A last quarter fightback from the SANFL Crows wasn’t enough to close a big three-quarter time deficit, going down to Woodville-West Torrens by 45 points on Sunday afternoon.
The Crows started well and led at quarter-time, but struggled to get the ball cleanly inside 50 for the next two quarters.
They improved in the last term and won the quarter, but it wasn’t enough as the Eagles won 16.10 (106) to 9.7 (61).
Andy Otten led the defence with 14 disposals, six marks and six rebound 50s and was well supported by Jake Kelly (26 touches and 10 marks).
Usual forward Darcy Fogarty switched to defence and impressed, with 16 disposals, nine marks and six spoils.
Matthew Signorello did well through the midfield with 24 disposals, seven clearances and five tackles, alongside Myles Poholke who had 23 touches, eight clearances and kicked two goals.
Mitch McGovern kicked two goals and took six marks, including a big pack mark in the first quarter, in his return from injury.
State League coach Ryan O’Keefe said the team simply didn’t play four quarters of football against the Eagles.
“We started well and finished well, but in between was poor,” O’Keefe said.
“We just got beaten in the contest really badly in the second and third quarters and once we got beaten in the contest, we got beaten in the spread and we just didn’t get the ball.
“The positive thing is that in the last quarter they came out with some intent and effort and in the last quarter we were +10 contested possession, +19 uncontested possession and it was four goals to one.”
O’Keefe said a number of the AFL-listed players stood up during the game.
“Fogarty had a role down back and he did really well, Otto was really good down back,” he said.
“Inside in our midfield, Wilson, Poholke, Signorello, they all competed, they fought pretty well.”
Forward Ben Davis sat out the second half with an ankle injury and will be assessed during the week.
ADELAIDE 3.1 3.2 5.5 9.7 (61)
EAGLES 2.2 8.7 15.10 16.10 (106)
GOALS:
Adelaide: Himmelberg 2, McGovern 2, Poholke 2, Edwards, Hadden, Hunter
Eagles: Hayes 3, Johansen 3, Borholm 2, Lewis 2, Sharrad 2, Boyd, Petrenko, Rose, Rowland
BEST: Otten, Poholke, Himmelberg, McGovern, Signorello, Wilson, Fogarty
