ADELAIDE unearthed some promising tall players while burying Collingwood by 81 points in a one-sided NAB Cup opener in Dubai.
The Crows beat the disappointing Magpies 4.15.10 (136) to 0.7.13 (55) in the United Arab Emirates, the match played on a converted polo field in desert-like surrounds at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club just to the south west of the capital.
The victory was set up by a one-sided second quarter, in which Adelaide outscored Collingwood 56 points to eight, booting two nine-point "super goals" and six regular goals to the Magpies' solitary six-pointer for the term.
After leading by 47 points at the main break, it was smooth sailing for the Crows in the second half, with Collingwood offering little fight.
Adelaide had plenty of winners around the ground and outran the Magpies, many of whom had been affected by illness in the lead-up, with Crows running the ball down the field in swarms a regular sight.
New captain Simon Goodwin, playing up forward, was in fine form, booting a goal in each quarter, including a nine-pointer midway through his side's second quarter onslaught.
Midfielders Scott Thompson, Jason Porplyzia and Chris Knights were all strong performers, while key defenders Ben Rutten and Nathan Bock controlled their positions.
But of most promise for Adelaide were the good showings from young ruck trio Ivan Maric, Kurt Tippett and Brad Moran and young tall forward James Sellar.
Athletic ex-basketballer Tippett and 18-year-old, 196cm forward Sellar are both yet to make their AFL debuts, Moran was in his first outing for the Crows after being traded from the Kangaroos in the off-season, while Maric has just 14 senior games to his name.
Sellar took a string of early marks and finished with three goals in an impressive performance in a side that has lacked forward firepower in recent seasons, an even bigger concern with last year's leading goalkicker Scott Welsh having been traded to the Western Bulldogs.
The ruck is an area in which it is even more important that the Crows have youngsters stand up, with number one ruckman Rhett Biglands set to miss a second consecutive season after a recent knee injury, and the trading of fellow ruckman Ben Hudson to the Bulldogs.
But the Crows' young ruck trio showed some good signs, with Tippett and Maric having the better of Collingwood pair Josh Fraser and Chris Bryan to help set up Adelaide's control and also each kicking a goal in the second term.
Moran also looked solid in spells in the ruck, after Tippett was stationed in the forward line.
From Collingwood's point of view, there was little to take out of the game, with their only real highlights coming in the opening term, with quality goals to Ben Reid - a clever left-foot snap - and Paul Medhurst, a brilliant running goal from 45m tight on the boundary.
Heath and Rhyce Shaw provided some run out of defence and were the Magpies' two best players.
Adelaide coach Neil Craig said his team got out of the game what they wanted to.
"We did, it gave us an opportunity to play new players," he said.
"I think it needs to be said though, that when you're playing a side that's been away for three weeks overseas and had some sickness as well.
"Having said that, we were really pleased with what we saw from our pre-season.
"Overall I think it's been a good hit-out for both clubs and a great day for the AFL."
Craig said he was happy with the positioning of Goodwin and Andrew McLeod in attack and also with the work of younger players who spent more time in the midfield as a result.
Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse said the Magpies simply came up against a side that was extraordinarily fit and well-drilled for such an early stage of the year.
“They're a super-fit side, they train at a level that is quite extraordinary through January, February and perhaps even before Christmas and the precision of their foot and handpassing exposed probably our lack of intensity in the first game," he said.
"They were able to cut through us pretty quickly, but I think the most important thing that comes out of this game is playing Adelaide you've probably played the fittest and most correct side in the competition.
"We probably have time now to bolt down the areas that are good and open up the areas that aren't and see if we can work with those."
Malthouse said the advantage of bombing out so early in the competition was that Collingwood now had plenty of time to work on their weaknesses and prepare for the opening of the home and away season.
The match was the only NAB Cup game this weekend, with the remaining seven first-round matches to be played next weekend.
Collingwood 3.3 (21) 4.5 (29) 7.10 (52) 7.13 (55)
Adelaide 3.2 (20) 2.9.4 (76) 2.12.7 (97) 4.15.10 (136)
