The Crows were better going forward against the Swans but it’s not the big men getting the job done

While the Crows were far mor efficient going forward against the Swans, it’s not the big men getting it done in front of goal. Adelaide’s small-forwards and midfielders are picking up the slack

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After dominating the Hawks in the season opener, Adelaide lost the midfield numbers battle against the Swans in Round 2.

Sydney had more disposals (+4), contested possessions (+3) and clearances (+3) on Friday night but the Crows, unlike in Round 1, were in front on the most important count on the night – the scoreboard.

Don Pyke’s men were far more efficient going forward, registering a major 23 per cent of the time they went inside 50 – up from a disappointing 12 per cent against the Hawks.

But it’s not the big men getting the job done in front of goal.

Adelaide co-captain Taylor Walkers marks in front of Sydney defender Lewis Melican.

While key forwards Taylor Walker and Josh Jenkins were far more effective in the second week, presenting strongly – and being rewarded – on the lead, they’re not yet having the influence on the scoreboard we’ve come to expect.

Last year, Jenkins was targeted on 195 occasions inside 50 – 125 more times than any other player - and Adelaide scored 44 per cent of the time.

Walker was only the target of the Crows’ attacking forays 70 times in an inconsistent season, which saw him play just 14 matches.

But in 2017, the co-captain was targeted 147 times when Adelaide went inside 50, with his side scoring in 48 per cent of them.

By the Numbers: Crows' targets Inside 50

In a year when Adelaide were the No. 1 scoring team in the competition, it looked for Jenkins 144 times with a scoring percentage of 44 per cent.

So far in 2019, while Jenkins (14) and Walker (12) are still the main targets going forward, the scoring percentages of 36 and 25, respectively, are down.

While the number fell last season, Adelaide recorded the most marks inside 50 on their way to the grand final in 2017.

The Crows are ranked 17th in the key statistic this season.

But the Adelaide’s small-forwards and midfielders are picking up the slack.

Along with helping Adelaide sit as the fourth-best pressure side in the competition after two rounds, they are having an impact on the scoreboard.

Riley Knight boots one of his two majors against the Swans.

The Crows are averaging 10 more crumbs inside 50 than their opponent – ranking them No. 1 in the game – and their forward 50 groundball-get differential of +6 is the second-best in the competition.

Brad Crouch and Eddie Betts have each booted three goals, while David Mackay and Riley Knight have kicked two.

Rory Sloane, Matt Crouch, Rory Atkins, Chayce Jones and Paul Seedman all have one major to their name.

While Jenkins has two, Lynch and Walker have only booted one goal in the opening two rounds.

The trio accounted for 88 – or 31 per cent - of Adelaide’s 279 goals last year.

While Adelaide’s 15th-ranked offence is not yet firing on all cylinders, if the midfielders can continue to hit the scoreboard when it does kick in to gear, it will become a hard outfit to stop.

Originally published as The Crows were better going forward against the Swans but it’s not the big men getting the job done