Geelong has continued its unbeaten start to the season and withstood a second-half resurgence from Adelaide, winning by 24 points on the road at Adelaide Oval.
The Crows drew within three points early in the fourth term, but a Gary Ablett cameo and some one-on-one experience from Gary Rohan saw the visitors restore some breathing space, eventually going on to win 14.15 (99) to 10. 15 (75).
Ablett kicked a goal from 50m and less than two minutes later handballed to Gryan Miers who converted on the run.
Rohan then out-bodied Alex Keath to kick the matchwinner from close range.
The fourth quarter was marred by injuries to both sides.
Paul Seedsman appeared to hyperextend his left knee and was stretched off the ground, while Cats star Tim Kelly hobbled off with a suspected ankle injury.
INJURY UPDATE: Paul Seedsman suffers suspected ACL
Patrick Dangerfield continued to inflict pain on his old club with 32 disposals and 10 clearances, while Kelly, Tom Stewart, Mitch Duncan and Luke Dahlhaus were busy.
Brad Crouch had 35 disposals and eight clearances while Rory Sloane was a key ignitor in Adelaide’s comeback.
The Crows were well beaten in the first half, but Geelong left the door ajar with their 23-point advantage not reflective of their dominance.
It allowed Adelaide to reset in third quarter, kicking 5.3 to 2.1 with a number of crowd-lifting goals.
A team effort – featuring a series of handballs starting on the wing – was finished off by a Brad Crouch set shot from 30m.
When Tom Lynch kicked Adelaide’s ninth after the siren the margin was back to just three points, but the Cats refused to surrender the lead after a strong start.
The 6.2 to 3.6 opening was Geelong’s highest-scoring first quarter from eight appearances at Adelaide Oval.
They then had nine scoring shots to four in the second term but couldn’t quite deliver the knockout blow.
Gryan Miers kicked two goals for the second term – one a 40-metre set shot from a tight angle and the other a crumbing effort after receiving an under-pressure handball from Sam Menegola.
Next Up
Adelaide plays North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night. The Roos will have the home-ground advantage, but the Crows will have an extra two days to prepare for the match.
Geelong returns home to take on Greater Western Sydney and, like Adelaide, the Cats have a nine-day turnaround.
ADELAIDE 3.6 4.9 9.12 10.15 (75)
GEELONG 6.2 8.8 10.9 14.15 (99)
GOALS
Adelaide: Lynch 2, Atkins, Knight, Jenkins, Sloane, B.Crouch, M.Crouch, Murphy, Walker,
Geelong: Miers 3, Hawkins 2, Rohan 2, Taylor, Menegola, Atkins, Clark, Constable, Dangerfield, Ablett
BEST
Adelaide: B Crouch, Sloane, Keath, M Crouch, Lynch
Geelong: Dangerfield, Kelly, Stewart, Duncan, Ablett, Stanley, Blicavs
INJURIES
Adelaide: Seedsman (TBC)
Geelong: O'Connor (TBC), Kelly (TBC)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Stephens, Hosking
Official crowd: 45,631 at Adelaide Oval
