Adelaide has lost its second SANFL game of the season by 29 points after surrendering an early lead against West Adelaide on Friday night.
The Crows booted the opening four goals of the game and led by as much as 24 points at the 19-minute mark of the first term.
But the Bloods slowly clawed their way back into the contest after quarter-time and eventually regained the ascendency.
With 10 development players and five teenagers from the Club’s AFL list, the young Crows battled bravely as the lead swapped six times throughout the second and third quarters.
Adelaide’s resistance faded in the final term however, as West Adelaide slammed on 10 goals to four in the second half to run out 29-point winners.
Big differentials in total possessions, marks, clearances and inside 50ms illustrated the gulf between the two sides after half-time following a evenly-matched first half.
The result extends the Bloods’ undefeated run over the Crows to three since Adelaide’s entry into the competition last season.
Jarryd Lyons starred with 28 possessions, five clearances and two goals, while ball-magnet midfielder Matt Crouch was prolific once again with 28 disposals and five clearances.
First-round draftee Jake Lever was aggressive in defence and provided strong rebound with 15 disposals from the back line.
Left-footer Mitch Grigg moved well to finish with 20 disposals, three clearances and four rebound 50ms before he was benched at three-quarter time.
See the full SANFL stats sheet
Wingman Matthew Spencely (20 possessions, one goal) and tough midfielder Charlie Molyneux (12 possessions, two goals) were again impressive in their second game in Crows colours.
Debutant Nick Mott started strongly with two early goal assists and finished with one of his own alongside 14 disposals and a team-high six marks.
Despite Adelaide’s dominant start to the game, Crows SANFL coach Heath Younie said the better side won on the night.
“We were pleased with our start tonight, but just couldn’t maintain that intensity through the full four quarters,” Younie said post-match.
“Full credit to West Adelaide. They lifted their intensity after quarter-time and we couldn’t stay with them, particularly in that final term.”
Opposed to an experienced West Adelaide featuring the likes of former Crows Jason Porplyzia and Chris Schmidt, Younie said he was proud of the endeavour of his young charges against the battle-hardened Bloods.
“They’ve got some quality players who know how to play footy at this level,” he said.
“They knocked off the Eagles last week and showed again tonight they will be around the mark this season. But I thought our guys competed really well for most of the game and toughed it out in what was a pretty physical contest at times.
“Our younger players should learn a lot from the experience.”
Greasy conditions produced errors from both sides in the early stages of the opening term, but it was the Crows who steadied first.
A West Adelaide turnover generated the first goal of the game to Jack Osborn at the eight-minute mark. Lyons bagged two majors for the term and Molyneux’s first goal as a Crow saw Adelaide jump out to a 24-point advantage.
But two late replies saw the Bloods cut the deficit to just 11 points by quarter-time.
West Adelaide dominated possession and controlled play inside its forward half for much of the second term, but squandered several opportunities in front of goal.
The Bloods recorded nine scoring shots to Adelaide’s three for the quarter, yet the Crows retained the lead at half-time using rebound play through the corridor.
The floodgates opened after half-time however as West Adelaide ran away with the result against the inexperienced Crows.
Adelaide will play under lights once again in Round Four against Glenelg on Friday, April 24.
ADELAIDE 4.3 7.3 9.5 11.8 (74)
WEST ADELAIDE 2.4 5.10 10.12 15.13 (103)
GOALS
Adelaide: Lyons 2, Osborn 2, Molyneux 2, Spencely, Mott, Grigg, Ramsey, Callinan
West Adelaide: Green 3, Helbig 2, Fielke 2, Porplyzia 2, Stevens 2, Tuck, Webb, Beech, Haysman
BEST
Adelaide: Lever, Lyons, Grigg, Pfeiffer, Spencely, Mott, Wittwer
West Adelaide: Schmidt, Helbig, Schiller, Fielke, Porplyzia, Silverlock
