Richard Douglas returned to his 2013 form against North Melbourne in Hobart on Saturday.
Douglas collected 27 disposals to be Adelaide’s (equal) leading-possession getter on the ground. The 2010 Club Champion won more clearances (10) than any other Crow and also generated an equal-game high seven inside 50ms. He laid five tackles and assisted in a goal to be one of his team’s better players in the disappointing seven-point loss.
Scott Thompson also finished with 27 touches in his return from a hamstring complaint. As always, Thompson was strong at the contest, winning seven clearances and laying seven tackles. He sent the ball inside Adelaide’s attacking 50m six times and assisted in a goal.
Young onballer Jarryd Lyons played a cameo up forward, slotting three goals from 14 possessions. Lyons was one of five Crows to kick multiple goals against the Kangaroos. Taylor Walker slotted 2.1 and assisted in another two goals from 13 disposals and six marks. Small forwards Eddie Betts, Matt Wright and Charlie Cameron also kicked two goals apiece.
Wingman Brodie Martin finished with 21 touches and six marks, including a few courageous grabs going back with the flight of the ball in Adelaide’s defence.
Patrick Dangerfield and Brad Crouch both starred in the first half. Dangerfield, who spent time across half-back, collected 15 of his 19 possessions before half time. He also generated seven inside 50ms, four clearances, laid three tackles and assisted in a goal. Crouch finished with 22 touches, eight tackles, five inside 50ms, three clearances and a brilliant left-foot goal in the tense final term. Tough onballer Rory Sloane, who received close attention from the Roos onballers, laid a game-high 10 tackles, won six clearances with his 17 disposals.
The heartbreaking defeat was Adelaide’s sixth by two-goals or fewer this season. It was also the first time since Rounds Two-Three, the Club has lost consecutive games.
The contested-possession count was close on Saturday, but North Melbourne gained the advantage outside the contest, winning the uncontested possession count 222-154.
Match statistics
Disposals
Adelaide –299
North Melbourne – 368
Kicks
Adelaide – 218
North Melbourne – 186
Handballs
Adelaide – 113
North Melbourne – 150
Free Kicks
Adelaide – 15
North Melbourne – 10
Clearances
Adelaide – 38
North Melbourne – 36
Inside 50ms
Adelaide – 57
North Melbourne – 55
Contested Possessions
Adelaide – 136
North Melbourne – 147
Tackles
Adelaide – 63
North Melbourne – 49
Hit-outs
Adelaide – 43
North Melbourne – 39
Interchanges
Adelaide – 117
North Melbourne – 114
