The Adelaide Crows have started the season 5-0 for the first time in their history with an emphatic 67-point win over the undermanned Gold Coast Suns.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Gold Coast Suns 13.8.86
Adelaide Crows 23.15.153
The in-form Gold Coast Suns host the red-hot Adelaide Crows at Metricon Stadium in what promises to be a high-scoring, high-intensity match. Join The Roar from 4:35pm AEST for live scores and commentary.
The Suns are searching for their first legitimate scalp, while the Crows need to keep the wins ticking over as they have much loftier aspirations.
After sounding the alarm bells about the Gold Coast after Round 2, the Suns have responded with two polished and mature performances.
Last week in the victory over the Blues Tom Lynch played the perfect key forward’s game – 19 disposals, 12 marks and – most importantly – seven goals straight to finish the hard work.
Adam Saad is breaking lines off half back to cut teams open, and the midfield led by Gary Ablett has had more grunt.
It’s just more of the same from Adelaide at the moment. They are currently No.1 in the league for goals, marks inside 50, No.2 for goal kicking accuracy, and No.3 for inside 50s.
The midfield wins its fair share of contested ball and there is clearly a mandate to move the ball quickly at any cost.
This is giving the likes of Eddie Betts and Taylor Walker every chance to score heavily and they have been more than happy to oblige so far this season.
The Suns have lost Steven May to a hamstring which makes their task all the more difficult as it leaves a string of inexperienced options down back to stand the inform Walker.
The Crows regain Brad Crouch but are still down a few key players – Josh Jenkins and Mitch McGovern the most notable.
Big game for
Brandon Matera: Much like the Suns he has looked great in the past fortnight but needs to put some runs on the board against quality opposition to silence the doubters once and for all.
Richard Douglas: Gets to 200 games and has shown no signs of slowing down. Has had a solid start to the year, winning his share possession as well as hitting the scoreboard. He will want to continue this form as the Crows regain injured stars and squeeze starts to come.
Prediction
The Suns have returned to form in the last couple of weeks, but that will be severely tested against the Adelaide. While the Suns will be able to score, the Crows will score more easily and will win pretty comfortably. The loss of May is massive given the tall options Adelaide has ahead of the ball, and they should get the job done in what should be a bit of a shoot-out.
Adelaide by 40 points.
Join The Roar from 4:35pm AEST for live scores and commentary.
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
Final score: Adelaide: 23.15.153 defeat Gold Coast 13.8.86
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
151-86 Crows Consolation goal for Brandon Matera, he has had another quiet one!
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
151-79 Crows Crows too easy through the middle of the ground again. Adny Otten gets his second! Big win for the Crows now.
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
145-79 Crows Such dash from Adelaide! brilliant to watch!
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
145-79 Crows Callum Ah Chee has 5! thats a nice return suddenly!
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
145-73 Crows Another one, cant keep up... Menzel gets his second. He hasnt done much today!
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
139-73 Crows Both Tom Lynchs have been good tonight! The Adelaide has probably just shaded the Suns counterpart.
XI
Roar Guru
I really hope this isn't going to be a boring season where the Crows win every game by 8+ goals.
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
139-73 Crows The young Suns defense just cant hold up to the relentless ball movement! Tom Lynch gets another out the back after Tex splits the pack!
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
133-73 Crows Brodie Smith caps off a nice days work with a late goal! his run and carry has been important.
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
im 32 and have had a knee reco, but i reckon i could have snagged a few tonight!
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
120-73 Crows I would love to play in this Adelaide forward line! so much movement and work for one another! not to mention the service.....
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
120-72 Crows Another one to the Suns as the Crows have the foot off the pedal. Aaron Hall has improved his numbers in the second half!
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
120-66 Crows Tom Lynch spoon feeds Ah Chee for another, he has 4 now so a successful come back! with the pressure off the Suns skills have returned!
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
120-60 Crows Crows respond again! Tex out the back.... we might get 40 goals yet!?
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
114-60 Crows Ah Chee gets the first one of the last quarter.... Wide open space in both forward lines!
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
last quarter away!
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
Crows will be happy to get out of QLD without anymore injuries! and they'll try to get Eddie to 500.
Patrick McGeoch
Roar Guru
3qt: Crows 114 lead Suns 53 Feels like the pressure went right out of the game that quarter as both teams got on the end of some easier goals. Adelaide has been well served by runners off half back, and have connected so well with their forwards. The Suns got a bit more reward for clearance work that quarter but its too little too late.