Brodie Smith amassed a career-high 30 disposals and 12 marks in Adelaide’s big win over St Kilda.
Playing on the wing, Smith was instrumental in Adelaide’s transition from attack to defence. The in-form 22-year-old gained a round-high 747 metres – the third-highest recorded by any player in a game this season. He operated at an efficiency of 80 per cent and chalked up 122 Fantasy points. The polished display earned Smith seven votes from the coaches.
On the opposite wing, David Mackay was also at his damaging best. Mackay collected 29 possessions – his best return since 2009 – at an elite 93.1 per cent efficiency. The line-breaking onballer kicked two goals and had a total of 12 score involvements – the most of any Crow on Sunday. He had a team-high four running bounces and generated five inside 50ms on his way to 120 Fantasy points.
Veteran midfielder Scott Thompson was back to his combative best. After being subbed with a corked thigh last week, Thompson responded to amass a team-high 32 possessions. He also racked up eight marks, seven tackles, six clearances and five inside 50ms. Rory Sloane also found plenty of the ball, finishing with 30 disposals including a team-high 13 contested. He also generated seven inside 50ms, six clearances, laid five tackles and kicked 1.1.
Providing silver service to the Crows midfielders was ruckman Sam Jacobs. Jacobs was far too good for young Saints ruckman Billy Longer, collecting 22 disposals, 39 hit-outs and seven marks. He was involved in 36 per cent of Adelaide’s scores against St Kilda. ‘Sauce’ is the No.3 ranked ruckman in the League this season (behind Shane Mumford and Aaron Sandilands) according to Champion Data points.
For the third week in a row, Sam Kerridge shut down his direct opponent. Kerridge limited Saints ball magnet Leigh Montagna to a season-low 17 possessions, while gathering 13 touches and a goal of his own.
Forward Josh Jenkins kicked an equal-career best four goals in a dominant display. The athletic tall also gathered 16 possessions, 11 marks and five inside 50ms. Fellow key forward James Podsiadly kicked three goals and assisted in another.
The Crows only conceded 28 points to the Saints from turnovers – the lowest of any team in Round Four. Instead, it was the Saints who coughed the ball up under pressure on Sunday. Adelaide ramped up its defensive pressure across the ground, scoring 81 of its 136 points from St Kilda turnovers.
Six Crows goals were scored from within 15 metres – a reflection of their forward line pressure.
Match statistics
Disposals
Adelaide – 421
St Kilda – 337
Kicks
Adelaide – 242
St Kilda – 185
Handballs
Adelaide – 179
St Kilda – 152
Free Kicks
Adelaide – 9
St Kilda – 9
Clearances
Adelaide – 37
St Kilda – 37
Inside 50ms
Adelaide – 53
St Kilda – 48
Contested Possessions
Adelaide – 126
St Kilda – 126
Tackles
Adelaide – 67
St Kilda – 57
Hit-outs
Adelaide – 43
St Kilda – 30
Interchanges
Adelaide – 119
St Kilda – 107
