Adelaide has kick-started its SANFL season with a commanding 74-point victory over reigning premiers West Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.

The Crows were never headed and extended their lead at every change to upset the Bloods 18.16 (124) to 7.8 (50) in front of a healthy crowd at City Mazda Stadium.

The result marked Adelaide’s first Round One win in the SANFL, pushing the Crows inside the League’s top five for the first time ever. It was also the Club’s biggest victory over West, eclipsing a 63-point triumph from Round 15 last season.

West Adelaide premiership player and new Crows rookie Jonathon Beech starred in his debut game for Adelaide. The 25-year-old’s work rate was first class as he collected 25 possessions, 10 marks and three goals against his former club.

Fellow rookie Reilly O’Brien produced arguably his best performance in Crows colours. The 201cm ruckman amassed a career-high 20 possessions along with 18 hit-outs, five marks and four clearances to be the dominant big man on the ground. He imposed himself in the ruck, set up several scores for his teammates and also nailed a goal of his own.

Ricky Henderson (25 possessions, 11 marks) oozed class across half-back in his first game of the year returning from a pre-season back injury.

Riley Knight ran himself ragged in his return from an ankle complaint. The 20-year-old had 26 touches, a game-high 14 marks and booted a goal.

Big-bodied midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen was important early when the game was in the balance in the first and second quarters. He finished as Adelaide’s leading possession-winner with 27 disposals, nine clearances and a goal.

SANFL Stats: Round One v West Adelaide

Tall forward Harry Dear booted a career-high four goals and competed strongly all afternoon, while recruit Troy Menzel worked his way nicely into the contest to finish with 18 possessions and two goals.

Adelaide's defensive unit was also sound all afternoon. Kyle Hartigan, Sam Shaw, Jake Kelly and Andy Otten gave little away to the opposition forwards.

Crows SANFL coach Heath Younie said the final result reflected the attitude of the playing group.

"I was really happy with the style we played. That’s the most pleasing thing," Younie said.

"We play a certain style and I think the scoreboard takes care of itself.

"To keep the premiers, who were one of the most attacking teams from last year, to that amount of points shows our team defence is in good shape. That’s been the one area that we’ve worked on really heavily over the summer.

"I'm really pleased for the players. They’re the ones who have worked so hard over the summer."

A sublime start helped Adelaide set up the victory. The Crows kicked three goals in the first five minutes of the match while holding the Bloods scoreless until the 12-minute mark of the opening term.

Henderson and Mitch Grigg showed elite skill early with pinpoint passing to slice up the West Adelaide defence, but late goals to the home side meant the visitors held only a five-point advantage by the first break.

Hugh Greenwood and Menzel kicked back-to-back majors for their first goals in Crows colours as again Adelaide came out firing early in the second stanza. A run of five unanswered Crows goals saw the margin blow out to 36 points by the main break.

The contest then opened up in the second half as both sides battled fatigue while managing the SANFL’s new interchange cap of 60 rotations. Players from both clubs began to cramp up at different stages throughout the final term.

But Adelaide pushed on, piling on nine goals to West’s four in the second half. The SANFL Crows never looked like losing.

Defender Sam Shaw was collected by West Adelaide key forward Ryan Willits late in the game. Willits was reported and Shaw, while momentarily dazed, was uninjured in the incident.

Adelaide hosts the first SANFL Showdown of the year next Sunday afternoon at Mannum Oval at 1.40pm.


ADELAIDE             3.3   9.7   13.10   18.16 (124)
WEST ADELAIDE   2.4   3.7    5.8       7.8 (50)

GOALS
Adelaide: Dear 4, Beech 3, Menzel 2, Lowden 2, Spencely 2, Ellis-Yolmen, Ramsey, Greenwood, O’Brien, Knight
West Adelaide: Slattery 2, Green, Willits, Johnson, Stevens, Vick

BEST
Adelaide: O’Brien, Beech, Ellis-Yolmen, Knight, Castree, Henderson, Menzel, Gore
West Adelaide: Stevens, Schmidt, Caire, Silverlock, O’Brien

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
West Adelaide: Nil

REPORTS
Adelaide: Nil
West Adelaide: Ryan Willits for rough conduct against Sam Shaw in the fourth quarter