A last quarter comeback has secured Adelaide a nail biting six-point win over West Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.
After a scrappy first half, the Bloods got on top in the third quarter to enter the final change with a two-goal lead.
However, the Crows fought back and kicked five goals to two in the last quarter to secure a 10.12 (72) to 10.6 (66) win.
Adelaide’s defenders impressed with captain Matthew Wright, Andy Otten and Jordon Butts all delivering strong performances.
Wright finished with 25 disposals and five rebound 50s, Otten had 22 touches and seven spoils while Butts had 23 touches and 11 marks.
Myles Poholke was influential in the midfield, collecting 22 disposals and eight tackles while Patrick Wilson had a lot of the footy, finishing with 38 disposals and eight clearances.
Bryce Gibbs set up a number of goals in the final term and finished with 29 touches and seven clearances.
State League coach Heath Younie said the team was lucky to walk away from Richmond Oval with the two points.
“Full credit to West Adelaide, I thought they came out and competed strongly today,” Younie said.
“We probably stole that win in the end, but we’ll take it and move forward.”
With the game in the balance at three-quarter time, Younie spoke about bringing energy, effort and each player utilising their strength.
Younie felt his side were able to deliver on that in the final term.
“It took a really strong performance in the last quarter to get the win,” he said.
“One of Gibbs’ strengths is his kicking and he was able to set us up, Pohokle is a really strong contested ball player, he was able to win some crucial balls going forward.
“Otten defended really strongly a few times, Sam Jacobs gave us more taps and Wilson won more ball.”
Former Crows listed player Jono Beech kicked two goals for West Adelaide.
No injuries were reported from the game.
ADELAIDE 2.4 4.8 5.11 10.12 (72)
WEST 2.2 4.4 8.5 10.6 (66)
GOALS:
Adelaide: Stengle 2, Fogarty, Gibbs, Jones, Poholke, Strachan, Jacobs, Himmelberg, McAdam
West: Haysman 3, Beech 2, Hupfeld 2, Batley, Johnson, Pillion
BEST: Wright, Otten, Pohokle, Butts, Gibbs
