Adelaide has continued its undefeated start to the SANFL season and retained top spot on the ladder with a 43-point win over Woodville-West Torrens at Maughan Thiem Hyundai Oval on Sunday.

The SANFL Crows overcame a 21-point deficit midway through the second term to blow the game open after half-time, piling on 10 goals to two in a scintillating second half.

Adelaide controlled all the play early but was unable to convert its dominance onto the scoreboard, while the Eagles’ efficiency kept them in the hunt before the Crows’ second-half storm.

The home side looked particularly ominous when the Eagles bagged five unanswered goals in the second term and the locals found their voice.

But the floodgates opened for Adelaide after the main break, with the Crows’ sheer volume of scoring opportunities resulting in a 14.12 (96) to 8.5 (53) win.

The margin did not reflect the overall closeness of the contest, as Adelaide kicked the final four goals of the game in the dying minutes.

Offseason recruit Dean Gore produced his best performance in Crows colours with 26 possessions, seven clearances and six inside 50ms. The teenager had a hand in several Crows scores and showed great strength in the clinches against a hardened Eagles midfield.

Four goals to Charlie Cameron equalled his best haul as a Crow. The livewire forward terrorised opposition defenders all afternoon with his speed and tackling pressure.

Jonathon Beech continued his impressive start to his Crows career with 23 possessions and two goals off a wing and across half-forward. Troy Menzel also looked dangerous with all 17 of his disposals, which included a goal and five inside 50ms.

SANFL Stats: Round Three

Sam Shaw and Jake Kelly ruled the air in defence and limited Woodville-West Torrens to just 13 scoring shots and the club’s equal-lowest total of the season.

Experienced pair Ricky Henderson and Nathan van Berlo both collected 26 possessions and looked a class above across half-back.

Crows SANFL coach Heath Younie said Adelaide worked hard to play the game on its own terms.

“I thought after half-time we played a lot better,” he said.

“We just made a couple of structural changes and were able to play the game more the way we wanted it to be played.

“We’re really happy with the way our players are progressing. The great thing for our footy club is we’ve got a healthy list, which promotes competition for spots. That’s great for our footy club.”

Jarryd Lyons and Riley Knight were both late inclusions for Saturday’s AFL victory over Richmond at Etihad Stadium.

Younie said it pleasing for the entire Crows coaching group to see the pair’s SANFL form rewarded.

“That’s a great sign that they can go up and contribute,” he said.

“They know their responsibility is to turn up and play well, but to play to our system and our structure.

“We’ve got other guys waiting in the wings for opportunities.”

Sunday’s win marked a Club record fifth-straight victory for the SANFL Crows extending back to the final two rounds of the 2015 season. The Eagles, who defeated Adelaide in both meetings between the two sides last year, were the last team to topple the SANFL Crows.

The Club reported no injuries from the contest.

Adelaide has its first SANFL bye of the season next weekend before confronting Glenelg at Gilderol Stadium on Sunday, April 24.



ADELAIDE                                  1.3   4.5   8.10   14.12 (96)
WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS   1.1   6.1   7.3   8.5 (53)

GOALS
Adelaide: Cameron 4, Dear 2, Beech 2, O’Brien 2, Greenwood, Ramsey, Spencely, Menzel
Woodville-West Torrens: Ainger 3, O’Brien 2, Yarran, Gaffney, Rowland

BEST
Adelaide: Gore, Beech, Ellis-Yolmen, Shaw, Kelly, Cameron, Menzel
Woodville-West Torrens: Jarrad, Petrenko, O’Brien, Boyd, Thompson

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Woodville-West Torrens: Nil