ADELAIDE'S 16-point win over Port Adelaide on Sunday afternoon has been soured, with emerging midfielder Brodie Smith suffering a suspected broken collarbone.
Smith landed heavily after attempting a tackle early in the first half of the round one NAB Cup clash, and left the AAMI Stadium field immediately.
He spent the rest of the game on the bench with his left arm in a sling, watching the Crows atone for an underwhelming game one loss to St Kilda with a spirited performance.
With both teams resting several senior stars, the contest was played out between two inexperienced line-ups, and it was Adelaide which finished the day stronger in trying conditions, winning 6.7 (43) to 4.3 (27).
Big man Josh Jenkins was a standout for the victors, putting his hand up to fill the forward line spot vacated by Kurt Tippett with two goals and a series of strong marks.His haul could have been far greater if not for some wayward kicking in front of goal.
Led by the new No.4, Adelaide attacked the ball hard and put three first-half goals on the board to Port Adelaide's one.
The Power refused to give in during a back-and-forth second half, but Brenton Sanderson's team was able to defend its lead, leaving each of the competing teams with one win and one loss for the day.
Richard Tambling was busy up and down the wing for the Crows, with Aiden Riley and Matthew Wright also finding plenty of the ball.
Looking a different team to the energetic, slick outfit that demolished St Kilda in game two, the Power were determined but lacked run and struggled to hit targets.
Inexperienced forward Aaron Young tried hard, as did former Bomber Angus Monfries and recruit Kane Mitchell.
There was controversy on the day too, after the AFL decided not to enact its extreme heat rules despite 38-degree temperatures.
The League had the power to reduce each half to 15 minutes, but chose instead to retain the standard 20-minute halves.
Following Sunday's results, Collingwood now sits alone atop the NAB Cup ladder as the only undefeated team at the mid-point of round one.
ADELAIDE 0.1.2 0.6.7 (43)
PORT ADELAIDE 0.3.3 0.4.3 (27)
SUPERGOALS
Port Adelaide: Nil
Adelaide: Nil
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Young, O'Shea, Monfries, Ah Chee
Adelaide: Jenkins 2, Brown, Lyons, Henderson, Douglas
BEST
Port Adelaide: Young, Monfries, Mitchell, Cornes
Adelaide: Jenkins, Tambling, Wright, Riley, Lyons
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Nil
Adelaide: Smith (collarbone)
