1. Next man up
Adelaide fielded an inexperienced line-up in its clash with Fremantle, with only three members of the Club’s senior leadership group in action. Without captain Taylor Walker, Daniel Talia, Scott Thompson and Sam Jacobs, several of Adelaide’s emerging leaders took their opportunity to stand tall against the Dockers. Rory Laird amassed a game-high 29 disposals at 90 per cent efficiency, Tom Lynch continued his rise with 20 possessions and a goal, while Rory Atkins (25 disposals) and Jake Lever (15) also impressed.
2. Sticking point
Blustery conditions at Sounness Park didn’t help the cause, but poor kicking marred both teams’ performances on Sunday. It was an ongoing area of concern for the Crows last year, with the Club registering the second-lowest kicking efficiency in the competition and averaging the third-most behinds per game in 2015. Adelaide had 27 scoring shots to Fremantle’s 16 and won the inside 50m count 43-38, including a 14-6 advantage at quarter-time. A run of 11 Crows behinds between the end of the first quarter and the start of the third proved costly in the two-point loss to the Dockers and will need to be analysed before Round One.
3. Menzel makes early mark
Offseason recruit Troy Menzel gave Crows fans an early glimpse of his talent around goal on Sunday afternoon. The former Blue sidestepped several Dockers and snapped truly from about 40m on his preferred left boot to record his maiden goal for his new team late in the opening term. Menzel worked hard in the hot conditions at Sounness Park, showing dash and flair whenever he had the ball in hand. While he’s the type of player who doesn’t need a lot of ball to hurt the opposition, Menzel will be eager to lift his six-possession output in the coming weeks as he becomes more familiar with his new teammates.
4. On the move
Despite the result and his team’s poor finishing, Don Pyke said he was happy with Adelaide’s ball movement and method around the ground. The midfield mix had great balance, with inside ball-winners Matt Crouch, Richard Douglas and Rory Sloane feeding the Crows’ outside runners in Rory Atkins, Paul Seedsman, David Mackay. Crouch and Seedsman both ranked inside the top ten for metres gained for Round Two of the NAB Challenge and Adelaide won the overall disposal count 347-326, including a healthy advantage in uncontested possession. There’s little wonder why Pyke said there was a lot to like in Sunday’s clash.
5. Suns on the horizon
Adelaide will now enjoy a 12-day break before taking on the Gold Coast Suns in the Club’s final NAB Challenge match. Coach Pyke expects to welcome back a host of senior players to take on the Suns, as the Crows aim to settle their Round One side. Pyke said Round One spots are still to be decided and the Club would approach the game as a “dress rehearsal” for the premiership season. Gold Coast confronts West Coast this Thursday before hosting Adelaide at Metricon Stadium in the Friday night clash on March 11.
