A masterclass from Paul Seedsman has helped Adelaide keep its SANFL finals hopes alive in a stirring 39-point victory over North Adelaide at Prospect Oval on Saturday.

Seedsman starred with three goals, including two trademark long bombs in the final term, from a game-high 29 disposals to inspire the Crows to a hard-fought 17.13 (115) to 12.4 (76) victory.

The 25-year-old looked a class above and was instrumental with his speed and skill to set up Adelaide’s first SANFL victory since Round 10.

Saturday’s clash was an arm wrestle all afternoon despite the lopsided final scoreline. The two teams were never separated by more than two goals as the lead swapped hands on four occasions to three-quarter time.

The Roosters kicked the opening goal of the final quarter to snatch the lead once more before Adelaide then piled on five unanswered goals and eight majors in total for the term to run out convincing winners.

The victory keeps Adelaide within one win of fifth-placed Glenelg on the SANFL ladder with just two games remaining in the minor round.

It was also Adelaide’s fifth-straight win over North Adelaide dating back to Round 14, 2015.

SANFL stats: Round 16 v North Adelaide

First-year rookie Ben Jarman showed tremendous class against his former teammates in his best performance as a Crow. With father Darren watching on from the sidelines as part of North Adelaide’s 1987 Premiership Reunion, Jarman was damaging with his 16 disposals, which included three score assists and a goal.

Left-footer Troy Menzel bagged his second four-goal haul of the season in a promising display. The 22-year-old looked back to his brilliant best, highlighted by a miracle major from the boundary during Adelaide’s devastating final term.

Speedster Wayne Milera Junior enjoyed the wide wings of Prospect Oval while Dean Gore stood up in an undersized Crows backline missing Alex Keath (AFL), Andy Otten (injured) and Kyle Cheney (suspended) among others.

Jordan Gallucci also worked hard for his 23 possessions and pushed forward to kick two important goals as one of Adelaide’s five multiple goalkickers.


Crows SANFL coach Ryan O’Keefe praised the maturity of his group to rise to another level after half-time.

“Football is played 90 per cent above the shoulders,” O’Keefe said.

“I thought they showed great maturity, especially our younger guys, to realise ‘that’s not us’ and come out firing in that second half.

“In that third quarter we started to get on top and then in the last quarter to put the foot down and keep pressing.

“When you win the clearances, when you win the stoppages and you get it there and you make the opposition defend from their back half, you eventually wear them down.”

Jonathon Beech led the side in the absence of co-captains Keath and Hugh Greenwood as the Crows kicked the opening two goals of the game.

Ruckman Reilly O’Brien played predominately as a forward and hit the scoreboard early in his return from a back injury. The former rookie got through his first game since late June unscathed.

The speed and class of Seedsman, Milera and Jarman kept the Crows in touch at half-time despite some wasteful finishing in front of goal.

The match was finely poised at the final break. Adelaide held a four-point advantage but burst clear in a one-sided fourth quarter to snap a five-game SANFL losing streak.

Adelaide’s penultimate game of the SANFL season is against ladder leaders Woodville-West Torrens next Sunday afternoon at Maughan Thiem Hyundai Oval.


ADELAIDE               3.2   5.5   9.8   17.13 (115)
NORTH ADELAIDE   4.1   7.3   9.4   12.4 (76)

GOALS
Adelaide: Menzel 4, Pinyon 3, Seedsman 3, Gallucci 2, Signorello 2, O’Brien, Jarman, Fry
North Adelaide: Hender 5, Barnes 2, Harvey 2, McInerney, Minervini, J. Craig

BEST
Adelaide: Jarman, Seedsman, Milera, Gore, Thompson, Menzel, Doedee, Hunter
North Adelaide: Hender, Olekalns, C. Craig, Schwarz

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
North Adelaide: Nil