Glenelg impressive with win over Adelaide in SANFL

Glenelg coach Mark Stone took time to get his message across in his first season last year, but the Tigers have fully brought in to become a force.

Glenelg's Aaron Joseph was outstanding for Glenelg in the win over Adelaide at the Bay. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Glenelg made an emphatic early season statement when it crushed Adelaide by 53 points at the Bay on Friday night.

Led by a nine-goal haul from Liam McBean, the Tigers sent a warning to rivals they have the squad and game to impact heavily on the league.

It was a victory built on desperation and a superb team performance.

The Crows, with Cam Ellis-Yolmen busy on the ball, looked dangerous early to ask immediate questions of the home side.

And the Tigers had the answers as they refused to be intimidated, bringing the intensity and passion coach Mark Stone has been able to install into the side.

Key forward McBean returned to the Bay after a year of travel and he let loose to bag three goals in six minutes. He was able to escape behind the Crows defence to nail the first two and reward the efforts of teammates.

McBean then took advantage of a 50m penalty before play had restarted to kick his third.

The Tigers defence was outstanding with Aaron Joseph and Chris Curran prominent. They provided tremendous rebound and the Tigers got confident movement to build a 25-point advantage.

The defensive work of the Tigers all over the ground was relentless, even the forwards committed to denying the Crows easy release.

Their attack at the contest was also impressive and created turnover ball.

But there is plenty of talent in this Crows line-up and they responded. Paul Hunter dominated the ruck and Lachlan Scholl had an influence across half back. The Crows pounced on Tigers’mistakes and used the ball effectively to cut the deficit to just five points late in the second quarter.

When Tyson Stengle nailed the opening goal of the third term, the Crows loomed ominously.

It took a while for the Tigers to understand Stone’s message when he took over last season. There is no doubt the Tigers have fully brought in.

Despite having had three less entries inside their attacking 50m, the Tigers led by 22 points when Luke Reynolds kicked a goal midway through the third quarter.

The Tigers did not deviate from the disciplined mindset. Their lead ballooned to 55 points when Josh Scott goalled nine minutes into the final term after marking while three opponents looked on.

GLENELG 5.4 7.4 12.5 18.7 (115)

ADELAIDE 2.3 5.5 6.6 9.8 (62)

BEST - Glenelg: McBean, Joseph, Curran, Bradley, Proud, Scharenberg, Agnew. Adelaide: Ellis-Yolmen, Scholl, Hunter, Poholke, Otten.

GOALS - Glenelg: McBean 9, Reynolds 3, Hosie 2, Scott, Gregson, White, Koster. Adelaide: Poholke 3, Davis, Wright 2, Stengle, Wilson.

UMPIRES - Harris, Bennett, Philp.

CROWD - 2528 at ACH Group Stadium, Glenelg.