Brad and Matt Crouch have led Adelaide to an inspired victory over Woodville-West Torrens by 48 points on Saturday afternoon.
In their first-ever match together as Crows, the pair formed a magnificent tandem in the midfield against the battle-hardened Eagles to lead Adelaide to a remarkable 16.15 (111) to 9.9 (63) victory.
The siblings gathered 31 disposals apiece and combined for 14 clearances against the equal-top Eagles. Older brother Brad starred in particular in his first match back from a fractured leg suffered in the Showdown back in Round Two.
Clever forward Gene Robinson slotted a match-high five goals for Adelaide, while SANFL skipper Ian Callinan bagged three majors from 25 disposals.
Shaun McKernan was at his dominant best in the absence of Angus Graham, who was a late withdrawal with an illness, notching 30 hit-outs and seven marks in a herculean effort in the ruck.
Jason Porplyzia also produced his best performance of the season to finish with 31 possessions and nine marks in a vintage display.
It was the first time the Crows have won consecutive games this season, moving Adelaide into seventh position on the SANFL ladder overnight. On the contrary, it was only the Eagles' second loss for the year and their first defeat since Round Three.
It was a free-flowing and high-scoring contest in the opening half as both sides used run and carry to great effect.
Robinson booted the opening goal for the visitors, however Woodville-West Torrens responded with a string of three goals to pull away to a 14-point lead by the 10-minute mark.
The hardness of the Crouch brothers in close fed the class of Atkins and Knight on the outside as Porplyzia and Grigg began to work their way into the game. Back-to-back majors to Callinan and Grigg saw the Crows snatch a five-point lead at quarter time.
Woodville-West Torrens responded immediately after the break through Allmond and Wundke to reclaim the lead briefly, but the poise and maturity of Crow youngsters James Battersby, Alex Spina and Matt Crouch saw Adelaide wrestle back momentum.
AFL-listed defenders Brent Reilly (30 disposals, 17 marks) and Kyle Hartigan (17 disposals, 13 marks) stamped their authority on the match after half time and provided plenty of rebound for the Crows off half back.
Scoring became more difficult as the game wore on as the match grew into a battle of attrition, however it was Adelaide which eventually broke the shackes. The Crows scored seven goals to two in the second half, including a string of five unanswered majors in the final term, to run away convincing winners.
Adelaide State League coach Heath Younie said he was proud of his side's performance against an in-form Eagles outfit.
“The team just pulled together today and really stood up against one of the premier sides in the competition,” Younie said post-match.
“We were really happy in particular with our development players. Guys like Sam Pfeiffer, Addison Burns, Gene Robinson and Michael O’Malley were outstanding today against quality opposition.”
Younie said it was no surprise to see the Crouch brothers finish together alongside Jason Porplyzia as the equal highest possession-winners of the clash.
“They are very impressive young men and they leave nothing to chance in their preparations,” Younie said.
“In terms of professionalism and pride in performance, those two are probably up there amongst the best with some of our veterans at the Club.”
“It’s a great sign for the future to see them play well today, but I’m more pleased for the entire team to get the win.”
ADELAIDE 6.2 9.8 11.12 16.15 (111)
WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS 5.3 7.4 8.8 9.9 (63)
GOALS
Adelaide: Robinson 5, Callinan 3, Grigg 2, Atkins, Burns, Battersby, Spina, Porplyzia, Knight
Woodville-West Torrens: Grocke 3, Wundke 2, Jarrad, Powell, Allmond, Lloyd
BEST
Adelaide: McKernan, Reilly, Porplyzia, Robinson, Hartigan, M. Crouch, O’Malley, Grigg
Woodville-West Torrens: Boyd, Lewis, Jarrad, Kane
INJURIES
Adelaide: Angus Graham (illness) and Sam Siggins (general soreness) withdrawn pre-match
Woodville-West Torrens: Nil
