Missed opportunities – not limited rotations - cost Adelaide the win in its opening SANFL clash of the season against North Adelaide, says emerging ruckman Reilly O’Brien.
The State League Crows were in control for much of the contest on Saturday afternoon at Prospect Oval. Adelaide looked likely to chalk its first win of the season when the visitors built a game-high lead of 22 points late in the third term.
But injuries to key talls James Podsiadly (back) and Harry Dear (shoulder) within a matter of minutes meant the Crows were restricted to just one player on the interchange bench for nearly the entire second half.
North Adelaide upped its own game in the final term to boot four of the last five goals of the match to storm home three-point winners. Adelaide’s final three scores of the game, on the other hand, were all behinds.
O’Brien said the Crows had only themselves to blame for the heartbreaking loss.
“We’ve had a big pre-season so we were confident that we had the legs to cover those injuries in that last quarter,” O’Brien told afc.com.au.
“But unfortunately they got a bit of a run on, kicked a few goals, and we missed a couple of opportunities that we really should’ve taken.
“The boys put in a really big effort, and they (Podsiadly and Dear) were definitely in our minds in that last quarter.
“That final term was very intense. We had the lead for so long but just couldn’t hold on in the end.”
Although the Roosters won the match, it was Adelaide who took charge in the midfield for much of the contest.
Scott Thompson (29 disposals), Matt Crouch (23) and Jarryd Lyons (20) were strong in close and combined for 32 clearances between them. North Adelaide recorded 36 clearances as a team for the game.
The Crows also won the ruck duel, with O’Brien (36 hit-outs, two goals) and fellow rookie Jack Osborn (17 hit-outs, two goals) making their presence felt in the centre square and up forward.
O’Brien said the Crows needed to make more of their midfield dominance in future matches.
“Our midfield was pretty good today I thought,” he said.
“With Thommo, Crouchy, and Jarryd Lyons all in there – it’s obviously an elite midfield. That made it pretty easy for me in the ruck all day.
“But North got us on the rebound and sometimes we were a bit too slow to man up. They were very quick with the ball, and then we also made a few poor decisions going forward.
“North are a very good team and they got us in the end.”
Barely four months into his career as a Crow, O’Brien has already shown plenty of promise.
The 201cm ruckman performed well in Adelaide’s first two NAB Challenge hit-outs and again excelled in the No.1 ruck position on Saturday afternoon.
O’Brien gathered 14 disposals and booted two goals – his first being an incredible snap straight out of a stoppage from deep in the pocket at the Southern end.
“I didn’t know what I was doing. I just grabbed it and had a ping,” O’Brien said.
“I haven’t kicked many goals so far this year, so it was good to get a couple today.”
The Calder Cannons product also has experience as a key backman in his junior days, but admits the ruck role remains his favourite.
“I love playing in the ruck, It’s my preferred position,” O’Brien said.
“I just love the contest in there. It’s a good position because you’re always in the thick of it and always have a chance to impact the game.
“Hopefully I can continue to improve, add a few more strings to my bow and contribute a bit more around the ground.”
