Adelaide Crows show premiership credentials

BACK to back AFL titles look unlikely for the Western Bulldogs, after a devastating loss to Adelaide on Friday night.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA — JULY 07: Josh Jenkins and Eddie Betts of the Crows celebrate a goal during the round 16 AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on July 7, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Adelaide’s twin towers Taylor Walker and Josh Jenkins have produced an attacking masterclass in a 59-point drubbing of reigning AFL premiers Western Bulldogs.

Jenkins slotted four goals and Walker three in the Crows’ resounding 16.8 (104) to 5.15 (45) triumph on a sodden Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

The tall attacking duo revelled in the wet conditions as Adelaide took top spot on the ladder ahead of the weekend fixtures.

The Crows led by just three points at halftime but then blitzed the wasteful Bulldogs with 10 unanswered goals.

Walker and Jenkins were superb while midfielders Matt Crouch (32 disposals), Rory Sloane (24 touches) and defender Rory Laird (31 possessions) were prolific ball winners.

The Dogs were well served by Toby McLean (31 touches), Jack Macrae (27 disposals) and Lachie Hunter (26 possessions).

Crows players celebrate after kicking a goal during the Round 16 AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and the Western Bulldogs.

But the visitors couldn’t find a multiple goalkicker and remain in a mid-table logjam with seven wins and eight losses.

Adelaide’s Jenkins was a central figure early, winning a vital hardball which led to his skipper Walker kicking the first goal of the game.

After an extraordinary reply from the Bulldogs’ Matthew Suckling, who took one step before converting with a 55 metre bomb, Jenkins scored the Crows’ second.

The Dogs replied with Jake Stringer finding teammate Jack Redpath, with a clever checkside pass, and he converted to put his side ahead by two-points at quarter time.

Jenkins’ influence continued in the second period, kicking the first of the term and two minutes later giftwrapping a goal for Eddie Betts.

Daniel Talia punches the ball away from Jack Redpath. Picture Sarah Reed

But the Bulldogs rallied with late strikes from Bailey Dale and Stringer reducing Adelaide’s lead to 35-32 at the main break.

The Crows made their game-busting move in the third term with Walker’s major triggering the sequence of 10 goals to none.

Adelaide, with Matt Crouch running amok with 13 disposals for the quarter, kicked 7.0 to 0.3 to delight their 41,948-strong home crowd.

The Crows iced the game with the initial three goals of the last quarter before Luke Dalhaus converted to end the Bulldogs’ stagnant scoring period.

Beveridge looks shell shocked. Please one of these journos ask about Will Minson. #AFLCrowsDogs

— Matt Somerford (@somerfjord) July 7, 2017

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says he's gutted after one of the worst performances since he's been at the club #AFLCrowsDogs @AFL pic.twitter.com/cUmiRJLink

— Lee Gaskin (@Lee_Gaskin1) July 7, 2017

Originally published as Adelaide Crows show premiership credentials