Australian Football

Match Report

The Adelaide Crows have scored a resounding win against West Coast on Saturday night, incredibly holding the home side scoreless in the final quarter as they turned a 12-point three-quarter-time deficit into a stunning 29-point win at what had previously proved to be an impenetrable fortress for the Eagles. West Coast dominated the latter part first term to establish a 17-point quarter-time lead, which was extended to 19 at the long break. Although the Eagles conceded some ground in the third quarter, no one could have predicted that they would fall alway completely to record their first ever scoreless term at Subiaco. But indeed they did, as Adelaide slammed in 6.5 to record a remarkable victory and the over West Coast's seventh place on the ladder. 

An interesting first 15 minutes saw both sides have chances in the forward line but it was Adelaide that made the most of them, racking up goals to Eddie Betts (two) and Josh Jenkins while the Eagles nett reward to that point was four behinds. Once Jack Darling got a major for them, though the dam wall burst and West Coast added a further four goals through Josh Kennedy twice, Darling again and Andrew Gaff to take a 17-point lead into the first end-change.

When play resumed, it was Adelaide which took control, albeit briefly. A rushed behind was followed by misses to Brodie Smith and Tom Lynch before a straight kick from Richard Douglas brought the Crows back within eight points. Mark Hutchings too the lead back out to 14 for the Eagles but a third major to Betts had Adelaide within seven points after 23 minutes. West Coast dominated the latter stages of the second term, however, and kicked three of the last four goals of the half to lead by a comfortable 19 points at the long break. 

The Eagles looked like they might go on with the job early in the third quarter, with a mark and goal from Liam Duggan extending the margin to 26 points but the Crows began to claw their way back into the match after that, as they kicked two of the next three goals (including a fourth to Betts) to cut the deficit back to 19 and then dominate the last few minutes of the third term to add another 1.3, the goal going to Charlie Cameron) to be within two goals at 'orange' time. 

Despite Adelaide's strong finish to the third quarter, no one expected what was to come in the last. Neither side scored for the first four minutes but then a free kick awarded to Jenkins after a slide tackle from Xavier Ellis saw Jenkins kick a goal which sparked a run-on from the Crows that did not end until the final siren. Betts and Lynch added goals within five minutes to give Adelaide the lead, and then Jenkins, Smith and Cameron all had chances to extend the margin but all three registered only minor scores, leaving the door ajar for West Coast.

But the Eagles had nothing left in the tank, and Jenkins, Rory Atkins and captain Taylor Walker all added majors to see the game out to leave West Coast scoreless for the entire last quarter and 29 points in arrears when the final siren sounded. 

Rory Sloane (29 possessions, six tackles) played a pivotal role in the Crows' win, while Matt Priddis (12 tackles, 29 touches) was his usual prolific and reliable send for the Eagles.

The win opens up a top-four opportunity for Adelaide, the Crows now only a game behind second-placed Sydney. They will have a bye in round 13 before facing top-of-the-ladder North Melbourne on Thursday week. West Coast will seek to get back on the winners list at the Gabba on Saturday, when they take on second-last placed Brisbane. 

GOALS
West Coast: Kennedy 3; Darling, Yeo 2; Hill, Hutchings, Gaff, Duggan.
Adelaide: Betts 5; Jenkins 3; Walker 2; Lynch, Douglas, M McGovern, Cameron, Atkins.

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
West Coast: Priddis, Yeo, Gaff, McGovern, Hill, Shuey.
Adelaide: Sloane, Betts, Thompson, Laird, M. Crouch, Talia, Jenkins, Lynch

BEST - THE SUNDAY AGE
West Coast: Priddis, Shuey, McGovern, Yeo, Kennedy, Naitanui
Adelaide: Sloane, Laird, Betts, Thompson, Lyons, Crouch

INJURIES
West Coast: Mackenzie (ill) replaced in selected side by Barrass, Bulter (groin) replaced in selected side by Ellis.
Adelaide: TBC

UMPIRES: Hay, Rosebury, Farmer

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Fox Footy

COMMENTATORS: Adam Papalia, Brad Johnson, Dermott Brereton, Ben Dixon