Against the Brisbane Lions, the Crows had two AFL debutants – Hugh Greenwood and Jordan Gallucci – for the first time since Round One last year when Mitch McGovern and Wayne Milera Junior graced the stage.
Adelaide was the fourth youngest team in Round Nine equalling Melbourne with an average age of 24.8 years. The Lions were the youngest (23.4) ahead of Carlton (24.5) and Richmond (24.7).
Former basketballer Greenwood kicked three goals in his AFL debut. Only two Crows have kicked more goals on debut than Greenwood – fellow Tasmanian and No.20 John Klug and forward Peter McIntyre who each booted four in Adelaide’s very first game in 1991.
Defender Ben Rutten and classy small Jason Porplyzia are among the Crows who equalled Greenwood’s haul of three goals on debut.
Greenwood applied a game-high nine tackles on Saturday night. Only defender Jake Kelly (10) laid more tackles on debut for Adelaide. Greenwood finished with 15 possessions at 80 per cent efficiency.
Draftee Gallucci also kicked a goal in his first AFL game.
Charlie Cameron equalled his personal best of four goals.
All of Cameron’s goals came in a dominant third-quarter performance, which also included 210 metres gained, nine disposals and five marks.
Rory Laird was Adelaide’s leading possession winner against the Lions with 37 at 83.3 per cent efficiency in greasy conditions. Laird also generated a team and equal-game high seven rebound 50ms, and gained more metres (662) than any other Crow.
Rory Sloane collected a team-high 19 contested possessions. Only Lions skipper Dayne Beams (21) had more for the game.
Young defender Jake Lever had a game-high 10 intercept possessions – ranked equal-third for the round. He also took seven marks.
Sloane was also Adelaide’s leading clearance winner (eight), again, behind Beams (11).
The Crows responded to a below-par performance in the midfield against Melbourne by winning the clearances 38 – 34 on Saturday night.
Captain Taylor Walker took more marks (10) than any player at the GABBA on Saturday night.
The Crows took 18 marks inside 50m to Brisbane’s five. Charlie Cameron led the way with five.
In his milestone game, defender Luke Brown pushed up the ground in the second half and sent the ball inside Adelaide’s attacking 50m six times – more than any other Crow. Five of Brown’s kicks inside 50m were retained by his team – the equal-most of any player in Round Nine.
After conceding the opening two goals of the match, Adelaide piled on 12 of the next 14 goals to set-up an 80-point victory.
The Crows had six multiple goalkickers: Cameron (four), Greenwood, Eddie Betts, Tom Lynch and Taylor Walker (three), and Andy Otten (two).
The unselfish Betts also had an equal-round high four goal assists.
The Crows scored 82 points from turnovers on the weekend – second only to the Sydney Swans (85).
Adelaide remains on top of the AFL ladder percentage ahead of GWS, who also have seven wins.
Match statistics
Disposals
Adelaide – 442
Brisbane Lions – 359
Disposal efficiency
Adelaide – 69%
Brisbane Lions – 68%
Kicks
Adelaide – 257
Brisbane Lions – 211
Handballs
Adelaide – 185
Brisbane Lions – 148
Clearances
Adelaide – 38
Brisbane Lions – 34
Inside 50ms
Adelaide – 67
Brisbane Lions – 52
Contested possessions
Adelaide – 162
Brisbane Lions – 149
Uncontested possessions
Adelaide – 269
Brisbane Lions – 210
Tackles
Adelaide – 60
Brisbane Lions – 66
Hit-outs
Adelaide – 40
Brisbane Lions – 36
