A blistering start and a dominant third term has Adelaide cruising towards a comfortable pre-season victory over the West Coast Eagles at Richmond Oval.
After a scoreless first five minutes, Adelaide slammed on four of the first five goals of the game to open up an early advantage.
“They’re on the move, they’re dangerous, they’re dominant in the ruck,” four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis told Fox Footy.
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Jake Waterman responded for the visitors and Jack Darling kicked two ripping goals at the start of the second term, but the Crows’ midfield continued to dominate.
Sam Berry, who fell out of favour in 2023, in particular had a strong start to the game, booting two goals in the first two quarters to help the Crows establish a 27-point lead at half-time. Adelaide legend Mark Ricciuto dubbed Berry the Crows’ “forgotten midfielder”.
Izak Rankine and Josh Rachele looked dynamic both close to goal and on the ball, kicking six goals between them across the first three quarters to give Adelaide a 49-point lead at the final change.
West Coast’s No. 1 draftee Harley Reid, who was well held in match simulation against Fremantle last week, was much more prevalent against the Crows, who used every opportunity to get stuck into Reid.
“It seems like the Adelaide players are going out of their way to be physical to Harley Reid. Seen it on a few occasions where they’ve been physical,” Lewis said.
Adelaide received a big boost ahead of Round 1 with key defender Jordon Butts fit to return from a broken foot. Josh Worrell and James Borlase have both been named in Adelaide’s backline and could be competing for one spot should Butts pull up well ahead of the Crows’ season opener. Josh Rachele and Izak Rankine have both been named forward while tough on-baller Sam Berry, who fell out of favour last season, is in the starting 18 with Matt Crouch named on the bench.
West Coast veterans Jeremy McGovern (soreness) and Jack Darling (hamstring) have both overcome complaints to play their first pre-season matches, but the Eagles will be without Oscar Allen (knee) and Reuben Ginbey (concussion), who are expected to be fit for round 1. With Matt Flynn out for months with a hamstring tendon injury, the Eagles named all the other ruckmen on their list in the side to audition for a place alongside Bailey Williams.
Ahead of the home and away season, former Hawks sharpshooter Ben Dixon predicted Adelaide would jump up into the top four this season.
“I just think from the up-and-coming teams, it looks like over the pre-season they’ve tightened defensively better. Offence was always there and a real strength, but now defensively they look like a more complete team,” Dixon told foxfooty.com.au.
“They’re young, exciting – I can see them having a massive spike … There’s always one bolter and I definitely think it’s Adelaide.”
This match gets underway at 3.10pm (AEDT) from Hisense Stadium, Adelaide.
Live and exclusive coverage of the match begins at 3pm on Fox Footy, via Foxtel (Channel 504) and Kayo Sports.
CROWS
B: Josh Worrell, Jordon Butts, Max Michalanney
HB: Brodie Smith, James Borlase, Mitch Hinge
C: Chayce Jones, Jordan Dawson, Lachie Sholl
HF: Ben Keays, Josh Rachele, Izak Rankine
F: Riley Thilthorpe, Taylor Walker, Darcy Fogarty
FOLL: Reilly O’Brien, Rory Laird, Sam Berry
I/C: Luke Pedlar, Jake Soligo, Will Hamill, Lachie Murphy, Matt Crouch, Chris Burgess, Wayne Milera, Ned McHenry
EMER: Kieran Strachan, Brayden Cook, Luke Nankervis, Lachlan Gollant
Notable absentees: Nick Murray, Daniel Curtin, Rory Sloane, Mark Keane, Elliott Himmelberg
EAGLES
B: Alex Witherden, Tom Barrass, Tom Cole
HB: Liam Duggan, Jeremy McGovern, Brady Hough
C: Jayden Hunt, Elliot Yeo, Andrew Gaff
HF: Noah Long, Jake Waterman, Jamie Cripps
F: Jack Petruccelle, Jack Darling, Ryan Maric
FOLL: Bailey Williams, Tim Kelly, Harley Reid
I/C: Luke Edwards, Jamaine Jones, Callum Jamieson, Campbell Chesser, Harry Barnett, Loch Rawlinson, Tyrell Dewar, Coen Livingstone
Notable absentees: Reuben Ginbey, Dom Sheed, Tyler Brockman, Oscar Allen, Liam Ryan, Matt Flynn, Elijah Hewett
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