Brad Crouch has produced a dominant 37-possession performance in his return to SANFL action in Adelaide’s 23-point loss to Central District on Saturday afternoon.

Crouch, who was left out of Adelaide’s AFL side to take on Gold Coast, finished as the game’s leading ball-winner and displayed his trademark strength inside the contest to record 11 clearances, five tackles and three inside 50ms.

The midfielder’s 37-disposal tally was the highest of his SANFL career. Crouch’s best effort at AFL level was a 40-possession display against Hawthorn in Round 17, 2014.

It wasn’t enough however for Adelaide to overcome its poor recent record against the Bulldogs in what was a spirited contest at My Money House Oval.

The Crows trailed for the majority of the afternoon but managed to pull the deficit to within a kick by the three-quarter time break.

Adelaide would’ve felt confident of grinding out a result given its strong fourth-quarter form this year, but instead it was Centrals who kicked away with five goals to Adelaide’s two in the final stanza to hand the SANFL Crows just their second loss of the season.

SANFL Stats: Round Nine

The loss marked Adelaide’s fourth straight defeat to the Bulldogs. The Crows’ only victory against Central District came in the Club’s inaugural SANFL win in Round Three of the 2014 season.

The result also demotes Adelaide to third on the SANFL table.

SANFL coach Heath Younie had a simple explanation for his side’s disappointing showing.

“They just out-worked us,” he said.

“We didn’t match them. Full credit to them, I thought they played a really good brand of footy. Across the board we just didn’t work hard enough.”

Younie also lamented Adelaide’s inability to give its forward line enough opportunity, highlighting the final 55-32 inside 50m differential.

“When the ball’s getting played in their half more than ours, it’s really difficult. And I reckon half of (our entries) were really shallow entries,” he said.

“It was a combination of not getting enough handball receives through the middle of the ground and getting it deep, but purely and basically, they out-worked us.”

Younie said Crouch handled his return to SANFL level with great maturity.

“He came back with a great attitude,” Younie said.

“Brad won enough of the ball and I thought he moved across the ground well.

“We expect Brad to play well every week whether it’s AFL or SANFL.”

Defender Jake Kelly amassed a career-best 27 possessions and five rebound 50ms in an impressive comeback from a hand injury. The former rookie fought tirelessly in defence alongside fellow comeback Crow Andy Otten (23 disposals, six marks) and first-year backman Tom Doedee (14 disposals, four marks) despite a lopsided inside 50m tally.

Left-footer Mitch Grigg continued his strong run of recent form with 28 touches, six marks and five inside 50ms and was one of the reasons why Adelaide remained in touch despite Centrals’ early dominance.

Hugh Greenwood also caught the eye yet again with another solid showing. The ex-basketballer had 18 possessions, seven clearances and four marks rotating through the midfield and forward line.

SANFL Crows captain Luke Carey was another bright light in defence with a team-high eight marks along with 18 possessions and five rebound 50ms.

Development trio Trent Heffernan (three goals), Matthew Leigh (one) and Wade Hancock (one), who played his first game for the SANFL Crows, all hit the scoreboard and showed promising signs.

Troy Menzel was Adelaide’s only other multiple goalkicker. The former Central District junior bounced through an incredible snap from the pocket in the opening term and added another major in the second quarter against the tide.

Heffernan was benched for the majority of the last quarter after sustaining a corked thigh. The Club reported no other new injuries.

All SANFL teams break for a bye next weekend due to the State Game against the VFL. Adelaide’s next SANFL clash is against Sturt at Peter Motley Oval on Saturday, June 4.

 

ADELAIDE                    2.3   4.3   10.4   12.4 (76)
CENTRAL DISTRICT    3.4   7.8   10.9   15.9 (99)

GOALS
Adelaide: Heffernan 3, Menzel 2, Leigh, Dear, Gore, Hancock, Hunter, Otten, Ellis-Yolmen
Central District: Presbury 3, Edmead 3, Dew 2, Hill 2, D. Fort, Barmby, T. Schiller, Kavanagh, Jenner

BEST
Adelaide: Crouch, Otten, Grigg, Greenwood, Doedee
Central District: T. Schiller, Barmby, Jansen, Presbury, Edmead, Prior

INJURIES
Adelaide: Heffernan (corked thigh)
Central District: Nil