Advertisement

Crows do it for Thompson

Apr 20, 2014

Dynamic Patrick Dangerfield kicked five goals in Adelaide’s 65-point trouncing of Greater Western Sydney in Sunday’s AFL match at Adelaide Oval.

Dangerfield booted four goals before halftime and Adelaide logged their second win of the season 21.11 (137) to 10.12 (72) in front of 44,770 spectators.

The Crows scored 10 unanswered goals in a 35-minute purple patch from late in the first term which effectively killed off the Giants.

But Adelaide’s Richard Douglas faces possible suspension for a behind-play bump which felled Giants captain Callan Ward in the second quarter.

Douglas’ hip-and-shoulder shepherd on an unsuspecting Ward some 10 metres off the ball concussed the Giants’ playmaker, who was substituted out of the game.

Douglas’ bump took some gloss of a polished performance from Adelaide, who now have two wins and three losses this year – the same return as the Giants.

Adelaide were inspired by Dangerfield’s brilliance and Scott Thompson, who celebrated his 250th AFL game with another prolific ball-winning display.

Dangerfield (33 disposals), Thompson (38 possessions), ruckman Sam Jacobs, backman Matthew Jaensch (29 touches) and impressive third-gamer Matt Crouch (28 touches) were influential, while Josh Jenkins kicked four goals and Matthew Wright scored three.

The Giants, without their prime mover Ward, were overwhelmed in the midfield though Stephen Coniglio (29 disposals) and Toby Greene (28 possessions) battled gamely against the tide.

The Giants’ prized top draft pick Tom Boyd was barely sighted on debut – he had just five disposals and didn’t score, but had plenty of similarly quiet teammates.

GWS spearhead Jeremy Cameron managed two goals in his enthralling personal duel with Adelaide’s Daniel Talia, while lively Giant Jed Lamb and Josh Kelly also kicked two goals each.

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson said the win showed the Crows were hell-bent on proving their love for Scott Thompson in his 250th AFL match.

“We did focus on doing our very best to put in a good display for Scotty Thompson, who has been one of our very players in the club’s short history,” Sanderson said.

“I know those midfielders, they were fired up today. They love Scotty Thompson and they weren’t going to let this game slip today for their mate.

“He has been an enormous part of their development … and we saw them all lift today.”

Thompson’s 38 disposals, included 11 contested, and nine clearances to mark his milestone.

After three losses to start their season, Adelaide have now banked two wins in a row in a season which Sanderson said was hard to gauge.

“I have been really surprised with some of the results, there are sides getting blown out one week and then winning by a margin the next – it’s an unusual season to read at this stage,” he said.

Local News Matters
Advertisement
Copyright © 2024 InDaily.
All rights reserved.