Adelaide Crows ride momentum of Rory Sloane’s re-signing to stirring win over Geelong

ADELAIDE has a heartbeat. With vice-captain Rory Sloane leading the way, an inspired Crows can again dream of September action — but the win could come at a cost.

Eddie Betts did some nice things in his return from a hamstring injury. Pic: Getty Images

ADELAIDE has a heartbeat.

It is only a flicker but Don Pyke’s side remains in the finals race after producing one of its best performances of the season to sensationally upset Geelong at Adelaide Oval.

Buoyed by the re-signing of star midfielder and vice-captain Rory Sloane to a five-year contract, the Crows saved their faltering season — temporarily at least — with a pulsating 15-point win built on intense pressure and a fearless desire to attack at all costs.

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With Sloane cheered by the home crowd every time he won a disposal, Adelaide’s victory evened its win-loss ledger at 8-8 with six rounds left.

But the win could come at a cost with captain Taylor Walker reported for a high bump on Geelong’s Zac Tuohy in the first quarter.

The Crows, who kicked more than 100 points for the first time since Round 7, won despite losing their best key defender Daniel Talia before the game with a foot injury.

Pyke vowed his team would take the game on to try to break through the Cats’ No. 1 ranked defence and it did so with great effect.

Adelaide was thumped in clearances 54-27 but was able to cause turnovers with its high-level pressure and punish Geelong on the rebound with crisp ball movement.

Tom Lynch was brilliant for the Crows with four goals from 22 disposals while Sloane (27 disposals and eight clearances) illustrated his value and why the club couldn’t afford to lose him.

Patrick Dangerfield did his best to lead the Cats to victory. Pic: AAP

Rory Sloane was feeling it. Pic: Getty Images

Defender Rory Laird did his All-Australian chances no harm with a game-high 43 disposals.

Former Crow and Brownlow Medallist Patrick Dangerfield was superb for the Cats with three goals and 33 disposals while he was given strong support from key forward Tom Hawkins (four goals) and midfielders Gary Ablett and Tim Kelly.

The last time the teams clashed was in last year’s preliminary final at Adelaide Oval when the Crows dominated to win by 61 points.

Talia’s late withdrawal last night opened the door for former first-class cricketer Alex Keath to play his first AFL game of the season after he managed six last year.

Keath started on Wylie Buzza with Kyle Hartigan given the job on Talia’s regular opponent Hawkins.

The Cats couldn’t get a grip on Rory Laird. Picture: Sarah Reed

Riley Knight ran to Geelong captain Joel Selwood in the centre square at the opening bounce while the Crows surprised by starting star midfielder Bryce Gibbs in attack.

After Brandon Parfitt kicked the opening goal of the game for the Cats in a chain of play that started with Crow Tom Doedee being penalised for a deliberate out-of-bounds handball, Eddie Betts wove his magic.

He brushed off opponent Jack Henry and brilliantly soccered the ball with his left foot into the path of Jordan Gallucci to run into an open goal.

But while there was some magic at one end, Adelaide let itself down at the other by allowing Geelong to kick some easy goals.

Tom Lynch booted four goals to lead the Crows attack. Picture: Sarah Reed

Daniel Menzel — back in the Cats side after three months out with a groin issue — took full advantage of a free kick and then Hawkins shrugged off attempted tackles from three Crows to snap truly with his left foot to give Geelong an early two-goal lead.

Just as the Cats appeared to be getting well on top, Adelaide hit back hard.

It lifted its work around the stoppages and physically imposed itself on the game, leading to Joel Selwood and Tuohy leaving the field hurt.

The Crows kicked the final three goals of the term and five without reply to open up a 21-point lead halfway through the second quarter.

But Hawkins was proving too powerful for Hartigan and he outmuscled his opponent to boot his second major to keep Geelong in the contest.

Sloane is mobbed by Crows after kicking a long goal. Pic: Getty Images

SCOREBOARD

ADELAIDE 4.3 7.9 13.15 16.16 (112)

GEELONG 3.3 6.7 10.9 14.13 (97)

BEST — Adelaide: Lynch, Sloane, Laird, Milera, Atkins, Gibbs, Knight. Geelong: Dangerfield, Hawkins, Ablett, Kelly, Stanley, Blicavs.

GOALS — Adelaide: Lynch 4, Murphy 3, Jenkins, Gallucci 2, Sloane, Walker, Brown, Betts, Atlkins. Geelong: Hawkins 4, Dangerfield 3, Tuohy, Parfitt, Menzel, Kelly, Narkle, Duncan, Menegola.

INJURIES — Adelaide: Talia (foot) replaced in selected side by Keath.

REPORT — Adelaide: Walker for rough conduct on Tuohy in first term.

UMPIRES — R. O’Gorman, T. Pannell, S. McInerney.

CROWD — 46,095 at Adelaide Oval.

HERALD SUN VOTES:

3: Tom Lynch (Adel)

2: Patrick Dangerfield (Geel)

1: Rory Sloane (Adel)

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Originally published as Adelaide Crows ride momentum of Rory Sloane’s re-signing to stirring win over Geelong