Port Lincoln local Eddie Betts has delighted his home-town fans, kicking four goals as Adelaide opened its NAB Challenge with a 10-point win over North Melbourne at Centenary Oval on Sunday.
Betts' haul proved match-winning as the Crows held off the fast-finishing Kangaroos, winning 1.12.9 (90) to 0.11.14 (80).
Adelaide forward Tom Lynch survived a scare, being taken from the ground on a stretcher after appearing to hurt his neck in a collision with Kangaroo Jack Ziebell.
Lynch, 24, broke his neck in similar circumstances in Round 20 last season, and also suffered a dislocated shoulder and broken jaw in separate injuries last year.
But Adelaide is confident Lynch escaped serious injury and was treated for concussion following his latest scare.
Betts, who was drafted to Carlton from Port Lincoln before joining the Crows last year, drew cheers from the 6000-strong crowd whenever he touched the ball and with three goals to half time they had plenty to sing about.
Betts' former Blues teammate Jarrad Waite made a promising debut for North Melbourne and took several strong, contested marks to go with his three goals.
But while Waite provided a target up forward and Shaun Higgins impressed with 17 possessions and three goals, the Crows had too much power on every line.
Nathan van Berlo was good early on his return from a ruptured Achilles and was swamped by his teammates when he booted a super goal in the third term.
Young gun Brad Crouch was sublime with 26 possessions, while fringe midfielder Jarryd Lyons did his round one chances no harm with 20 touches.
The Crows started strongly when Taylor Walker pinpointed a pass to Lynch, who kicked truly in his first game since breaking his neck against the Lions last August.
However, his day ended minutes later when he was knocked out in ominously similar circumstances - ducking into a Jack Ziebell tackle.
Lynch was helped to his feet by trainers but had to be taken from the field on a stretcher.
Betts' second goal edged his side's lead to 28 points and his third ended a mini fight-back from the Kangaroos, led by Daniel Wells and Ben Jacobs.
That momentum swing would have packed more punch if Higgins had converted a nine-point opportunity and if forward Ben Brown and Wells had nailed their chances.
Betts had a fourth soon after the main break and fellow Port Lincoln native – and Crows draftee – Keenan Ramsey then added his name to the score sheet.
Veteran Harvey was brilliant after half time and Majak Daw's athleticism was as jaw dropping as has become expected, but at three-quarter time the game looked as good as won for the Crows.
Nobody told North Melbourne, though, and with six unanswered goals in the final term they reduced the lead to just 10 points.
That's where the margin remained, with the siren ending a spirited Kangaroo comeback and giving Crows coach Phil Walsh his debut win.
"I saw some things that were encouraging. Other things we've still got a long way to go," Crows coach Phil Walsh said after the tight finish.
"There was probably a bit of a wind down [North Melbourne's] end ... but I wasn't happy allowing 11 scoring shots in the last quarter."
After a horror weekend which saw two clubs lose players to long-term injuries, North Melbourne coach Brad Scott was relieved the Roos escaped their NAB Challenge opener unscathed.
"This is our first competitive hit-out other than some really basic match simulation at training so we expected some rustiness which we certainly got," Scott said.
"But really what you're hoping for in these games is some good match practice against some good opposition and to get through unscathed and we achieved all those things."
WHAT WE LEARNED
Adelaide: Although he played in defence when required for the Crows last year, James Podsiadly spent much of the game down back on Sunday, suggesting coach Phil Walsh might have a new role in mind for the forward. Around Podsiadly the Crows' defence appeared stronger than last year. While restricting North Melbourne to 11 goals for the day, Adelaide was able to generate plenty of attack from the back half.
North Melbourne: Jarrad Waite's presence up forward provided the Roos with a genuine target, and he will be a massive asset in attack if he can prove as effective in the season proper. Fellow recruit Shaun Higgins was even more impressive, collecting 17 touches and kicking two important goals. Kayne Turner put in a solid effort through the middle of the field, running with Rory Sloane at times and at least holding his own.
NEW FACES
Adelaide: Drafted ruckman/defender Reilly O'Brien put in an impressive first effort for the Crows, holding his own in the ruck with 14 hit-outs and taking several strong marks around the ground. Key forward Keenan Ramsey looks as though he'll soon cut an imposing figure and kicked a nice goal.
North Melbourne: Former Carlton forward Jarrad Waite started his career with a strong contested mark and goal and added another before the end of the game. Veteran Shaun Higgins' class is undoubted. Recruited from the Western Bulldogs as a free agent, his 17 possessions and two goals had him in the Kangas' best.
ADELAIDE 0.3.2 0.7.6 1.12.8 1.12.9 (90)
NORTH MELBOURNE 0.1.0 0.3.5 0.5.9 0.11.14 (80)
SUPERGOALS
Adelaide: van Berlo
North Melbourne: Nil
GOALS
Adelaide: Betts 4, Lynch, Ramsey, Kerridge, Walker, Cameron, Ellis-Yolmen, Martin, Crouch
North Melbourne: Waite, Higgins 3, Thomas, Petrie, Wells, Macmillan, Turner
BEST
Adelaide: Betts, Crouch, Lyons, Sloane, Podsiadly, Kerridge
North Melbourne: Harvey, Higgins, Turner, Daw, Wells, Macmillan
INJURIES
Adelaide: Lynch (concussion)
North Melbourne: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: Cameron replaced Lynch in the first quarter; Wigg replaced Henderson in the third quarter.
North Melbourne: Harvey replaced Brown in the second quarter; McKenzie replaced Wells.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Brown, Hay, McInerney, Mollison
Official crowd: 6,000 at Centenary Oval
