Adelaide passes its biggest test of the season with a critical win over GWS
Adelaide has seen off Greater Western Sydney with a flurry of late goals, including a blinder from Eddie Betts, that could set up its September push.
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GWS put Adelaide out of its 2018 misery in Canberra last August but it is Don Pyke’s men who are now savouring a gateway to September.
The Crows stood up in a self-billed “biggest game of the season” with its first win against a top-four side this year.
Adelaide could enter the bye at 8-5 and in premiership contention with victory against waning Richmond on Thursday.
The final term turned into a shootout with Daniel Lloyd replying to opening salvos from Rory Sloane and Brad Crouch (31 touches) then Jeremy Cameron materialised for an acute set-shot major.
Coleman Medal favourite Cameron had been well held by Kyle Hartigan in a stoic Adelaide defence.
However Taylor Walker’s clutch mark under fire and goal restored a three-point lead that would extend to 21.
The Crows willed themselves to victory with one cool play.
Walker found Josh Jenkins (three goals) on the lead with a pinpoint pass who offloaded to Hugh Greenwood to put Adelaide eight points ahead.
Sloane — who else — iced the result with a one-handed mark and goal after being well held for the first half by Matt de Boer.
Eddie Betts capped the celebrations with a goal of the year contender.
EDDIE BETTS YOU ARE INCREDIBLE!#AFLCrowsGiants pic.twitter.com/bfnpQRmH5d
— AFL (@AFL) June 8, 2019
Adelaide coach Don Pyke — who had been criticised for axing on-baller Bryce Gibbs — said this was one of his sweetest wins.
“It was. We came with a clear plan and carried it out accordingly. Early we had some control of the scoreboard and didn’t get as effectively as we would have liked. We bombed it a bit and missed some connection stuff,” Pyke said.
“GWS are a high quality side and came back in that third quarter. I was super proud of the players and our ability to stand tall in the last quarter.
“Obviously the setback with Tom Lynch going down in the warm-up wasn’t ideal but they took that in their stride and came out and were really determined to get a result.”
HARD AND FAST
GWS boss Leon Cameron arrived with ample firepower as gun Tim Taranto showed with 17 first-term possessions.
Josh Kelly had 12 second-term touches and 13 in the third but with Bryce Gibbs axed there was no tagging option.
Stephen Coniglio and Jacob Hopper rounded out an all-star cast but Adelaide — to its credit — led contested possessions 118-106 for the game.
Hopper’s third term checkside goal to keep GWS in the game in the third term was superb. Matt Crouch (34 touches) underscored his class with an impressive display against premium opposition.
Taranto was able to deliver the third or four successive GWS goals in the third term.
Kelly broke free from Brad Crouch to boot the Giants seventh and bank a four-point lead at the final change.
BATTLE OF THE MUMMY
Shane Mumford’s instinct was to batter rookie Adelaide ruckman Reilly O’Brien and did. However O’Brien was influential in the first term with three clearances and seven disposals.
If brainiac O’Brien — studying a degree in biomedicine — was intimidated by mammoth Mumford he wasn’t showing it.
There couldn’t be more contrasting rucks in the competition in weight, age and approach which made the contest all the more entertaining.
Jenkins did his bit, winning a ruck contest in the second term for his second goal just as GWS were appearing to put the clamps on Adelaide.
ROB finished with 21 hit-outs and five clearances.
CASH IN
Adelaide was on from O’Brien’s first clearance which resulted in a Betts assist for Jenkins’ first goal.
The Giants were No.1 for scoring from centre clearances over the last month but it was Adelaide kicking goals through Jenkins then Betts on the run from its first three clearances.
Harry Perryman burst through half forward for the Giants’ first against the run of play but it was Adelaide who was beating the visitors at their own game in the first term.
However Adelaide’s didn’t make the most of opportunities in the first term where 17 inside 50s translated to 2.5 and a nine-point lead then 32-17 for an 11-point lead at the main break.
Adelaide was dominant but continually broke down entering 50 in the second term — a costly trend until Walker was finally hit up on a lead from Richard Douglas to goal.
By contrast GWS booted two goals in a minute through Harry Himmelberg and Josh Kelly in a stunning show of decisive precision that endured for the game.
MISSING LINK
Adelaide missed linkman Tom Lynch who withdrew with a calf injury.
However Jenkins stood up — following first-half goals with a strong mark against Phil Davis and goal in the third term.
ADELAIDE 2.5 4.7 6.7 12.10 (82)
GWS 1.2 3.4 7.5 9.7 (61)
Goals
Adelaide: Jenkins 3, Walker 2, Sloane 2 Betts 2, Murphy, B Crouch, Greenwod
GWS: Himmelberg 2, Kelly 2, Perryman, Hopper, Taranto, Lloyd, Cameron
Best
Adelaide: Matt Crouch, O’Brien, Jenkins, Brown, Hartigan, B Crouch, Milera, Sloane, Walker
GWS: Kelly, Taranto, Coniglio, Davis, Haynes, Shaw, Hopper, Perryman
Injuries
Adelaide: T Lynch (calf) replaced in starting line-up by H Greenwood
GWS: Nil
Umpires: C Donlon, J Power, R Chamberlain, A Gianfagna
Crowd: 41, 710 at Adelaide Oval
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