Comeback Crow Ricky Henderson showed why the coaches were so keen to get him back in the team during his first AFL game of the season against GWS on Saturday.

Henderson missed the opening four months of the season after fracturing his tibia at the ankle in a pre-season training drill. The line-breaking defender made his return in the SANFL in June, but a corked thigh and untimely State League bye meant he only had five quarters of competitive football under his belt when he was recalled to the senior Crows team this week

It didn’t seem to matter too much as Henderson, who established himself as an integral part of Adelaide’s defence in 2013, picked up where he left off last year. Although “a bit rusty”, the athletic 25-year-old won 22 possessions, took seven marks and generated a team-high six inside 50ms.

He also gained more metres (630) than any other player on the ground as a link-up man between defence and attack.

“I was a bit rusty early and with a few guys going down late I struggled to run out the game a little, but that was to be expected and it’ll hold me in good stead for the weeks to come,” Henderson told FIVEaa after his first AFL game since August last year.

“I think the boys were looking after me (by giving me the ball), which is always nice. I did word them up before the game that I might need a bit of confidence early, so they really helped me out there.”

Adelaide set up its 68-point win over Greater Western Sydney in the opening half.

The Crows limited the inaccurate Giants to only two goals to half time, while kicking 10 of their own to lead by eight goals at the main change.

Coach Brenton Sanderson was pleased with his team’s start but not necessarily the finish, which saw Adelaide record a wasteful 20.20.

“One of our focus areas this week was our attitude. To our boys’ credit, they started well. The Giants didn’t kick straight, which helped us, but it was nice to get away to a good start and make a team chase us because we’ve been the chaser most of this year,” Sanderson said.

“We were 47 points up at half time and we were a bit disappointed we couldn’t put the foot down. I know we had some challenges with some players going down injured. I didn’t like the last quarter much. Both teams looked tired and sloppy and were going through the motions, it felt.

“You can’t be too hard on the boys though. We had a six-day break coming off of a Showdown and kicked 20.20. GWS only had 22 points at half time, so we were pretty good defensively.

“I know we won all four quarters, but it didn’t really feel like we played a solid four-quarter game today.”

After banking an important four points, the Crows return to Adelaide to take on ladder leaders Hawthorn in a blockbuster Friday night match.

Henderson said the focus would switch to the Hawks, who will be smarting after a loss to North Melbourne, immediately.

“It’s always good to get an away win, especially up in Sydney. It’s actually becoming a tough road trip now, so to come up here and get the four points is really good,” Henderson said.

“Hopefully, we can get on a bit of a roll now and do our best to knock Hawthorn off next week. We’ll start looking at that game pretty much straight away.”