Glenelg records huge 57-point victory over the Crows
GLENELG proves too strong for the Crows, beating them by 57-points at Glenelg Oval on Saturday.
A SPOT in the upcoming finals is unattainable for Glenelg, but its 57-point victory against Adelaide at home on Saturday suggests the team is building towards something special for next year.
The Tigers are two wins plus percentage behind fifth-placed South Adelaide ahead of the league’s final minor round, but they performed with plenty of heart, intensity and desire to prevail 20.6 (126) to 10.9 (69) over the Crows.
Young gun Lachlan Hosie, Ian Milera and Luke Reynolds were the stars up-forward for the hosts with four goals each to help their side to its fifth consecutive success.
Cam Ellis-Yolmen racked up a huge 40 touches for the Crows and retiring veteran Sam Gibson amassed 39 to stake their claim for a potential AFL recall for Adelaide’s final game for the year against Carlton next Saturday.
Glenelg coach Mark Stone was pleased with his players’ ability to withstand the early pressure the Crows heaped on them and maintain momentum in the second half.
“I thought we looked a bit flat early coming off the bye,” Stone said.
“But to our boys’ credit, we were able to find ways of controlling their strength around the contest and we got ourselves back on top around the stoppages.
“I thought as well as our defenders defended, our forwards were really good at creating opportunities when the ball went inside 50.”
It was goal-for-goal in the first term and although the visitors led the inside-50 count, its inaccuracy in front of goal cost them early.
The Crows had 10 scoring shots compared to Glenelg’s five in the first term only to have scores locked at 30 apiece at quarter-time.
The rain started pouring down in the second term and AFL-listed Patrick Wilson booted the first major of the second quarter for the Crows, but that was their only score for the term.
Ben Sawford (39 disposals, including 22 contested, six tackles, nine inside 50s and a goal) and skipper Chris Curran (24 possessions) led the way for the hosts as they kicked six unanswered goals to hold a 20-point advantage at the main break.
“Sawford was terrific and did a huge job for us,” Stone said.
Glenelg’s intensity continued into the second half and it took the game on with confidence with plenty of run and carry through the corridor.
Crows coach Ryan O’Keefe was pleased with Ellis-Yolmen and Gibson, saying their attitude was second-to-none.
But O’Keefe said his team had too many passengers.
“We were competitive and then we just weren’t competitive,” O’Keefe said.
“The AFL guys played well, but when the bottom half of the team can’t contribute, it’s just too hard to win.”
SCOREBOARD
GLENELG 5.0 9.2 14.6 20.6 (126)
ADELAIDE 4.6 5.6 8.6 10.9 (69)
BEST — Glenelg: Sawford, Curan, Nicholson, Bradley, White. Crows: Ellis-Yolmen, Gibson, Wilson, Boyle, Signorello.
GOALS — Glenelg: Hosie, Reynolds, I Milera 4, T Milera 2, Motlop, Sawford, White, Nicholson, Close, Uebergang
Crows: Davis 3, Boyle, Ellis-Yolmen, Gibson, Jarman, Signorello, Wilson, Connelly
INJURIES — Glenelg: Jonty Scharenberg (suspected medial ligament).
UMPIRES — Medliun, Burke, Sboro.