Spearheaded by skipper Taylor Walker and Eddie Betts, Adelaide has survived a final-term fightback by Greater Western Sydney to finish 22-point victors at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, 15.17 (107) to 13.7 (85).

Walker and Betts kicked five goals each as the Crows had a 46-point three-quarter time lead cut to just 17 minutes before the final siren.

The Giants were well-served by Dylan Shiel (29 disposals, two goals), Josh Kelly (29) and Stephen Coniglio (30) and booted five final-term goals to one to scare the home side.

Richard Douglas (seven clearances) and Jarryd Lyons (seven) were terrific for the Crows on the inside, Rory Atkins (28 disposals), Brodie Smith (26) and Josh Jenkins (three goal assists) were also influential while Kyle Cheney and Kyle Hartigan were staunch in defence.

Crows coach Don Pyke said his side’s eight-goal third quarter showcased its best, but that the frantic finish wasn’t great for his stress levels.

“We were able to play some really good, strong footy for the majority of the night,” Pyke said.

“In the third quarter things clicked … we got some space and started connecting.

“To GWS’ credit they kept coming and we were able to at least hold them off at the end which was pleasing, but it wasn’t good for the ticker.”

The Five: Round 10

Adelaide dominated the opening term with Walker slotting three early majors.

While the home side continued to control the midfield through Sam Jacobs and Scott Thompson early in the second quarter, it remained largely unable to finish that work up forward. After kicking 4.6 in the first quarter, the Crows could only add 2.5 in the second as the Giants closed in.

The likes of Shiel, Coniglio and Kelly were winning plenty of possession and in attack the Giants were able to find multiple avenues to goal; Jack Steele squeezed a set shot through to narrow the deficit to 14 points before Shiel and then Jacob Hopper drew their side to within two points at half-time.

Betts booted his second major to offer the Crows some breathing space and added a third at the 18-minute mark of the third quarter; he was lighting up but his best was yet to come.

From the same pocket in which he booted last year’s goal of the year, Betts trapped the ball on the boundary line with his foot and while running out of bounds but holding the ball in the field of play, evaded an opponent before stepping in and snapping yet another contender.

Even by Betts’ incredible standards it was a stunning example of his football instinct.

Trailing by 46 points heading into the final term, the Giants had to score in bulk and they had to do it quickly.

Rory Lobb and Tom Scully managed to peg two goals back, Toby Greene added a third for the quarter before Scully converted again; the home crowd had been silenced as the Giants steamrolled their way to the final siren.

Greene dribbled home another to reduce to margin to just 17 points, but a lengthy delay for injured Giant Adam Kennedy stemmed his side’s momentum and Betts to iced the game with his fifth goal from point-blank range.

Giants coach Leon Cameron said he was happy his side pushed hard late, but that the game was lost prior to three-quarter time.

"They were clearly better than us for the first three quarters, and we only had some patches,” Cameron said.

“The guys, I thought they really hung in.

“I challenged them at three-quarter time to win the last quarter in a couple of statistics ... one was to win contested ball, where we (were) blown away in the first three quarters."

 

 

 

MEDICAL ROOM

Adelaide: The Crows managed to claim the win and survive without any injuries to speak of. A few players appeared to be limping at stages throughout the game but all were able to finish the match and all will be available for next week.

Greater Western Sydney: The main concern was Adam Kennedy, who fell heavily on his shoulder and head late in the game after flying high over Eddie Betts. The word out of the Giants' camp was that he suffered a delayed concussion, so he’ll be closely monitored throughout the week.

NEXT UP

Adelaide host St Kilda next Sunday and while the Saints have proven themselves tougher opponents than many tipped them to be, the Crows would fancy their chances of posting a third-straight win. The Giants face a tough ask of maintaining their top-four position, facing Geelong at Simonds Stadium - one of the toughest trips in football.


ADELAIDE                                 4.6   6.11   14.13   15.17 (107)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY    2.1   7.3     8.3      13.7 (85)

GOALS
Adelaide: Walker, Betts 5, Jenkins, Sloane, Milera, Lyons, McGovern
Greater Western Sydney: Greene 3, Steele, Scully 2, Cameron, Hopper, Tomlinson, Kelly, Steele, Lobb

BEST
Adelaide: Walker, Betts, Thompson, Atkins, Sloane, Talia, Lever, Douglas
Greater Western Sydney: Shiel, Kelly, Coniglio, Scully, Greene, Haynes

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Greater Western Sydney: Kennedy (concussion/shoulder)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Schmidt, Chamberlain, Wallace

Official crowd: 46,737, at Adelaide Oval