The Adelaide Crows have jumped into the Top 8 with a 33-point victory over the Fremantle Dockers at Adelaide Oval.
REPORT: CROWS HAND DOCKERS A HIDING
It was a close first half in this clash, as it was only Fremantle’s inaccuracy that kept them in arrears. The Crows led by 12 points at the main break, and it promised (at that stage) to be a good contest the rest of the way.
It wasn’t to be however, as the Crows put on four goals to one in the third quarter to kick away to a 32-point lead, and it was out of reach from that point forward. The Dockers were good in the final quarter, but this was Adelaide’s day.
Rory Sloane was dominant for the Crows, picking up 31 disposals to go with 8 tackles and a goal. Eddie Betts kicked four for the victors, while Sam Jacobs controlled the stoppages.
Michael Walters was brilliant in a beaten side today, picking up 29 disposals and 3 goals. Matthew Pavlich kicked 1.4 for the day, and will be left to rue his missed opportunities.
Final score
Adelaide Crows 14.13 (97)
Fremantle Dockers 8.16 (64)
The Adelaide Crows have been on the best teams so far in 2016, yet they still find themselves outside the top eight. They’ll get a chance to move up when they face the winless Fremantle Dockers at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2:10pm AEST.
The Crows have been fantastic so far in 2016, with their only losses being to the undefeated Kangaroos, and the reigning premiers Hawthorn. That was one of the games of the year so far, as the Hawks relied on a late Paul Puopolo goal to get up by three points. With the midfield in sublime form, the Crows’ ceiling is as high as anyone’s at the moment.
The Dockers are having a stinker of the season, one which has been exacerbated by their home loss to the Blues last weekend. That loss was made even worse by the news that Nat Fyfe will be out indefinitely with a broken leg. The Dockers have shown nothing so far this season, and they fully deserve to be last on the ladder at this point.
The Crows have named an unchanged side for this clash, and with the side in such good condition, it’s hard to take anyone out at the moment. Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Wayne Milera, and Ricky Henderson are the emergencies.
The Dockers have named two changes, with David Mundy and Connor Blakely coming in for Nat Fyfe and Michael Johnson. For a side with so many injuries, losing those two players is almost an early death sentence for their season.
The Dockers have had the wood on the Crows recently, as they have won the last four clashes between these two sides, including the last two in Adelaide. However, these are two completely different sides, and the Crows will start as extremely short-priced favourites.
Prediction
This one could get ugly. The Crows are much better than their current ladder position, while the Dockers are winless for a reason. With the most dangerous forward-line in the comp, the Crows could make life very difficult for the Dockers.
Crows by 52
John
Guest
It was probably because 2 of the goals that he kicked were well after the game was over in time on in the last quater
Balthazar
Guest
Why not give it to Walters? He WAS the best player on the ground. Let it not be forgotten that he scored 3.2 despite playing at least half the game in the midfield, where he was equally influential
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
MVP VOTING 3. Rory Sloane: Was the best player in the winning side. Kicked a very deserving goal to put the cherry on top of his performance. 2. Michael Walters: Probably the best individual player on the ground, just couldn't bring myself to give him the maximum votes. 1. Eddie Betts: 17 disposals and 4 goals. Just another day out for the Crows' superstar.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME The Adelaide Crows have jumped into the Top 8 with a 33 point victory over the Fremantle Dockers at Adelaide Oval. It was a close first half in this clash, as it was only Fremantle's inaccuracy that kept them in arrears. The Crows led by 12 points at the main break, and it promised (at that stage) to be a good contest the rest of the way. It wasn't to be however, as the Crows put on four goals to one in the third quarter to kick away to a 32-point lead, and it was out of reach from that point forward. The Dockers were good in the final quarter, but this was Adelaide's day. Rory Sloane was dominant for the Crows, picking up 31 disposals to go with 8 tackles and a goal. Eddie Betts kicked four for the victors, while Sam Jacobs controlled the stoppages. Michael Walters was brilliant in a beaten side today, picking up 29 disposals and 3 goals. Matthew Pavlich kicked 1.4 for the day, and will be left to rue his missed opportunities. Thanks for joining The Roar for this clash, and be sure to stick with us for the rest of your weekend's footy needs.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
0' Walters marks inside 50, and he's very unlucky not to get a 50-metre penalty after getting a late shove from Cheney. Now he's told to play on very quickly, and his panicked kick is a turnover. Crows 14.13 97 Dockers 8.16 64
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND DOCKERS 2' Michael Walters wins the footy inside 50, but he chooses to go by hands to Blakely. The young fella puts his shot out to the right. Crows 14.13 97 Dockers 8.16 64
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL DOCKERS 4' A good late push from the Dockers here, as they're getting a few repeat entries. Barlow sends them inside now, and Walters floats in from the side to take a grab!! He's looking at his third goal of the final quarter, and he's got it. Crows 14.13 97 Dockers 8.15 63
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL DOCKERS 5' Good ball movement at half back, and now the Dockers are away. Walters finds Pavlich at half forward, and he now has Griffin all by himself inside 50. This should be an easy set shot, and the ruckman puts it through!! Crows 14.13 97 Dockers 7.15 57
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
7' This game has livened up in the last quarter. The Crows go forward quickly from the middle, and Cameron will get it to Thompson. He handballs over to Walker, but the Dockers manage to shut him down, and they're out of danger via Neale. Crows 14.13 97 Dockers 6.15 51
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL DOCKERS 7' Walters is taken high by Kyle Hartigan, and the Crows' defender could be in some strife. Went for the bump, and got Walters' head. He goes back and kicks the goal. Crows 14.13 97 Dockers 6.15 51
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL CROWS 8' McGovern marks in front of Mundy just shy of the goal square. Bad mistake there from the Dockers, no one really looked interested in spoiling the ball. McGovern puts it through. Crows 14.13 97 Dockers 5.15 45
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL CROWS 9' Jenkins takes a one-handed grab in the pocket, and there's a goal coming up for the Crows. He handballs over the top to Betts, who just barrels it through!! Crows 13.13 91 Dockers 5.15 45
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND CROWS 10' Lyons with a clever kick to Cameron on the 50, who turns around and spots Betts in the pocket. He's called to play on, but he still may create something here. He gets a rolling snap away, and it bounces straight into the post. Crows 12.13 85 Dockers 5.15 45
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
11' Walters with a good extraction out of the middle, and the Dockers go forward quickly. No mark taken, and the ball trickles out of bounds. Now the Crows win the clearance, and they're away. Crows 12.12 84 Dockers 5.15 45
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL DOCKERS 11' David Mundy has been very good in a beaten side, and he manages to get one inside 50. Now Taberner handballs off to Walters, and he sends it deep inside 50. Mayne has done extremely well here, as he manages to beat Cheney to the footy. Now he toes it to his advantage, before soccering one through!! Crows 12.12 84 Dockes 5.15 45
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND DOCKERS 12' Barlow with a clearance from the middle, and the Dockers have numbers around the footy. The Crows do well to stop that threat, but now Lever is extremely lucky not to be pinged in the pocket. The Dockers just scramble it towards the goal-mouth, where it's rushed through. Crows 12.12 84 Dockers 4.15 39
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL CROWS 13' So much space around the ground for the Crows now, and Sloane receives a handball 70 from goal. There's no-one within 20 metres of him, and he'll just run to 50 and kick a goal!!! Crows 12.12 84 Dockers 4.14 38
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND CROWS 14' Mackay is away, and he hits Cameron just outside 50. McGovern is all by himself, and Cameron finds him 35 from goal. This is quickly getting ugly for the Dockers, but McGovern can only add a single point. Crows 11.12 78 Dockers 4.14 38
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL CROWS 15' Bad turnover in the centre of the ground, and the Crows will go forward. Jenkins kicks deep inside 50, and Betts will mark right on the goal line. He snaps an easy goal!! Crows 11.11 77 Dockers 4.14 38
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND CROWS 16' Sloane and Thompson combine in the middle, and Jenkins will take a strong mark 30 from goal. He's missed to the left. Crows 10.11 71 Dockers 4.14 38