Adelaide has kicked off its highly-anticipated 2024 campaign against the Gold Coast Suns — but has done so without one of its most important players.
The Suns (1-0) were mightily impressive in a first-up win over Richmond last weekend, with midfielder Matt Rowell dominant around the ground and the team’s forward line firing.
The Crows, who are considered a finals fancy in 2024, have been hit hard by injury in recent months — and they’ll be without star veteran Taylor Walker due to a back spasm.
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This match gets underway at 8.10pm (AEDT) from People First Stadium.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (Channel 503) or Kayo Sports from 8pm (AEDT).
There were no late changes for either side, with Darcy MacPherson (Gold Coast) and Jake Soligo (Adelaide) named the starting substitutes.
ROLLING MATCH UPDATES
Ben Keays kicked the Crows’ first major of the season in nifty snapping fashion, answering early Suns goals from Ben Ainsworth and Noah Anderson.
Conditions aren’t ideal in a wet and slippery Carrara, but the Suns have been the quicker of the two sides to adjust, owning a 13-point quarter-time lead.
“It’s starting to pour with rain, and conditions are going to be pretty hard from now on in,” reported Fox Footy’s Alastair Lynch from the sideline at quarter-time.
Lynch also revealed his findings from Adelaide’s tag on Matt Rowell.
“Obviously, the Adelaide Crows put a lot of work into this during the week, and they’ve got a couple of things they’re actually doing,” Lynch said.
“Sam Berry from half-forward is going up to stoppages around the ground and locking in on him. He’s only had the seven touches and no clearances in that first quarter.
“Jordan Dawson’s also going with him and (Rory) Laird, so they’re putting a lot of time into him at stoppages.”
Ainsworth kicked his second goal early in the second term, pushing Gold Coast’s lead to 20 points.
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