Rory Sloane gathered a season-high 32 disposals in Adelaide’s win over Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium on Saturday.
Sloane (32) was the leading possession-getter on the ground. The hard-running midfielder also took nine marks, won a team-high six clearances and laid five tackles. He was involved in a total of 10 Crows scores, including two goals of his own.
Rising Star runner-up Brad Crouch also had 10 score involvements (ranked sixth in the AFL for the round). Crouch gathered 24 possessions at 87.5 per cent efficiency and laid a game-high seven tackles. He took five marks, generated five inside 50ms and won four clearances to go with 1.1.
Of Eddie Betts’ 15 possessions, nine led to Adelaide’s scores, including a bag of five of his own. Betts has kicked 15 goals in his past four outings – ranked third in the AFL in this period and 10th overall this season, with 33 goals. He also ranks third in the League for score assists (26) this year.
Forward James Podsiadly was also instrumental in Adelaide’s 68-point win. Podsiadly hauled in a career-high 11 marks, including four inside attacking 50m, and slotted 3.1. He’s now kicked multiple goals in three of his last four games for a season total of 20.
Matthew Wright continued his run of good form, finishing with 20 possessions, seven marks, three inside 50ms and two goals. Brodie Martin also played a good game, recording 22 touches, five tackles, five inside 50ms, four marks and a goal. Ricky Henderson made an encouraging return in his first AFL game since August last year. Henderson generated plenty of drive from defence, racking up 22 touches, seven marks and generating a team-high six inside 50ms. He also gained more metres (630) than any other player on the ground.
Defenders Matthew Jaensch and Luke Brown also used their precise foot skills to rebound out of defence. Both operated at 100 per cent disposal efficiency against the Giants. Jaensch collected 19 disposals, five marks and four rebound 50ms. Brown also got involved in the general play, gathering 18 possessions, five inside 50ms and a goal assist. He also laid four tackles.
Despite the early loss of veteran Ben Rutten to concussion, Adelaide’s back six held firm. The Crows held an inaccurate GWS goalless in the first term and conceded only two goals in the second quarter. Ironically, the Giants finished with the same number of points (72) on Saturday as they did against Adelaide in Round Five.
Andy Otten stepped up in the absence of Rutten, limiting key Giant Jon Patton to one goal while gathering 19 possessions and five marks of his own. Daniel Talia held All Australian forward Jeremy Cameron goalless before switching to the forward line because of a corked buttock. Cameron kicked a late goal against another Crows opponent.
The win maintained Adelaide’s perfect record (5-0) against Greater Western Sydney. The Crows recorded consecutive victories for the first time since April to get ahead of the win-loss ledger (8-7) for the maiden time this season.
Match statistics
Disposals
Adelaide – 384
GWS – 335
Kicks
Adelaide – 212
GWS – 182
Handballs
Adelaide – 172
GWS – 153
Free Kicks
Adelaide – 12
GWS – 25
Clearances
Adelaide – 32
GWS – 39
Inside 50ms
Adelaide – 66
GWS – 46
Contested Possessions
Adelaide – 140
GWS – 127
Tackles
Adelaide – 47
GWS – 56
Hit-outs
Adelaide – 34
GWS – 38
Interchanges
Adelaide – 108
GWS – 115
