Australian Football

Match Report

On the back of its seventh win in a row, Adelaide has charged into the top four and stamped itself as a genuine contender. The Crows made short work of Carlton at the MCG on Sunday, winning all four quarters to run out victors by a commanding 60 points, the result pushing them up to third place on the ladder. Adelaide has only twice in its history had longer winning streaks, the Crows winning 10 in a row in 2005 and eight in a row in 2006.

The Crows dominated early proceedings and had a goal on the board within two minutes via Josh Jenkins. Jenkins and Rory Atkins added behinds to see Adelaide ahead by eight points after eight minutes before a long goal from Dennis Armfield pit Carlton on the board at the 12-minute mark. Adelaide then resumed its dominance and a brace of goals to Eddie Betts followed by another major to Brad Crouch had the Crows ahead by 21 and looking dangerous. Two late goals from Armfield, both from outside 50, brought the Blues back within nine points at quarter time. 

Both sides went goal for goal in the first 15 minutes of the second term, Carlton scoring first via Levi Casboult, with each side alternating the next four majors. One of the Carlton majors was to Jack Silvagni, kicking his first AFL goal in his second match. By halfway through the quarter, the Blues were within two points, trailing 37-39. From there, though, the Blues faded, failing to score again before half time while Adelaide added goals through Taylor Walker, Tom Lynch and Sam Jacobs to take a 23-point lead into the long break. 

A tight struggle ensued in the early stages of the third quarter, the only score in the first 12 minutes being a behind to Blue Silvagni. That was to be Carlton's only score for the term as the Crows got on top in the last 15 minutes - the goals going to Jenkins, Betts and Richard Douglas - to lead by 44 points at the last break.

A goal to Matthew Wright gave Carlton brief hope early in the last quarter, but Adelaide quelled those hopes over the 20 minutes, with Sam Jacobs, Jarryd Lyons, David Mackay and Jenkins all added majors to see the Crows out to an even 10-goal lead. The two sides traded behinds to see out the match, Adelaide 60 points clear and into the top four for the first time this season at the sounding of the final siren.

The two Rorys, Laird (35 possessions) and Sloane (34 disposals, eight tackles), played fine games for the Crows, while Armfield's four goals and eight marks made him one of Carlton's best players. 

Adelaide will attempt to make it eight in a row and consolidate its top-four place when it hosts Collingwood at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, while the Blues will return to the MCG to take on another side look to break into the top four, the West Coast Eagles.

GOALS
Carlton: Armfield 4; Casboult, Silvagni, Wright
Adelaide: Betts, Jacobs, Jenkins 3; Crouch, McGovern, Walker, Lynch, Douglas, Lyons, Mackay

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Carlton: Armfield, Cripps, Tuohy, Gibbs, Rowe
Adelaide: Laird, Sloane, Henderson, Talia, Lever, Jacobs

BEST - THE AGE
Carlton: Armfield, Cripps, Docherty, Simpson, Tuohy
Adelaide: Sloane, Laird, Talia, Lever, M Crouch, Jenkins, B Crouch

INJURIES
Carlton: Thomas (right calf)
Adelaide: Nil

REPORTS: Levi Casboult reported for striking Kyle Hartigan in the second term.

UMPIRES: Deboy, Schmitt, Mollison 

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Fox Footy

COMMENTATORS: Anthony Hudson, Jason Dunstall, Danny Frawley