Adelaide’s difficult start to the SANFL season has continued on Friday night following a 42-point loss to reigning premiers Norwood at The Parade.
After a competitive first half, the Crows couldn’t match the class of the top-of-the-table Redlegs in greasy conditions at Norwood Oval.
The home side extended its lead at every change to run out 12.15 (87) to 6.9 (45) winners to kick off the SANFL’s Multicultural Round. The result signified Adelaide’s biggest loss of the season so far, with the Crows also recording their lowest score in the SANFL for 2015.
It was the second round in a row that the Crows confronted the SANFL’s top team after facing then-League leaders South Adelaide at Noarlunga last Sunday.
Adelaide remains in ninth position on the SANFL ladder without a win from the side’s first five outings of the year.
Sam Kerridge fought gallantly all night for Adelaide and pushed his case for a return to the senior side with 17 disposals and six clearances in the first half alone. Norwood negated the hard-running midfielder after half-time however, and he finished with 22 possessions and 10 clearances in just his second full SANFL game of the season.
Reilly O’Brien, who was upgraded to Adelaide’s senior list on Thursday, again impressed with 32 hit-outs and 14 possessions. The 19-year-old worked an intriguing ruck tandem with fellow tall Jack Osborn, with both men competing together at stoppages around the ground for much of the night.
Mitch McGovern gave his all up forward and kicked his first goal as a Crow, finishing with two majors for the evening. He was Adelaide’s only multiple goalkicker for the match.
Echunga tall Luke Carey battled gamely in defence, while big-bodied midfielder Charlie Molyneux worked hard in the clinches to collect 16 disposals, eight clearances and a goal.
See all the stats from Friday night's clash with Norwood
Adelaide kicked 3.6 in the first half, including two behinds that hit the post early in the second term when the Crows were in the fight.
Crows State League coach Heath Younie lamented his side’s wasted opportunities.
“I thought we competed hard in that first half but we didn’t take our chances,” he said.
“Norwood are obviously a quality side, and I was happy with our effort early – particularly in the first term.”
The lead swapped hands three times in a tight first quarter, but the Redlegs’ class came to the fore after the main break as the rain began to fall at Norwood Oval.
Coming into the game off a five-day break, Adelaide grew weary the longer the game wore on.
Kerridge tried to ignite the visitors with a magnificent goal out of a stoppage to kick off the third term.
But it was to no avail, as the home side piled on the next four majors to kill off the contest by three-quarter time.
“I wasn’t happy with our third quarter at all tonight,” Younie said.
“They controlled possession and put us to the sword in that period. It’s disappointing because we felt we were still a chance being just a few kicks down at half-time.
“We’ve still got plenty to work on.”
Norwood dominated the overall possession count 314-208, leaving Adelaide with 12 players recording nine disposals or less for the game.
The SANFL Crows will play their only ‘home’ game of the season against Port Adelaide next Sunday afternoon at Balaklava Oval.
ADELAIDE 2.3 3.6 5.7 6.9 (45)
NORWOOD 4.3 6.5 10.10 12.15 (87)
GOALS
Adelaide: McGovern 2, Mott, Ramsey, Molyneux, Kerridge
Norwood: Davis 3, Newton 3, Persinos 2, Wilkins, Donohue, Roocke, Allan
BEST
Adelaide: Carey, Osborn, Kerridge, O’Brien
Norwood: Panos, Allan, Baulderstone, Davis, Chippendale
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Norwood: Smart (head)
