Adelaide’s SANFL team remains winless after five rounds despite a spirited performance against League leaders South Adelaide on Sunday.
The early signs were ominous for the Crows, who trailed the top-of-the-table Panthers by 32 points at quarter-time after a sublime opening quarter by the home side.
But Adelaide settled back into the contest after the first change, booting seven goals in the second term – including a clutch goal to Nick Mott after the half-time siren – to stay in the contest.
The SANFL Crows briefly took the lead in the third stanza, but could not sustain the fightback, conceding their third loss of the season 11.10 (76) to South Adelaide 13.12 (90).
Mitch Grigg worked tirelessly all day for Adelaide with 29 disposals, nine clearances and a goal, shaking off Panthers tagger Jake Veide in the second half.
Fellow midfielder Sam Kerridge was also prolific in just his second full game of the year. The 22-year-old finished with a game-high 36 possessions, five marks and five clearances.
First-round draft pick Jake Lever was again impressive in defence. He collected a season-high 26 touches and six rebound 50ms playing loose across half-back. The 19-year-old was benched for the final minutes of the match with severe cramping.
Speedster Anthony Wilson also produced his best performance as a Crow. The former Redleg had 20 possessions, three tackles and booted an incredible goal after a daring dash down the middle of Noarlunga Oval to put Adelaide ahead in the third term.
Rookie Keenan Ramsey and tall forward Nick Mott were Adelaide’s only multiple goal scorers with two apiece.
Ruckman Luke Lowden and draftee Mitch McGovern got through their first game of the year unscathed with both men returning from Achilles complaints.
Crows State League coach Heath Younie said consistency remains his side’s major focus.
“Firstly, full credit to South. It was a good game of footy (but) they were able to win the arm wrestle in the end,” he said.
“In that third quarter I thought we had control of the game but we allowed them to kick three goals late which really hurt us. I just felt in that period of time we just lost all our momentum.
“We did some good things today, but not for long enough and in the end you’ve got to do that in this competition.”
While impressed with his team’s endeavour in patches so far this season, Younie said the Crows were yet to produce a four-quarter performance.
“In our first four games we’ve played some pretty good footy and have been around the mark, the problem is that we haven’t been able to sustain it for long enough,” he said.
“As a result, we haven’t got a win.”
The match, which was originally to be played under lights on Saturday evening, was heavily influenced by a strong breeze blowing to the southern end of the ground.
The Panthers used the conditions to make the early running, dominating the inside 50m count 18-5 in the first quarter and holding Adelaide to its second goalless term of the season.
Fielding its strongest side of the season thus far, Adelaide responded with vigour in the second quarter. The Crows slotted consecutive goals for the first time midway through the term as Mott and Brodie Martin both finished with long-range goals from beyond the 50m arc.
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A swift transition helped set up Wilson running into goal early in the third term, putting the Crows into the lead for the first time of the match.
But South Adelaide’s Joel Cross then seized the moment for the home side, slotting three consecutive majors off his own boot to ensure the Panthers maintained the ascendency at the final break.
Adelaide couldn’t break the deadlock in the final term and remain without a win after five rounds of football.
The Crows are scheduled to play reigning premiers Norwood on Friday night at The Parade.
ADELAIDE 0.2 7.5 10.8 11.10 (76)
SOUTH ADELAIDE 5.4 9.5 12.6 13.12 (90)
GOALS
Adelaide: Mott 2, Ramsey 2, Callinan, Martin, O’Donohue, Wigg, Wittwer, Grigg, Wilson
South Adelaide: Cross 3, Eddy 2, Overall 2, Murphy 2, Liddle 2, Veide, Rolfe
BEST
Adelaide: Lever, Grigg, Kerridge, Carey, Wilson, Spencely
South Adelaide: Liddle, Cross, Macleod, Crabb, Rose
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
South Adelaide: Nil
