Adelaide’s SANFL side has kicked off 2019 with a thumping 36-point win over Norwood at Norwood Oval.
The Crows team was buoyed by more than a dozen AFL-listed players including Hugh Greenwood, Tyson Stengle and Paul Hunter who all dominated across the ground.
Stengle, who joined the Crows from Richmond at the end of 2018, booted four goals and enjoyed plenty of link-up play in the forward 50.
Speaking after the game, Stengle said he was pleased with his performance but knew there was still work ahead of him to make the AFL side.
“I’m hoping to get in, but we’ll just see,” Stengle said.
“I’m just out here to play team-first and do my role for the team, hopefully I can get up into the AFL.”
Greenwood impressed in his first game of 2019 and had a lot of the football in the centre of the ground.
Despite it only being a pre-season match, Greenwood said he saw plenty of good signs.
“It’s been a couple of years since I’ve put on the SANFL jumper and there’s guys at the Footy Club I haven’t played with before,” Greenwood said.
“It was good fun and the boys have come a long way.
“Hunts [Paul Hunter] was unbelievable in the ruck, he carried the load a lot last year and tonight he was outstanding.”
Hunter seemed to be everywhere against Norwood and bagged himself a goal in the first quarter.
Crows SANFL coach Heath Younie said the coaching staff were really happy with how the team played.
“It’s nice to see all the work we’ve done over the summer come to fruition,” Younie said.
“Our senior players led the way and set the standard for the younger guys.
“I thought Greenwood’s first game back was terrific.”
Also impressive for Adelaide was Ned McHenry, who accumulated plenty of touches and shrugged off at least half a dozen tackles.
Myles Poholke used his strength in the midfield and picked up several score assists, including one for Tom Hutcheson, who kicked three goals on the night.
Adelaide will face Port Adelaide at Alberton on March 22 in another SANFL trial game before the home and away season kicks off against Sturt on March 30.
NORWOOD 3.0 6.1 7.5 10.10 (70)
ADELAIDE 6.1 11.1 12.3 16.10 (106)
Goals:
Stengle 4, Hutcheson 3, McMahon 3, Wright 2, Hunter, McHenry, McKay, Poholke
