Henderson, Schoenmakers, Lowden
Central District: Hoskin, Jansen, Holman, Barmby, J. Schiller, T. Schiller

INJURIES
Adelaide: Jonathon Beech withdrawn pre-game due to soreness, Menzel (head knock), van Berlo (foot)
Central District: Nil