Patrick Dangerfield topped Adelaide’s possession count on Sunday with 28. Of Dangerfield’s 28 disposals, 21 were contested – a Round Six-high (level with Gary Ablett). Dangerfield also had 11 hard-ball gets (Ranked No.2 behind Ablett) seven clearances, seven tackles and six inside 50ms.
After returning as the substitute last week, Tom Lynch was influential in his first full game of the season. The hard-running forward collected 25 touches, seven marks, four inside 50ms and kicked 2.1. He also had four score assists – ranked equal-first in the League in Round Six.
Midfielder Rory Sloane gathered seven of his 18 disposals in a dominant last-quarter display. The courageous Crow also laid seven tackles and took five marks. He kicked a crucial goal in the final term and set up another to Josh Jenkins.
Jenkins and fellow tall forward James Podsiadly were dangerous in attack. Jenkins increased his goal tally over the past three weeks to 11, slotting another three goals against the Dogs. Podsiadly also bagged three goals and handed off another.
Podsiadly and Lynch took four contested marks each on Sunday. Only Gold Coast’s Tom Lynch had more (five). The pair contributed to Adelaide hauling in a Round Six-high 16 contested marks.
Podsiadly and Lynch both also had four marks inside 50m.Podisadly was the most targeted player inside 50m last round, with Crows players going to the experienced tall 13 times. He also laid three forward 50m tackles – ranked equal-third in Round Six.
Adelaide scored from 55.1 per cent of their inside 50ms – ranked No.1 in the competition in Round Six, level with Port Adelaide.
At the other end of the ground, full-back Daniel Talia was at his miserly best. Talia limited the Dogs leading goalkicker, Stewart Crameri, to a solitary goal, which came off hands in a contest in the fourth quarter. Talia also won more possessions than Crameri, 16-13.
Small utility Rory Laird enjoyed some rare midfield minutes against the Dogs. Laird helped Adelaide get on top in the onball battle in third quarter, amassing 11 possessions, four marks, three inside 50ms and two clearances in the third term alone. He finished the match with 19 possessions at 100 per cent efficiency, five marks, five clearances, five inside 50ms, three tackles and two goal assists.
Sam Kerridge held Bulldogs skipper Ryan Griffen to 22 disposals, while Brodie Smith had a team-high seven inside 50ms from his 20 possessions.
Match statistics
Disposals
Adelaide – 349
Bulldogs – 375
Kicks
Adelaide – 194
Bulldogs – 194
Handballs
Adelaide – 155
Bulldogs – 181
Free Kicks
Adelaide – 15
Bulldogs – 19
Clearances
Adelaide – 32
Bulldogs – 36
Inside 50ms
Adelaide – 47
Bulldogs – 49
Contested Possessions
Adelaide – 141
Bulldogs – 147
Tackles
Adelaide – 69
Bulldogs – 61
Hit-outs
Adelaide – 27
Bulldogs – 41
Interchanges
Adelaide – 112
Bulldogs – 105
