A stunning cameo from the AFL’s oldest rookie helped Adelaide thrash Collingwood by 77 points to secure their berth in the pre-season cup final.
Adelaide’s 29-year-old Ian Callinan produced a game-changing burst as the Crows logged a 1.20.9 (138) to 1.7.10 (61) victory in Friday night’s AAMI Stadium encounter.
With the match in the balance and Adelaide holding an eight-point, half-time buffer, Callinan was substituted into the game with instant impact.
The rookie-listed small man set up two goals and threaded a remarkable left-footer himself in a 10-minute span which floored the Magpies.
Adelaide forward Jason Porplyzia kicked four goals, and Tom Lynch and Shaun McKernan each booted three, as the Crows remained undefeated in four pre-season games under new coach Brenton Sanderson.
Their cup final opponents, and the venue, will be determined by Saturday night’s clash between West Coast and St Kilda.
Collingwood spearhead Jason Cloke kicked two goals but the Callinan-inspired Crows booted 17 goals and a super goal to the Magpies’ four majors after quarter-time.
Callinan played three premiership games last year in a season cruelled when he ripped a bicep muscle off the bone.
But he tore up the Magpies in collecting eight damaging disposals in the third quarter.
Callinan created third term goals for Sam Kerridge and Lynch before capping his influence with a remarkable goal from a tight angle to give the Crows a defining 34-point lead.
Adelaide were well served by half-back Brent Reilly and emerging midfielders Patrick Dangerfield Rory Sloane while Porplyzia was outstanding as he continued his successful comeback from shoulder reconstruction last season.
The Magpies’ senior core of Scott Pendlebury, Harry O’Brien, Steele Sidebottom, captain Nick Maxwell and Dane Swan were reliable performers without leaving a massive imprint.
Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson said his club would lobby the AFL to host next week’s cup grand final.
“That is an opportunity to play in a winning final,” he said.
“Every time the Adelaide Crows play, we play to win.”
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley refused to use the inexperience of his side as an excuse.
“Our performance was below where it wanted to be,” he said.
“This club wouldn’t have leaked 138 points in any game for a long period of time, and that is credit to Adelaide.”
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Interestingly from the write-ups the Saints had a full-strength best 22 on the ground whilst the Eagles had eight best 22 sitting this one out.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Some good highlights from the Eagles v Saints game - that 9 pointer from Darling would have been a 65m kick on the run
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Izzy and Karmichael share a bond on an historic day: http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=130438&utm_medium=RSS
The Cattery
Roar Guru
A rousing rendition of the GWS club song after their historic first win: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EmEXnI-6CA They lost it a bit in the middle, but they finished with a mighty flourish.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Theres a Big Big Sound from the West of the Town ...
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Write up of GWS vs suns game: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/130434/default.aspx GOALS GWS: Sumner 2, Palmer 2, Green 2, Cornes, Miles, Bugg, Cameron, Hampton GOLD COAST: Caddy (supergoal), Brown 3, Smith 2, Swallow, Hickey, Sexton BEST GWS: Palmer, Miles, Sumner, Ward, Cornes, Davis GOLD COAST: Brennan, Smith, Swallow, Brown, Hunt, INJURIES GWS: Nil GOLD COAST: Nil Reports: Nil Official crowd: 6740 at Lavington Sports Ground'
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Picture from the GWS rooms after the game against the Suns, their first win as an AFL club: https://twitter.com/#!/GWS_Giants/status/178404913485856768/photo/1
The Cattery
Roar Guru
First win for GWS as an AFL club.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
GWS has defeated the Suns by 13 pts. Izzy set up the last goal. top 2 draft picks, Toby Greene and Liam Sumner, had good games will they sing the new club song???
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Crowd of 6,740 has turned up at Lavington today for Giants vs Suns NAB cup game.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
GWS lead Suns in final minutes by 13 pts Hawthorn 10 goals up against the dees
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Port def Freo by 20pts HT at Lavington, Suns lead Giants by 5 pts
The Cattery
Roar Guru
giants trail suns by 6 pts Hawks lead dees by 39pts Port lead Freo close to end, should win Lions lead Carlton by around 6 goals tiges thrashed geelong
The Cattery
Roar Guru
that must be his junior footy team
Guido
Guest
Great stuff, but isn't there more needy schools around than Sacred Heart?
The Cattery
Roar Guru
tiges now lead Geelong by 68 pts
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Matty Pavlich kicked a @NAB Supergoal in the 2nd term, earning $500 of Sherrins for Sacred Heart College in South Australia
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Carlton have just taken the lead against Brisbane, qtr time now Port 3 goals up against Freo at HT
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Tiges currently giving Geelong a bit of a touch up (on 504). There are a few NAB games happening this arvo that aren't on Fox: Brisbane 2.2 lead Carlton 2.1 Port lead Freo by a few goals. Giants have just run out onto the ground at Lavington (Albury) where they meet the Suns, big cheer from the crowd, plenty of support for the giants here this arvo.
stabpass
Guest
Ha ha Buckley.