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Highlights: Tex back in form as Crows smash Suns on Gold Coast

Roar Guru
21st May, 2016
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The Adelaide Crows have recorded an easy victory over the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium on Satruday afternoon, winning 22.17.149 to 11.8.74.

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This was simply a one-sided contest between a disciplined, stable, effective team in the Adelaide Crows and a young, injury-ravaged Gold Coast side bereft of confidence.

While Adelaide lacked focus early, and took a few minutes to assert themselves, they quickly got well on top and there was really no stage where the Suns looked like getting back into the contest.

Adelaide were well on top in every statistic, but only truly dominant in the inside 50s and of course the scoreboard. That reflects how much more direct and efficient they were than the Suns, using the corridor whenever possible and in turn gumming up that part of the ground when the Suns had their chances. It was simply smart, strategic footy from the visitors.

The Crows had a big lead in the clearances early, although Gold Coast pegged that back somewhat, but in the brief time when the game was there to be won Rory Sloane, Richard Douglas and Scott Thompson were well served by Sam Jacobs’ ruckwork, providing plenty of opportunity for Paul Seedsman and Brodie Smith on the outside, while Tom T Lynch, Wayne Milera, Taylor Walker and Charlie Cameron capitalised in the forwardline.

Gold Coast can take some heart from some respectable individual performances. Dion Prestia was their best, but Jesse Lonergan and Peter Wright were also impressive.

There probably isn’t too much to take from this game. 74 points is probably about a par win, in reality, given the gulf between the two sides.

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Adelaide get the percentage boost they need, and some confidence ahead of hosting the Giants at Adelaide Oval next weekend.

The Suns’ sixth straight loss just underlines how hard things are for them at the moment.

The Roar’s AFL MVP votes
3: Daniel Talia (Adelaide) – This might raise some eyebrows given the nature of the game, but he was brilliant. Sure, the ball didn’t find its way into the Suns forwardline very often, but in large part that was because of the work Talia did following Tom J Lynch up onto the wing and preventing the star forward from helping his teammates clear the ball. Not only did Talia nullify Lynch, but he collected 23 touches, nine marks and even kicked a goal. A great defender’s game.

2: Taylor Walker (Adelaide) – Five goals from Tex, but it was his bullocking work around half forward to create opportunities for his teammates that stood out. He also had 19 possessions, nine marks and three goal assists.

1: Tom T Lynch (Adelaide) – The best player on the ground in the first half, Adelaide’s Lynch was his normal busy self, working to link with his teammates and drive the ball forward. He had twenty-two disposals, ten marks and two goals.

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