Adelaide has survived a late surge from reigning premiers Sturt to open its 2017 SANFL campaign with a thrilling two-point victory at Peter Motley Oval on Sunday.

The Crows held a commanding 40-point lead at three-quarter time before Sturt went on a scoring spree, booting six goals to none in a tense final term.

A clutch mark to teenager Lachlan Murphy on the last line of defence and a full-body smother by Jordan Gallucci on centre wing helped the Crows hang on in the dying minutes to record the 10.6 (66) to 9.10 (64) win.

It was the latest chapter in a growing rivalry between the Crows and Double Blues. Sturt knocked Adelaide out of its first SANFL finals campaign in last year’s Preliminary Final and three of the last four games between the two clubs have been decided by two goals or less.

SANFL stats: Round One

Comeback Crow Brad Crouch and Adelaide’s SANFL co-captain Hugh Greenwood were immense against Sturt’s hardened midfield unit.

Crouch, playing his first game of the year following a pre-season hamstring injury, relished the wet and windy conditions to collect 40 disposals – 10 more touches than another other player in the opening round of the SANFL. His return included 23 contested possessions, 10 tackles and seven clearances.

Rookie-listed Crow Hugh Greenwood was also outstanding, particularly in the third quarter when Adelaide looked to be on its way to a comfortable victory. The 25-year-old had 27 possessions, 10 clearances, nine tackles and kicked two goals in the third term to inspire his teammates.

Jordan Gallucci laid a crucial smother to help Adelaide hang on to victory against Sturt

Victorian recruit Murphy was among nine players making their Crows debut in the clash at Peter Motley Oval.

The 18-year-old, who is the youngest player in Adelaide’s SANFL development squad, showed incredible composure under pressure with his 18 disposals and a team-high six rebound 50ms.

Murphy and fellow development Crows Damon Hill, Sam Tharaldsen and Louis De Michele did well to repel Sturt’s forward forays despite their inexperience at League level.

Troy Menzel (two goals) and Jonathon Beech (22 disposals) were important contributors and Ben Jarman (17 disposals, one goal) started his Crows career promisingly.

Crows SANFL coach Ryan O'Keefe praised his players' ability to hang tough when the game was on the line.

"The effort we brought today was the main thing," O'Keefe said after his first game in charge of the Club's SANFL side.

"Even in the last quarter, Sturt's such a good side so we knew they would come at us hard, and to our boys’ credit we hung on.

"The ability to come up against the reigning premiers and to withstand the heat was a good experience for our players." 

Elliott Himmelberg looked dangerous in the early stages of the contest, claiming several contested marks and kicking the opening goal of the game as Adelaide kicked clear with the wind.

Left-footer Menzel sent home a massive major from well beyond the 50m arc to give the Crows a 15-point advantage by the first change.

The Double Blues finally found their rhythm in the second term and closed to within five points, but a classy snap from Jarman on the siren gave Adelaide some breathing space at the main change.

Rain swept across Peter Motley Oval during the break, making conditions even more tricky for both teams in the second half.

Crouch came into his own in the third term alone while co-captain Greenwood claimed a courageous pack mark and booted two goals to help his side to what seemed a match-winning 40-point advantage.

But Sturt stormed home with six unanswered goals to give Adelaide an almighty scare in the closing moments, falling just two-points short as the siren sounded.

Scott Thompson, who sustained a corked adductor in the Club’s final SANFL trial against Norwood, was a late withdrawal due to soreness.


ADELAIDE   2.4   4.5   10.5   10.6 (66)
STURT         0.1   2.6   3.7   9.10 (64)

GOALS
Adelaide: Menzel 2, Greenwood 2, Himmelberg, Hunter, Jarman, Brown, Beech, Signorello
Sturt: M Evans 4, Hone 2, Sumner 2, Read

BEST
Adelaide: Greenwood, Crouch, Murphy, Menzel, Beech, Jarman
Sturt: F Evans, Colquhoun, M Evans, McMahon, Riley, Sumner

INJURIES
Adelaide: Thompson (soreness) withdrawn pre-match
Sturt: Nil