A BACK to basics approach paid off for Adelaide as it snapped a five-game losing streak with a 24-point win against the Sydney Swans at the SCG on Saturday night.
The Crows essentially beat the Swans at their own game, with a combination of relentless tackling and exhausting running reaping the four points, 11.11 (77) to 6.17 (53).
Jason Porplyzia, whose five goals provided a spark that the Michael O'Loughlin-less Swans couldn't match, covered Brett Burton's absence.
Ben Rutten blanketed Barry Hall (one last-quarter goal) in his much-hyped return from a club-imposed suspension, leaving the prolific Ryan O'Keefe to do too much of his work away from goal.
Andrew McLeod returned to his creative best at half back, while Bernie Vince, Chris Knights and Tyson Edwards added drive through the midfield.
But flashes of brilliance from Porplyzia aside, the contest was a dour struggle that offered scant reward for the neutral fan.
The opening 15 minutes in all first three quarters were goal-free, and the third quarter produced just seven behinds in its remarkably short 24 minutes.
But there was no sign of what was to come in the first term, when Darren Jolly drifted forward for the game's opening major.
It took a clever snap from fourth-gamer Bryce Campbell to open the Crows' account after 20 minutes.
The youngster's accuracy seemed to spark his fellow forwards into action, and goals to Simon Goodwin and Nick Gill followed within three minutes.
Not to be outdone, the Swans replied through Luke Ablett, but the Crows finished the quarter with a deserved nine-point lead.
The second term failed to provide an improved spectacle on an SCG surface rendered slippery by heavy rain late in the week, but both coaches would have been pleased with their players' defensive efforts.
Porplyzia took advantage of the dewy turf to extend the Crows' lead after turning Ted Richards in the forward 50 and marking unopposed.
A fortunate free kick to Goodwin pushed the visitors out to a 20-point lead, but it didn't last long, as successive goals to Swans youngsters Craig Bird and Matt O'Dwyer (his first in the AFL) tightened the game up again.
As though somehow slighted by the Swans' resurgence, Adelaide's young guns produced some silk of their own when David Mackay snapped truly for his first goal in league footy from Kurt Tippett's deft ruck tap.
A pair of opportunistic goals from Porplyzia late in the term gave the Crows five for the quarter and a 25-point lead at the long break.
Neither side could split the big sticks in a desperate third quarter; a result that suited the Crows as they entered the final term of a low-scoring contest with a 22-point break.
Five minutes into the last, Brad Symes stretched the visitors' lead with a fine running goal.
The Swans didn't lack for effort at the other end, but they couldn't match the Crows' polish as an uncanny number of shots belted into the woodwork.
When Porplyzia pushed the margin past five goals with his fourth of the night, dejected Swans fans began to head for the exits and the game was as good as won.
His fifth, splitting consolation efforts to Hall and Ben Mathews, was a just reward for an excellent game.
A rejuvenated Adelaide now prepare to host Carlton at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
SYDNEY SWANS 2.3 4.9 4.12 6.17 (53)
ADELAIDE 3.6 8.7 8.10 11.11 (77)
Goals
Sydney Swans: Darren Jolly, Luke Ablett, Craig Bird, Matt O’Dwyer, Barry Hall, Ben Mathews
Adelaide: Jason Porplyzia 5, Simon Goodwin 2, Bryce Campbell, Nick Gill, David Mackay, Brad Symes
Best
Injuries
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Armstrong, McInerney, Vozzo
Official crowd: 26,260 at SCG
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
