Billy Frampton starred in wet and muddy conditions at Hisense Stadium as Adelaide recorded back-to-back SANFL wins for the first time this season with a comfortable 36-point victory over West Adelaide.
Adelaide welcomed back Lachie Murphy whose missed the last six weeks with an ankle injury.
Murphy finished with 14 disposals, while Frampton kicked three goals, took 11 marks (five contested) and found 15 disposals.
Crows SANFL coach Michael Godden said the 14.10 (94) to 9.4 (58) win in challenging conditions was a sign of good character from his young side.
“The positive thing was that we were able to respond when we were challenged and that is important when you are building a side,” Godden said.
“Billy (Frampton) has been consistent the whole time he’s been at the club and unfortunately he hasn’t had that chance to get back into the AFL side, so he’s just got to keep knocking the door down.
“He’s often fighting a two-on-one so he battles through every game for us.
“Our forwards looked dangerous, but our defence was strong as well and that’s why Westies struggled to take marks inside their forward 50m.”
The early signs were good for the Crows as Frampton took a mark on a streaming lead from the opening centre clearance, before Jay Boyle snapped the first goal inside two minutes.
Adelaide dominated the first 20 minutes and had four unanswered goals on the board, as Kieran Strachan converted a 40m set shot and Frampton nailed back-to-back goals (including a tight snap from the pocket).
West attacked late in the term, but Adelaide was well organised in defence.
The Crows transitioned from goal square to goal square to gift Lachie Gollant his first goal of the day and the Crows took a 33-point lead into the first break.
Rain tumbled during the quarter time break and the Bloods found their first goal three minutes into the second term through former Crow Jonathon Beech.
Adelaide was held scoreless for the first 12 minutes of the second term in what turned into a scrap, but Elliott Himmelberg found space to mark and boot a goal.
The highlight of the first half was Luke Pedlar’s tackle and 55m goal which helped the Crows to a 39-point lead at the main break.
Pedlar finished with 15 touches and four clearances.
Adelaide controlled the aerial contest and had 63 marks to 44 at half time, including 11 contested marks to one.
Hamish Latchford was everywhere in the second term with 12 disposals (15 in total to half time) while Josh Worrell had 12 touches to the half.
West Adelaide gave itself a faint chance during the third term with five goals to three.
Adelaide’s third quarter goals came through Boyle who finished off an end-to-end transition and set shots to Tim Baccanello and Himmelberg.
Leading by 28 points at the last break, the Crows found the vital first goal of the last term through Tariek Newchurch, before Gollant, Cook and Frampton cashed in with majors to elevate the margin to a match-high 54 points.
Oliver Davis and Latchford both finished with 25 disposals and Worrell 24.
Adelaide will next Saturday face the top of the table Glenelg at ACH Group Stadium, before heading to Victor Harbor on July 10 to take on South Adelaide.
Adelaide: 5.3, 7.5, 10.7, 14.10 (94)
West Adelaide: 0.0, 1.2, 6.3, 9.4 (58)
Best: Frampton, Strachan, O. Davis, Parnell, Murray, Worrell, Himmelberg
Goals: Frampton 3, Boyle, Gollant, Himmelberg 2, Baccanello, Cook, Newchurch, Pedlar, Strachan.
