Scott Thompson has made a successful return in Adelaide’s SANFL trial match at Richmond Oval on Saturday morning.
Thompson, 32, collected 23 possessions and six clearances through three quarters in what was his first competitive outing of the year.
Adelaide lost by 20 points in a see-sawing affair against West Adelaide, but it was Thompson’s performance which was the most pleasing.
The veteran midfielder used his size and strength advantage in close to lead Adelaide’s midfield charge alongside Matt Crouch (34 disposals, seven marks, one goal) and development player Charlie Molyneux (16 disposals, five clearances).
Thompson did not feature in Adelaide’s NAB Challenge campaign due to a pre-season hamstring injury.
“Scott moved well today and really hunted the ball in close for us,” Crows State League coach Heath Younie said post-match.
“We know he relishes that physical contest and I thought he led the way for us in that area today. He won plenty of his own ball, brought some of his teammates into the game, and gave us some really good direction around the stoppages.
“It was good to see him get through unscathed.”
See all the stats from Saturday’s SANFL trial
Jake Lever was another who impressed in his first match in almost 18 months.
Playing his first game as a Crow, Lever was aggressive in the air and on the ground and finished with 10 disposals, three marks and five tackles. It was the competitive defender’s first outing since requiring a knee reconstruction in December, 2013.
“Jake is a natural footballer, and we saw that today,” Younie said.
“It was a promising performance for a guy who hasn’t played in such a long time. He competed hard and gave us a good honest contest all day in defence.
“He’ll be better for the run, but we’ve already got a taste of what he’s capable of.”
Mitch Grigg collected 14 possessions and kicked a goal in a half of football in another solid pre-season display from the left footer.
James Podsiadly was the pick of Adelaide's defenders. The veteran marshalled Adelaide’s back line throughout the contest and finished with 17 possessions, seven marks and four rebound 50ms.
All the photos from the SANFL trial
West Adelaide held a five-point lead at the major break following a competitive opening half.
Keenan Ramsey’s third goal of the afternoon put Adelaide ahead in the early minutes of the third term, but the Bloods kicked six goals to four in the second half to run away 14.15 (99) to 12.7 (79) winners.
Poor conversion arguably cost West Adelaide a bigger victory, but coach Younie said he was pleased with some of the signs from the side’s final pre-season hit-out.
“Westies have got some quality personnel and really took it to us today,” he said.
“We managed to hang with them through the opening half, but couldn’t hold sway when the game was there to be won in that third and fourth term.
“But we feel many of our development players showed some great signs, and obviously a few guys played their first games of the year today which is always a positive.”
Adelaide’s next SANFL game will be for premiership points in Round Two against North Adelaide at Prospect on April 11.
ADELAIDE 4.2 8.3 10.5 12.7 (79)
WEST ADELAIDE 5.5 8.8 11.12 14.15 (99)
GOALS
Adelaide: Ramsey 3, Schoenmakers 2, Osborn, Grigg, Callinan, Stent, Martin, Crouch, Wilson
West Adelaide: Beech 3, Green 2, Webb 2, Anderson 2, Helbig, Agostino, Haysman, Tuck, Newell
BEST
Adelaide: Podsiadly, Crouch, Thompson, Callinan, Molyneux
West Adelaide: Beech, Silverlock, Helbig, Agostino, Schiller
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
West Adelaide: Nil
