Sam Jacobs received his second Showdown Medal following an influential display on Sunday night.
One of Adelaide’s most consistent performers this season, Jacobs gathered 19 possessions, won 36 hit-outs and six clearances and kicked three crucial goals. Of the former big Crow’s 36 hit-outs, 16 were to advantage – a Round 15 high.
In-form midfielder Scott Thompson was at his hard-nosed best. Thompson collected in excess of 30 disposals (34) for the fifth time in his past seven matches. He won an equal-team high seven clearances, took seven marks and laid seven tackles. The All Australian onballer send the Crows inside 50m on four occasions and also kicked a brilliant snap goal.
Patrick Dangerfield was back to his bullish best. Dangerfield amassed 32 possessions, including 22 contested – second only to Gary Ablett for the round. He generated a game and round-high eight inside 50ms and had more hard-ball gets (12) than any other player on the weekend. Dangerfield won seven clearances and kicked 1.2, including an inspirational running goal from a centre clearance at an important stage of the opening term.
Rising Star runner-up Brad Crouch enjoyed a polished return. In his first AFL game since the Round Two Showdown, Crouch gathered 28 disposals, won six clearances, generated four inside 50ms and kicked a goal to put the Crows 16 points up in the last quarter.
Unassuming midfielder Matthew Wright was instrumental, particularly, in the last quarter. Wright picked up eight of his 22 touches in the final term. He laid six tackles and took five marks, including a saving intercept grab in the dying minutes. The rugged ball winner also smothered the ball which resulted in Crouch’s final-quarter goal.
Rory Sloane helped set the standard for work rate and defensive pressure. Sloane laid a team-high nine tackles to go with 21 touches, four clearances, four rebound 50ms, four inside 50ms and two goal assists. Richard Douglas also worked hard offensively and defensively. Douglas won 23 possessions, four clearances, seven inside 50ms and assisted in a goal.
As he’s done numerous times already this season, Eddie Betts sparked Adelaide in the second half. Betts finished with 4.2 from 19 disposals. He also won four clearances and generated four inside 50ms.
All-Australian contender Daniel Talia overcame a pre-match back complaint to keep Coleman Medal leader Jay Schulz to two goals from a mere 10 possessions. Talia won 13 touches, seven rebound 50ms and five marks of his own and also provided great support to his fellow young defenders.
Adelaide’s inexperienced defence, which included Talia, Luke Brown and Luke Thompson, combined to keep dangerous forwards Robbie Gray, Chad Wingard and Angus Monfries goalless. Andy Otten held swingman Justin Westhoff, who was forced into defence in the second half, to just goal.
As a result of strong team defence, the Crows limited Port Adelaide to its second-lowest score, 10.16 (76), for the season and held the Power goalless in a quarter (third) for the first time this season. The 23-point defeat was Port Adelaide’s biggest of 2014.
Match statistics
Disposals
Adelaide – 365
Port Adelaide – 339
Kicks
Adelaide – 220
Port Adelaide – 192
Handballs
Adelaide – 145
Port Adelaide – 147
Clearances
Adelaide – 44
Port Adelaide – 44
Inside 50ms
Adelaide – 59
Port Adelaide – 56
Contested Possessions
Adelaide – 163
Port Adelaide – 133
Tackles
Adelaide – 66
Port Adelaide – 91
Hit-outs
Adelaide – 43
Port Adelaide – 49
Interchanges
Adelaide – 106
Port Adelaide – 104
