WE’RE BACK
CROWS BEATEN IN SEPTEMBER ... BUT NOT IN MARCH
TASMANIAN Hugh Greenwood was celebrating a goal last night, and his Adelaide Crows were also jubilant after scoring a comfortable 36-point win against Richmond at Adelaide Oval. The Crows were pipped by Essendon in Round 1, but last night’s win was especially sweet against the side that belted them in last year’s grand final.
ADELAIDE’S maligned forward Josh Jenkins kicked five goals in a 36-point win against Richmond in last night’s AFL grand final rematch.
Jenkins made some belated amends for his poor grand final showing in the Crows’ triumph at Adelaide Oval.
Jenkins was among a batch of Crows under scrutiny for a poor performance in Adelaide’s loss to the Tigers in last year’s premiership decider. But the tall forward booted four first-half goals as the Crows turned the tables on Richmond, who were overly reliant on the brilliance of Dustin Martin (25 touches, five goals).
Adelaide captain Taylor Walker potted four goals while emerging attacking sidekick Darcy Fogarty and rookie Lachlan Murphy kicked two each. Adelaide onballers Hugh Greenwood (26 possessions), Rory Sloane (25 touches) and Bryce Gibbs (28 disposals) were influential, while Rory Laird (42 disposals) was a standout in defence.
Martin was clearly Richmond’s best, roaming far and wide before sparking a late challenge. Josh Caddy (three goals) was dangerous in attack and utility Shane Edwards (19 possessions) was busy.
Key forward Jenkins helped the Crows craft a 12-point halftime lead.
Adelaide threatened to break away in the second quarter — when Jenkins slotted his third goal, they were 20 points up. But two late goals to Richmond hero Martin, the second a trademark 55m bomb on the run, pulled the visitors within reach. Richmond was within six points when Caddy booted his third early in the third quarter, but that was as close as the Tigers got.
Adelaide responded with three unanswered goals and held a 22-point lead at threequarter time, though key defender Daniel Talia was hampered by strapping to his right knee.
The Tigers — and Martin — issued one last rally when the Brownlow medallist kicked two goals in six minutes of the final quarter. Martin dragged the Tigers within nine points before a slip-up in defence changed the tide.
Richmond backman David Astbury butchered a kick, which dribbled to Crows captain Walker who turned and goaled from 50m.
Walker’s teammate Sloane then threaded a boundary-line set shot before Jenkins iced the win with his fifth goal.