ADELAIDE 29.13 (187) def GWS GIANTS 7.10 (52)
AFTER losing Taylor Walker the question that hung over this Adelaide Crows team was who would step up and provide the team with it’s target in the forward line.
After handing the GWS Giants a 135 point loss, the Crows would seem to have found the answer to that question with Tom Lynch having a career day with a 10 goal performance.
Lynch, 22, was traded from St Kilda to Adelaide after the end of the 2011 season as part of a three-way deal with Richmond, which saw Ivan Maric go to the Tigers, and with the Saints getting the Crows’ second-round draft pick.
Also on Football Nation: Sheedy says clubs lacked ‘courage’ during trade period
Coming in to the game against the Giants Lynch had played just 15 games and scored only 13 goals but his stand out performance today could be just what Brenton Sanderson needs as he looks to re-tool his attacking options with Walker now out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
But Lynch was not the sole contributor for the Crows as they dismantled the Giants with Patrick Dangerfield again starring with four goals and 28 possessions and with both Josh Jenkins (four goals) and Sam Kerridge (three goals) proving that it was indeed a team effort by Adelaide.
“Take Tom’s 10 (goals) out and it was a really even contribution from our squad,” Sanderson said afterwards.
“We didn’t have any passengers, everyone played their role and I was pleased we kept the foot on the throat, ruthless right through to the end.
“That was impressive.”
The victory by the Crows, albeit over a winless team, gives them a much need percentage and confidence boost and, subject to the result of tomorrow’s Carlton vs St Kilda game, moves them to just outside the top eight on the AFL ladder.
For the Giants on the other hand, their season has unravelled after a promising pre-season performance. Indeed they seem to have struggled to find any form since a spectacular fourth quarter collapse against Melbourne in Round 4.
“We were vey disappointing today. We’ve played with a lot more spirit than we did today,” said a visibly disappointed GWS Giants coach Kevin Sheedy after the game.
“I felt at quarter-time we could’ve had two or three goals on the board, but we didn’t use the ball that well.
“We didn’t even score at some stages when we did have shots. Normally we’re a bit better than that and I don’t know why we were off in that area.
“It was a generous donation to Adelaide’s percentage today, there’s no doubt about that.”
Adelaide will play St Kilda next Sunday at AAMI Stadium, while the GWS Giants face the daunting prospect of playing a dangerously in form Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium on Saturday.
Here are the match highlights:
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 0.4 2.7 6.8 7.10 (52)
ADELAIDE CROWS 4.5 11.8 22.10 29.13 (187)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 3, Ward 2, Giles
Adelaide Crows: Lynch 10, Dangerfield, Jenkins 4, Kerridge, 3, Vince 2, Talia, Smith, Sloane, McKernan, Mackay, Douglas
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Tomlinson, Ward, Whitfield, Cameron
Adelaide Crows: Lynch, Dangerfield, Kerridge, Jenkins, McKernan, Thompson, Wright, Van Berlo.
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Adelaide: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Greater Western Sydney: Dean Brogan replaced by Zac Williams in the third quarter
Adelaide Crows: Ben Rutten replaced by Jarryd Lyons in the third quarter
Reports: Rhys Palmer (Giants) reported for striking Patrick Dangerfield (Crows) in the third quarter.
Umpires: Hosking, Wenn, Fisher
Official crowd: 5,830 at Skoda Stadium