Adelaide remains winless after being overrun in Sunday’s SANFL Showdown in Balaklava to the tune of 35 points.
The Crows enjoyed a blistering start to the contest, booting the first four goals of the game and notching their best first-quarter score of the season while Port Adelaide squandered several early opportunities.
Adelaide made the most of its early forward forays and led the contest by two points at half-time with an efficient 8.4 (52) to Port’s 7.8 (50).
But despite the Crows’ early dominance, the Magpies were never far from the lead and eventually righted their radar up forward in the second half.
The two sides went goal for goal in an entertaining third term, before Port Adelaide piled on a seven-goal avalanche in the final quarter to blow out the final margin 20.14 (134) to 15.9 (99).
It was the biggest score conceded by the Crows this season. Promisingly however, it was also Adelaide’s best output of Season 2015 with nine Crows hitting the scoreboard and three multiple goalkickers.
Rookie-listed pair Jack Osborn (four goals) and Keenan Ramsey (three) led the way and were dangerous all afternoon inside the arc.
Sam Siggins, Jake Sutcliffe, Luke Lowden and Matthew Johncock all booted their first goals for the Club during the shootout Round Seven clash.
Gawler Central midfielder Charlie Molyneux was a standout in close further up the ground with 24 possessions and eight clearances and was well-supported by Southern Football League star Matthew Spencely, who finished with 16 disposals and two goals.
SANFL skipper Ian Callinan (25 possessions, five inside 50ms) never gave up and tried to lift his side when the game was on the line in the third term.
Hard-running youngster Riley Knight impressed with 25 disposals and six marks in his first game of the season after ankle surgery, while James Podsiadly (19 possessions, five marks, five rebound 50ms) was important in defence in his comeback from a back injury before being switched into attack late in the contest.
Reilly O’Brien and Luke Lowden combined for 32 hit-outs as Senior Coach Phil Walsh watched closely from the grandstands after admitting No.1 ruckman Sam Jacobs will likely require support in the AFL in the coming weeks.
After the fast start, Crows coach Heath Younie said it was Adelaide’s spiralling disposal efficiency that saw the result slip away.
“They scored 9.7 off our turnovers - there’s the ball game,” Younie said post-match.
“They capitialised on them and once they got momentum it was hard to resurrect that.
“We played well for three quarters against the Grand Finalists of last year I felt we had fair amount of control of the game.
“But they’ve got some very good players. To try and keep them down for four quarters was always going to be tough. Full credit to Port. They flexed their muscles when they needed to.”
Adelaide’s lengthy injury list, compounded by injuries to Matthew Jaensch and Brodie Smith in Saturday’s AFL victory over St Kilda, has made team selection challenging for the Club’s SANFL side.
The Crows fielded just 11 senior-listed players in Sunday’s SANFL clash, compared to Port Adelaide’s 17.
But Adelaide’s development squad has stepped up admirably so far this season, with Matthew Johncock, who booted a terrific goal from the backline, and ex-North Adelaide midfielder Dale Armstrong both making their first appearances in the tri-colours.
“The injuries are not ideal, but are they an excuse? No. Because we’re getting opportunities to play some other guys,” Younie said.
“Charlie Molyneux comes out today and he played an outstanding game. We had young Matthew Spencely come in and play another great game. Matthew Johncock, the cousin of Graham, makes his debut and I thought was really solid down back.
“We’re hoping that holds us in good stead in the back half of the year.”
Adelaide remains in ninth position on the SANFL ladder heading into next week's bye.
The SANFL Crows’ next clash is against Central District on May 30 at Elizabeth Oval, the location of the Club’s first-ever SANFL victory last season.
ADELAIDE 5.1 8.4 12.5 15.9 (99)
PORT ADELAIDE 3.4 7.8 13.10 20.14 (134)
GOALS
Adelaide: Osborn 4, Ramsey 3, Spencely 2, Siggins, Kerridge, Lowden, Johncock, Schoenmakers, Sutcliffe
Port Adelaide: Palmer 3, Neade 3, Harvey 2, Gray 2, Wagner 2, Austin 2, Redden, Logan, Stewart, Byrne-Jones, Young, Moore
BEST
Adelaide: Molyneux, Callinan, Spencely, Carey, Knight, Ramsey
Port Adelaide: Stewart, Young, Summerton, Palmer, Neade, Moore
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Port Adelaide: Nil
