Bryce Gibbs shines as Adelaide downs Central District by 55 points to go top of SANFL ladder
A dominant Bryce Gibbs display has put him back in the frame for an AFL recall and inspired the Crows’ SANFL side to a commanding 55-point victory over Central District.
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Bryce Gibbs has put his hand up for a an AFL recall with a dominant display to inspire Adelaide to a commanding 55-point win over Central District.
The experienced midfielder collected a game-high 32 possessions and kicked a goal as the Crows downed the Bulldogs 15.10 (100) to 6.9 (45) at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday.
Gibbs’ telling contribution helped an Adelaide side packed with top-tier talent lead at every change on their way to leapfrogging Glenelg back to the top of the SANFL ladder.
It was also a timely reminder to watching Crows coach Don Pyke of the 260-game AFL star’s quality, after he was dropped from the senior team for the third time this season.
Adelaide state league mentor Heath Younie praised the impact and attitude of Gibbs.
But he said the all-round hunger and desire for the contest impressed him most about his side, as it withstood a plucky Bulldogs outfit which closed to within 27 at three-quarter time.
“I’m really proud of the players, especially in that last quarter,” said Younie, for whom Tyson Stengle also shone with four majors.
“We could’ve easily just won by five or six goals.
“But to really put our foot down and play together right until the end, that’s going to hold us in good stead as a footy club going forward.
“Bryce again was outstanding.
“He’s been engaged, he’s been involved and he’s played his role.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him.”
The Crows cruised to a 26-point quarter-time lead as their superior physicality and ball movement put them firmly in control.
Strong marks and composed kicks by Ben Davis and Kieran Strachan set the tone for the visitors’ early dominance.
Jydon Neagle got the Bulldogs on the board, but two majors to Stengle, including a smart snap on the move, and another to Strachan, restored Adelaide’s dominance.
The home side lifted its intensity in the second term, but failed to prevent the Crows building a 35-point advantage at the main break.
Ryan Falkenberg, one of three Central debutants along with the excellent Steve Burton (25 disposals) and Mitchell Payne, took a good grab and converted to reward his team’s efforts.
Majors to Riley Knight (28 touches, two goals), Gibbs and Sam Jacobs (25 hit outs) ensured Adelaide remained firmly on top.
The Bulldogs kicked four goals to three in the third quarter to cut the Crows’ buffer.
Elliott Himmelberg got Adelaide rolling early in the term, but a Troy Menzel (26 possessions) major under intense pressure and a calm Travis Schiller effort kept Central in the hunt.
Strachan and Stengle each bagged their third in a two-minute spell, before Travis Schiller and Menzel again goaled in third-quarter time-on.
Final term majors to Shane McAdam, Stengle, Himmelberg and Knight iced the Crows’ success.
Bulldogs coach Roy Laird was pleased with his charges’ work rate, but rued key mistakes at crucial moments.
“We were re having a good go,” Laird said.
“But we couldn’t quite reward ourselves with some clean passages to hit the scoreboard.
“They would punish us more than we would punish them.
“The effort was OK and then last quarter those errors increased.
“It’s been a blight on us all year our skill level and we’ve hurt ourselves a lot of the time.”
SCOREBOARD
Adelaide 5.2 8.3 6.8 15.10 (100)
Central District 1.2 2.4 11.6 6.9 (45)
BEST – Adelaide: Gibbs, Jones, Knight, Stengle, Wilson, Strachan. Central: Burton, Menzel, T. Schiller, Habel, J. Schiller.
GOALS – Adelaide: Stengle 4, Strachan 3, Himmelberg 2, Davis, Knight, Gibbs, Jacobs, McAdam, Knight. Central: T. Schiller, Menzel 2, Neagle, Falkenberg.
INJURIES – Adelaide: Hamill (concussion).
UMPIRES – Sboro, Philp, Hughes.
At Elizabeth Oval.
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