Match Report – Adelaide defeat Legs by 55-points

ADELAIDE has made itself a genuine Premiership contender after defeating the Redlegs by 55-points at Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The Crows outclassed the Redlegs in all facets of the game to win comfortably 18.9 (117) to 9.8 (68).

Captain and small forward Matthew Wright kicked five goals, while midfielder Luke Pedler booted three.

The Crows started the match well as Isaya McKenzie kicked his first of the contest inside the five minutes of play.

Norwood responded through a fantastic goal from big forward Connor McLean, before goals to Fisher McAsey, Luke Nankervis and Matthew Wright extended the Crows’ lead.

Just on the stroke of quarter time, ruckman Harry Boyd found crumbing forward Henry Nelligan who wheeled onto his left to kick Norwood’s second and reduce the margin to 10-points.

The Redlegs found the second term difficult, as Adelaide’s outside run accumulated several inside 50 entries.

The Crows kicked back-to-back goals via Pedlar and Lachie Gollant, before Baynen Lowe stamped his authority on the contest with an excellent goal from 35 metres out.

Norwood couldn’t gain any momentum, as the Crows continued to spread well from the contest and outnumbered the Redlegs all over the ground.

Tall forward Elliott Himmelberg nailed his set shot from 40-metres before Pedlar had his third before the end of the half.

Fortunately for Norwood, Matthew Panos found Ben Jarvis who marked well from 30-metres out on a tight angle nearing the halftime siren. He kicked truly, and Norwood remained in the contest even though trailing by 26-points.

The third term was all one-way traffic as the Crows dominated from start to finish. Despite Jacob Kennerley marking strongly and kicking truly from 40 metres early in the term, it was all Adelaide who kicked seven goals for the term.

The inside 50 count continued to increase in Adelaide’s favour as they were able to win content and gain territory forward of centre.

Heading into the final term, Norwood managed to boot the first three goals to provide some spark into the contest all too late.

The Crows continued to mount pressure upon Norwood’s defence as they fashioned three more goals to run out convincing winners by 55-points.

Redlegs defender Jack Heard was superb in defence with 23 disposals, six marks and five tackles while Nik Rokahr fought hard to tally 32 disposals and six marks.

Emerging Norwood midfielder Nick Lowden finished the game strongly to rack up 22 disposals, nine tackles and a snap goal in traffic.

SCOREBOARD:

ADELAIDE: 4.0 8.5 15.7 18.9 (117)

NORWOOD: 2.2 4.3 5.5 9.8 (62)

GOALS: Panos 2, Kennerley 2, Lowden, Jarvis, Lowe, McLean, Nelligan

BEST: Rokahr, Heard, Ball, Lowden, Rantall