MELBOURNE has kicked off its NAB Cup campaign with a 10-point a win over an inexperienced Adelaide side in game one of the triple-header at AAMI Stadium.
The Demons conceded the opening goal of the match, but kicked four unanswered majors prior to the half-time break to set up the win 0.5.4 (34) to 0.3.6 (24).
Small forward Addam Maric kicked two goals for the visitors, while third-year Crow Shaun McKernan slotted two of his side's three goals.
Melbourne livewire Liam Jurrah (1.2 and one scoring assist) showed moments of brilliance with a dash down the outer wing and a mark from an impressive standing vertical leap, while Col Garland (11 possessions), Jack Grimes (11 possessions) and Brad Green (10 possessions and a goal) were instrumental.
Patrick Dangerfield starred with 15 possessions for the home side and Andy Otten made a successful comeback from a knee reconstruction, notching up 12 touches in the 40-minute game.
The Crows started the better of the two sides but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard, kicking one goal in the first half.
The Demons conceded the opening major of the game, but steadied halfway through the term courtesy of Grimes, Garland, Stef Martin and Aaron Davey.
The Adelaide defence, minus Ben Rutten, Scott Stevens and Michael Doughty, came unstuck under pressure and gifted two goals to Melbourne forwards Maric and Jack Watts.
The Demons carried on the momentum, adding another two goals to lead by 18 points at the main break.
McKernan kicked a goal in the opening few minutes of the second half to give Adelaide a sniff, but a second goal to Maric secured a rare win at AAMI Stadium for Melbourne.
Adelaide 0.1.3 0.3.6 (24)
Melbourne 0.4.3 0.5.4 (34)
GOALS: Adelaide: Nine-point goals: (none) Goals: McKernan 2, Douglas. Melbourne: Nine-point goals: (none) Goals: Maric 2, Watts, Green, Jurrah
BEST: Adelaide: Dangerfield, Otten, McKernan, Davis, Smith. Melbourne: Grimes, Green, Martin, Garland, Maric, Jamar
INJURIES: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
UMPIRES: Vozzo, Nicholls, Armstrong
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
