Adelaide trials Taylor Walker in ruck, upset by Gold Coast in shock Marsh Community Series result

Adelaide forward Taylor Walker raised eyebrows when he floated playing on the wing in 2020. The Crows had other ideas, trialling him in a position during a shock loss to Gold Coast that had one club great concerned for his welfare.

Taylor Walker had his work cut out for him after being thrown into the ruck by the Crows. Picture: Sarah Reed

Star key forward Taylor Walker was sensationally trialled as a back-up ruckman as Adelaide ensured new coach Matthew Nicks would have some sleepless nights going into round one with an upset loss to wooden spooner Gold Coast.

The seven-point defeat — after Croweater Jordan Murdoch kicked two late goals for the Suns — left the Crows winless in two Marsh Community Series matches.

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Taylor Walker had his work cut out for him after being thrown into the ruck by the Crows. Picture: Sarah Reed

Walker was no match for Zac Smith in the ruck, giving away 12cm. Picture: Sarah Reed

The loss followed a 33-point defeat to Melbourne in round one at Casey Fields and left Nicks, worryingly, still searching for his best 22.

Adelaide, which fought back from a 23-point second quarter deficit to lead in the final term at Noarlunga Oval, was smashed in inside 50s 66-45 and contested possessions 165-131.

Those stats would concern Nicks, two weeks out from the club’s premiership season opener against Sydney at Adelaide Oval.

With veteran big men Sam Jacobs (GWS) and Josh Jenkins (Geelong) traded in the off-season and youngsters Elliott Himmelberg and Billy Frampton (recruited from Port Adelaide) left out of the side, the Crows risked the welfare of their leading goal-kicker Walker by having him pinch-hit for No. 1 big man Reilly O’Brien.

New Crows coach Matthew Nicks has plenty of headaches ahead of Round 1. Picture: Sarah Reed

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The move irked Adelaide’s dual premiership captain Mark Bickley, who questioned why the club would risk injury to one of its most valuable assets.

“Walker’s being put at serious risk there,’’ Bickley said.

“He’s only got to cop a nasty knee to the ribs or throat and he’d be in big trouble.’’

Walker, 194cm, at one stage rucked at a centre bounce against giant Sun Zac Smith, 206cm, giving away a whopping 12cm height advantage. He also went head-to-head at ruck contests against Gold Coast back-up ruckmen Peter Wright and Sam Day.

The Crows have won all 13 premiership matches they have played against the Suns but they were badly beaten in the contest in their last pre-season hit out and struggled with their connection going into attack.

Adelaide, which revealed before the game that pressure forward Riley Knight would miss four-to-six weeks after undergoing Achilles surgery, were close to full strength with only 2018 AFL Rising Star runner-up Tom Doedee (knee) absent from what projects as its best 22.

In contrast, the Suns had a handful of regulars missing.

Running machine Brodie Smith had the ball on a string. Picture: Sarah Reed

BRILLIANT BRODIE

Freed of defensive responsibilities, 10th-year swingman Brodie Smith was superb on a wing against Gold Coast.

After spending most of his career as a rebounding halfback, Smith was successfully moved on ball midway through last season.

He played on a wing against the Suns and was scintillating with a game high 34 disposals and a goal.

When the long-kicking Smith had the ball, good things happened for the Crows as he was able to pinpoint teammates at distance.

It is a role he almost certain to continue in this year as Nicks looks for some more midfield speed and playmaking ability.

Adelaide will be liking what they’ve seen from Fischer McAsey. Picture: Sarah Reed

THE FISCHER KING

Adelaide’s top draft pick from last year looks the goods.

Victorian tall Fischer McAsey – taken at No. 6 overall – had his first taste of big time football against the Suns and didn’t look out of place.

Starting at centre half-back and partnering dual All-Australian Daniel Talia in a key defensive post, the 18-year-old looked composed under pressure and used the ball efficiently.

He was strong in the contest, particularly with his spoiling, and even ran forward to kick a goal after a 50m penalty.

McAsey, who has enjoyed a standout pre-season and added some muscle to his 196cm frame, finished with 12 disposals and three marks and looks a strong chance to play in round one.

Hugh Greenwood was back in Adelaide in his new colours. Picture: Sarah Reed

HUGH’S HOMECOMING

Former Crow Hugh Greenwood enjoyed a solid if unspectacular homecoming against his ex club.

Traded to the Suns for a third and fourth round draft pick at the end of last season, Greenwood celebrated his 28th birthday with a typically strong performance in his first game against his former teammates.

The strong-bodied midfielder, a former NBL and Australian basketballer who played 51 games and kicked 36 goals for Adelaide from 2017-19 before being offered a longer contract by Gold Coast, had 16 disposals opposed to former onball teammates Rory Sloane, Brad Crouch and co.

Greenwood boasts the highest contested possession percentage by a player in the AFL since 1999, with 66.7 per cent of his touches won under pressure.

Top draft pick Matt Rowell only played sparingly for the Suns, but showed good signs. Here he hunts Crow Ben Davis. Picture: AFL Photos

RISING SUNS

It has been a long road to respectability for the Suns but they could finally be on the rise.

Last year’s top two draft picks, midfielders Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson, look the real deal.

AFL Rising Star favourite Rowell showed some terrific signs early against the Crows after a strong first-up showing against Geelong and Anderson, who had limited game time against Adelaide, also oozes class.

The Suns top draft pick in 2018, Woodville-West Torrens tall Jack Lukosius (No. 2 overall), played 21 games in his debut season and is bigger and stronger this year.

Playing down back, he shone against Adelaide with 17 disposals and 10 marks and appears set for a big year.

Fellow Croweater Izak Rankine, taken the pick after Lukosius, missed the match with a shoulder injury but should be fit for round one, illustrating the Suns’ plethora of young talent.

SCOREBOARD

GOLD COAST 4.5 5.10 7.13 9.17 (71)

d

ADELAIDE 2.2 4.6 8.6 9.10 (64)

GOALS

Suns: A Sexton 2 J Murdoch 2 B Ainsworth D MacPherson D Swallow S Day T Miller

Crows: B Crocker B Crouch B Davis B Smith D Fogarty F McAsey L Murphy P Seedsman T Walker

ANDREW CAPEL’S BEST

Suns: Swallow, MacPherson, Brodie, Smith, Lukosius, Ellis, Weller

Crows: Smith, Seedsman, Laird, B. Crouch, M. Crouch, Atkins.

INJURIES

Suns: Sexton (hamstring)

Crows: Lynch (nose), Talia (back).

Umpires: Ray Chamberlain, Leigh Haussen, Curtis Deboy, Eleni Glouftsis

Crowd: 2631

Venue: Noarlunga Oval