An inexperienced Adelaide has fallen to West Adelaide by 37 points in Saturday night’s SANFL clash at Richmond Oval.
The SANFL Crows were within six points of the battle-hardened Bloods in the early minutes of the third term, but fell away late in the game as West Adelaide ran out 12.7 (79) to 6.6 (42) winners.
Tough midfielder Jarryd Lyons battled gamely for Adelaide with 26 possessions and eight clearances in another impressive performance at SANFL level.
Draftee Riley Knight (24 disposals, one goal) and skilful left-footer Rory Atkins (20 disposals, four inside 50ms) were also amongst the Crows’ best, while Angus Graham was the most dominant ruckman on the ground amassing a match-high 32 hit-outs.
Luke Thompson, who led the side in the absence of SANFL captain Ian Callinan, fought tirelessly in defence as did namesake Matt Thompson and tough midfielder James Battersby.
Adelaide fielded a youthful side against the Bloods in perfect conditions at Richmond Oval, with just five players with AFL experience representing the side. Development Crows Bradley Merrett, Tom Hughes, Addison Burns and Tom Carroll all made their first SANFL appearances for Adelaide but did not look out of place at league level.
Eventually however, it was the experienced heads at West Adelaide that guided the Bloods to victory despite a gallant effort from Adelaide’s young SANFL squad.
Adelaide’s Addison Burns booted the first major of the game after a fantastic lead-up play from Tyson Davis-Neale to give the Crows the early break.
The Bloods responded swiftly with two goals apiece to Travis Tuck and ex-Crow Chris Schmidt giving the home side a healthy 25-point buffer at the first change.
The game became an arm wrestle in the second quarter as Adelaide clawed its way back and began to match the Bloods physically around the contest.
A courageous defensive mark from Rory Atkins sparked the Crows, with the hard running of Riley Knight providing Adelaide the first goal of the term at the 15-minute mark.
The Crows held West Adelaide goalless for the quarter as Adelaide continued to tighten the clamps. A classy snap at goal from rookie Alex Spina in red time handed the Crows the momentum as the visitors trailed by just 12 points at the main break.
Adelaide then inched to within a goal of the lead when Shaun McKernan steered through his first major early in the third term, as the Crows looked like overrunning the Bloods after the main break.
But the ascendency shifted violently back to the home side thereafter, as West Adelaide’s Taite Silverlock and Aaron Fielke guided the Bloods to the club’s second consecutive victory and condemned the SANFL Crows to a 1-5 record after six rounds.
The loss was further soured with young Crow Alex Spina suffering a medial sprain to his right knee in the final quarter. Forward Lewis Johnston was withdrawn from the clash pre-game after suffering a finger injury at training.
Adelaide SANFL assistant coach Tate Kaesler said consistency remains the priority for the young SANFL Crows.
“We looked good in patches tonight, but just couldn’t string together four quarters of footy,” Kaesler told afc.com.au post-match.
“Westies had a good win last week and we were able to go with them for periods tonight. It’s a great sign for our young guys to show that quality of play, but again it just comes back to that consistency.
“The SANFL is a tight competition at the moment and unless you can produce a full four-quarter effort, it’s not going to get the job done.”
Adelaide’s next assignment will be against reigning premiers Norwood in a Friday night blockbuster at The Parade.
ADELAIDE 2.0 4.2 5.3 6.6 (42)
WEST ADELAIDE 6.1 6.2 11.4 12.7 (79)
GOALS
Adelaide: Burns, Robinson, Knight, Spina, McKernan, Carroll
West Adelaide: Fielke 3, Silverlock 2, Tuck 2, Schmidt 2, Nelson, Milne, Fisher
BEST
Adelaide: Lyons, L. Thompson, Ellis-Yolmen, Knight, Graham, M. Thompson
West Adelaide: Beech, Caire, Macreadie, Hartlett, Tuck
INJURIES
Adelaide: Lewis Johnston (finger) withdrawn from selected side, Spina (knee sprain)
