HE MAY not sport Taylor Walker's mullet or possess Kurt Tippett's frame but Tom Lynch could be the key forward Adelaide has been craving after a stunning performance against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.
The redheaded 22-year-old had a breakout day at Skoda Stadium, kicking 10 goals in the Crows' 29.13 (187) to 7.10 (52) annihilation of the young Giants.
It was a Mother's Day masterpiece from a man who had previously kicked just 13 goals in 15 career games with St Kilda and the Crows.
With Tippett now plying his trade with the Sydney Swans and Walker (knee) sidelined for the year, Lynch could be an answer to coach Brenton Sanderson's worries in front of goal.
His haul was the biggest this season, comfortably passing Travis Cloke's seven against Richmond, and the Crows' best since Tony Modra kicked 10 twice in the 1993 season.
The 191cm forward was the star attraction in a commanding Crows performance that gave their hopes of a second straight top-four finish a badly needed boost.
Patrick Dangerfield (28 possessions, four goals) also proved lethal up forward and Josh Jenkins (four goals) and Sam Kerridge (three) played their parts for the Crows.
"Take Tom's 10 (goals) out and it was a really even contribution from our squad," Sanderson said afterwards.
"We didn't have any passengers, everyone played their role and I was pleased we kept the foot on the throat, ruthless right through to the end.
"That was impressive."
ADELAIDE'S HIGHEST AFL SCORES
30.8 (188) v Essendon, round 10, 2006
29.13 (187) v GWS, round 7, 2013
29.11 (185) v Richmond, round 17, 1997
28.12 (180) v North Melbourne, round 24, 1991
28.10 (178) v Richmond, round 1, 1993
27.16 (178) v GWS, round 16, 2012
27.14 (176) v Carlton, round 22, 2009
It was a dark day for the Giants, however, who suffered the second-heaviest defeat in their short history and were unable to follow up last week's competitive showing against Essendon.
Jeremy Cameron kicked three goals and Adam Tomlinson (21 possessions, 14 marks) played the best game of his short career, but it was a day to forget in front of a disappointing crowd of just 5,830.
THE GIANTS' HEAVIEST DEFEATS
162 points v Hawthorn, round 15, 2012
135 points v Adelaide, round 7, 2013
129 points v North Melbourne, round 12, 2012
The Giants had plenty of possession and were competitive around the stoppages to start the game but their forward entries left plenty to be desired.
GWS led the inside 50 count 14-12 at quarter-time, but could only manage four behinds to Adelaide's 4.5.
The Giants then made a positive start to the second quarter, with Callan Ward and Jonathan Giles kicking goals to quickly close the margin to just 12 points.
But that was as good as it got for the home side, with the Crows suddenly sparking into life, booting 7.2 without reply over the next 22 minutes to turn a tight contest into a 55-point lead at the main break.
From that point on, Lynch's final goal tally and Adelaide's winning margin were the main points of interest.
Glum GWS coach Kevin Sheedy was blunt when asked what sort of day he had expected.
"A better day than that," he said. "We were vey disappointing today. We've played with a lot more spirit than we did today.
"I felt at quarter-time we could've had two or three goals on the board, but we didn't use the ball that well.
"We didn't even score at some stages when we did have shots. Normally we're a bit better than that and I don't know why we were off in that area.
"It was a generous donation to Adelaide's percentage today, there's no doubt about that."
