Crows get that winning feeling
The Crows have snapped a six-game losing streak, defeating the Swans by seven points at AAMI Stadium
ADELAIDE has snapped a six-game losing streak, overcoming the Sydney Swans by seven points in a low-scoring but engrossing contest at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.
The margin was never more than 13 points in the rain-soaked contest, and only a point separated the teams at three-quarter time.
Skipper Nathan van Berlo put the Crows a goal ahead at the eight-minute mark of the seesawing final quarter, but the desperate Swans regained the lead through a goal to Paul Bevan.
Both teams had opportunities to snatch victory, but young players Rory Sloane and Kurt Tippett held their nerve with set shots at goal in the dying stages of the game, and the home team held on to record an inspiring 8.9 (57) to 6.14 (50) win.
The victory prompted scenes of jubilation from the embattled Adelaide players, who were under pressure to respond following a listless performance against Geelong last weekend.
The Swans skipped out to a handy 12-point lead in the second quarter, but were wasteful in front of goal in the third quarter, managing only five behinds for the term.
The Crows displayed the fight and intensity that had been lacking for the past six weeks, kicking two goals to hit the lead for the first time since the opening stanza of the game.
Swans substitute Andrejs Everitt and influential midfielder Ryan O'Keefe both missed easy shots at goal early in the final term, and the visitors inaccuracy ultimately proved the difference.
The Crows finished the game with three less scoring shots, but converted when it matter to avoid a club-record string of seven losses, and put the Swans' position in the top eight under threat.
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Adelaide: Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs ($305,300) was a surprising top-scorer considering the slippery conditions, with the 203cm giant racking up 36 hit-outs and 17 disposals for 120 DT points.
QUARTER BY QUARTER
FIRST QUARTER
Conditions were not conducive to champagne football at AAMI Stadium, but both teams were attacking the ball with great ferocity in the early stages. Adelaide booted the first goal of the match following a free kick to Kurt Tippett, but from then it was the Sydney Swans who took control. With Jude Bolton burying himself into the packs for the visitors (nine contested possessions for the quarter), the Swans were able to hit the lead midway through the term via goals to Jetta and then Goodes. Ian Callinan kicked a late goal for Adelaide against the flow of play to keep the Crows in touch. The margin just was six points at the first change.
SECOND QUARTER
The struggle resumed in the second quarter as the rain continued to create havoc at AAMI. Tactics and structures were basically out the window by this stage, as both teams were looking for space and distance in the slippery conditions whenever they got hands to the footy. A bombing goal to Ryan O'Keefe for the Swans was answered minutes later by a banana goal from Adelaide's Jared Petrenko. The 21-year-old speedster played on despite being paid a mark 30m out directly in front of goal, but still managed to slip out of trouble and convert the opportunity. The Swans led by seven points at the major break.
THIRD QUARTER
The action heated up after half-time although conditions remained cold and dreary. Kurt Tippett had the footy fall conveniently into his lap in the early minutes, with his second goal for the match making it a one-point game. Suddenly, players from both teams were willing to take the game on and run the lines. Tadhg Kennelly's run was cut short however, with a great chase and tackle from Richard Douglas who was rewarded with a shot on goal. He converted the set shot to give Adelaide the lead for the first time since the opening minutes. Adelaide lead by a point at three-quarter time.
FOURTH QUARTER
A crucial miss early to Ryan O'Keefe at the six-minute mark was a huge let-off for the Crows, as the pace quickened yet again in the final term. A foot race between Swans defender Paul Bevan and Adelaide skipper Nathan van Berlo ended with a skilful collect and goal to the Crows' captain, punishing the Swans' inaccuracy. Bevan soon redeemed himself however with a courageous mark in the goal square, with the resultant goal handing the lead back for the Swans. The game needed a hero, and youngster Rory Sloane stepped up to the plate with a stretching mark inside 50 for Adelaide in the dying stages. The Crows held on to snap a six-game losing streak.
Adelaide 2.1 3.4 5.5 8.8 (57)
Sydney Swans 3.1 4.5 4.10 6.14 (50)
GOALS
Adelaide: Tippett 3, Callinan, Petrenko, Douglas, van Berlo, Sloane
Sydney Swans: Jetta, Goodes, Bird, O'Keefe, Bevan, McGlynn
BEST
Adelaide: Petrenko, Jacobs, Thompson, Tippett, van Berlo, Vince
Sydney Swans: Bolton, O'Keefe, McVeigh, Bevan, Hannebery
INJURIES
Adelaide: None
Sydney Swans: Nick Smith (hamstring soreness) replaced in selected side by Andrejs Everitt, Bolton (elbow hyperextension), Bird (knee)
SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: Matthew Wright replaced by Richard Tambling at half-time
Sydney Swans: Craig Bird (knee) replaced by Andrejs Everitt in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Ritchie, Stevic, McInerney
Official crowd: 23,063 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
