Adelaide defies high injury toll to upset Sydney as Taylor Walker stands tall with four goals

THE critics were after Taylor Walker again but the Adelaide captain responded with four goals to lift his injury-hit Crows to a spirited win over Sydney in game that was considered a lost cause.

Rory Atkins jumps for joy after kicking a goal. Picture. Phil Hillyard

YOUNG men sent to battle know no fear.

At the start of the AFL’s Anzac Round which reminds all of when that theme was taken to real battlefields, Adelaide delivered a reminder of how no AFL game is decided until it is played.

The Crows beat Sydney — at the SCG of all places — by 10 points to reaffirm their resilience when the odds are against a team that refuses to be worn down by negative vibes.

After building up a 23-point lead in the second term — albeit off a wasteful 0.5 in the opening six minutes — the Crows held the advantage on the scoreboard (that was supposed to embarrass them) to the sweetest of final sirens.

How Adelaide did not fall behind in the third term — against a wave of 20 inside-50 sorties from the Swans as they chalked up 103 disposals — is a tribute to assistant coach Ben Hart’s new defence.

The win marks the biggest statement made in adversity by the Crows since the 2015 elimination final against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.

Adelaide started this game not only with its back against the wall amid all the doubts created from the 48-point home loss to Collingwood seven days earlier, but also as a lost cause after the high injury count that had the Crows limp into Sydney.

Taylor Walker celebrates one of his four goals. Picture: AAP

The final team sheet had seven names missing from the Grand Final 22 — and critical absentees from the midfield, in particular vice-captain Rory Sloane (foot).

But fully fit players — particularly young men with no fear — always stand a better chance in the battle for premiership points.

This note was most relevant with first-year defender Tom Doedee; the one Crow who takes to every challenge with never-ending enthusiasm, midfielder Rory Atkins and the defiant Hugh Greenwood.

None of these young men have reached their 100-game milestone — Atkins (62nd game last night), Greenwood (20) and Doedee (five). And all three played with no fear.

All that was supposed to have been lost with the spiritual leadership of Sloane in the midfield was made up by Greenwood with his impressive appetite and growing reputation (that contradicts his basketball past) for the hot ball.

Crows defenders Kyle Hartigan and Daniel Talia pounce on Lance Franklin. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs — in forcibly responding to last week’s lost duel with Collingwood rival Brodie Grundy — was the key to Adelaide defying more class and more grunt Sydney apparently had to work with in the midfield mix.

Jacobs’ early statement of intent against Sydney ruckman Callum Sinclair allowed Adelaide’s opening midfield battery (Bryce Gibbs, Richard Douglas and the fast-rising Greenwood) to command the clearances and create enormous supply chains to Adelaide’s attack.

This gave Crows captain Taylor Walker the confidence-boosting start to a game that was his meaningful moment to answer the off-field questions about his on-field efforts and leadership. “Tex” was far more assertive in his leading for marks — and much sounder on feet that had troubled him, in particular the left with plantar fascia, in a wiped-out pre-season.

Crows forward Josh Jenkins flies for a mark, Picture: Getty Images

His four goals — and a hit post — mark his biggest influence on a game this season.

Adelaide’s eagerness for the contest — the “brand” coach Don Pyke wants to define the Crows — was evident for all in one of the most disciplined performances delivered in Pyke’s three years.

The critical numbers in the statistics are in all the figures that measure toughness.

Adelaide’s pain from hamstring injuries continues, with defender Kyle Hartigan adding his name to the rather lost list at West Lakes. He was forced to the bench in the second term with a left hamstring strain.

The Crows’ collective body might be taking heavy blows, but the team spirit is not weakening.

SYDNEY 3.3 6.6 8.9 10.15 (75)

ADELAIDE 4.9 8.10 9.12 12.13 (85)

BEST

Swans: Heeney, Jones, McVeigh, Rampe, Cunningham

Crows: Doedee, Atkins, Seedsman, Greenwood, Jacobs, Laird, Walker, Talia

GOALS

Swans: Rohan 2, Cunningham, Florent, Franklin, Heeney, Hewett, Jack, Jones, Towers

Crows: Walker 4, Atkins, Jenkins 3, Gallucci, Seedsman

INJURIES

Crows: Hartigan (left hamstring); Douglas (cut eye)

Swans: Nil

UMPIRES: C. Donlon, L. Haussen, S. Meredith

CROWD: 38,017 at the SCG

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