Adelaide jumped into the AFL’s top eight for the first time this season with a 16-point win over Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.
The Crows led at every change to win 14.14 (98) to 12.10 (82).
Both sides sit on 9-8 win-loss records and Adelaide’s superior percentage puts them into the eight at the expense of Collingwood who slip to ninth.
Adelaide’s star onballer Patrick Dangerfield limped off in the final two minutes of the game after receiving a knock to the knee, although early reports suggested it wasn’t a serious injury.
Taylor Walker led Adelaide’s goalscorers with three majors while Travis Cloke kicked three for the Magpies.
Dangerfield was prominent while Dayne Beams with two goals and 29 disposals was an excellent contributor for Collingwood.
Adelaide dominated the first term, kicking five goals to Collingwood’s three. Both sides scored two goals in the second quarter as Adelaide took a 16-point lead into the halftime break, 7.8 (50) to 5.4 (34).
Collingwood’s Clinton Young was reported during the second term for a high bump on Adelaide’s Brodie Smith who had taken a low, diving mark.
The Magpies lifted with a three-goal third term including one major from Cloke to narrow the gap to nine points at three-quarter time.
Collingwood hit the front with three consecutive last-quarter goals before Adelaide slammed on four majors in a row to move 17 points clear with just under five minutes remaining.
The Crows withstood Collingwood’s challenge in the final term, kicking five goals to the home side’s four.
Two-time club champion Scott Thompson was a late withdrawal from Adelaide’s selected side with a hamstring problem.
The Crows will host West Coast at Adelaide Oval next Saturday and Collingwood have a seven-day break before facing Port Adelaide at the MCG next Sunday.
