Coming off disappointing losses, both the Adelaide Crows and the St Kilda Saints will want to redeem themselves with a win when they lock horns at the Adelaide Oval. Join us here on The Roar for all the live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEST).
Has a side ever started the season 8-3 with a percentage of 138.1 and yet still had as many doubters as the Crows do right now?
But the facts are that with three losses from their past five games, Adelaide’s grip on top spot has been shaken, and with Geelong, Richmond and Port Adelaide snapping at their heels, they desperately need a steadying win before next week’s bye.
Rory Sloane was again tagged in the Crows’ loss to Geelong, and with North Melbourne and Melbourne having already tried the same tactic with great success this year, some close attention from the Saints’ designated run-with man Seb Ross looms large.
For St Kilda, season 2017 has been a case of two steps forward and one step back, with some impressive wins mitigated by a few very ordinary performances.
Since their landmark victory over GWS in Round 7, the Saints have racked up a pair of dismal losses in succession to Sydney and the Western Bulldogs, and with finals the expectation after a slow and steady rebuild, coach Alan Richardson finds himself under pressure for the first time in his coaching career.
Superstar veteran Nick Riewoldt’s continued absence will again be keenly felt, with the onus on the recalled Josh Bruce and struggling youngster Paddy McCartin to deliver a winning score up forward.
Prediction
The Saints’ record away from Melbourne has been very ordinary in recent years, and with Adelaide expected to fire up in front of their home crowd, the Crows should be able to get the job done and retake top spot- for the time being.
Adelaide by 41 points
It’s a special night for 26-year old Crow Jonathon Beech, who, after years of starring at SANFL level before being given a lifeline in the 2015 rookie draft, will finally make his AFL debut.
Can the mature-aged ball magnet make it one to remember? Or will the Saints come from the heavens and spring an upset?
Tune into The Roar’s live coverage of the match from 7:50pm (AEST), and be sure to leave a comment or two in the section below.
Tim Miller
Editor
That's it from me tonight. Adelaide ease to a 57-point victory over St Kilda. I'll be back for Sunday's GWS-Carlton fixture (or as I call it, the Liam Jones Comeback Spectacular), or, if you're a tennis fan, I'll be covering tomorrow night's Women's Final. Until then, take care, and thanks for tuning in! Adelaide 16.15 (111) defeated St Kilda 7.12 (54) by 57 points at the Adelaide Oval. GOALS Adelaide: Jenkins 3, Walker 3, Lynch 3, Betts 2, Otten, Smith, Beech, Milera, Sloane. St Kilda: Bruce 4, Billings, Stevens, McCartin. BEST Adelaide: Lynch, Smith, Laird, Jacobs, Lever, Jenkins, Douglas. St Kilda: Bruce, Stevens, Webster, Ross.
Tim Miller
Editor
Adelaide: T. Lynch, three votes. Now here's a guy that should be mentioned in All-Australian circles more. When it comes to link men, he's the best in the business, and I can't recall him playing a bad game this year. And against his old side, he was at his brilliant best, pumping the ball inside 50 on numerous occasions for the benefit of his fellow forwards. 17 touches and 8 marks showcase his ability to find time and space, and with three goals, was the Crows' most dangerous forward. And on a night like this, that's high praise.
Tim Miller
Editor
Adelaide: B. Smith, two votes. You simply can't afford to give Brodie Smith freedom across half-back if you want to beat Adelaide. His pace, his long right leg and his ability to hit up targets have often made him the go-to man for a defensive forward in the past, which has hurt his reputation. But he's a genuine A-Grader, and was on fire again tonight. 26 possessions from half back is great for anyone, but Smith hurts you more than most, and he cut the Saints open time and again tonight.
Tim Miller
Editor
Predictive Brownlow time! Adelaide: R. Laird, one vote. When Laird was poleaxed early last week against Geelong, it really set the tone for the Crows' night. He's a calming presence down back for the Crows, and he racks up possessions like they're going out of business. Finished with 34 touches, 85 per cent of which hit the target, and had a few moments of trademark courage as well. All-Australian, anyone?
Tim Miller
Editor
Full time at the Adelaide Oval, and the Adelaide Crows have put a criticism-fuelled week behind them with a confident 57-point victory over a lacklustre St Kilda. It was a match that never got to any great heights, with the result virtually decided after Adelaide slammed on five goals to one to open the term. But after a week in which their premiership credentials were thrown into question following a disappointing loss to Geelong, it was nevertheless a strong statement from the Crows- particularly with star on-baller Rory Sloane effectively nullified by Koby Stevens. In their losses to North Melbourne, Melbourne and Geelong, Sloane was infamously shut down by taggers, and again he was well below his best with 14 touches, the majority coming from free kicks- but unlike in other weeks, the rest of the midfield picked up the slack. Matt Crouch took on the Sloane role of inside accumulator and outside distributor with 29 quality touches, Richard Douglasf finished with 28 of his own, and even big man Sam Jacobs was racking them up, finishing with 25 disposals to go with 37 hit-outs. But it was up forward where the Crows were at their most formidable, and it was the sheer weight of stars in their attacking 50 that blew the Saints apart. Captain Jarryn Geary was superb in keeping Eddie Betts quiet despite having to contend with 62 inside-50s, and Jake Carlisle kept Taylor Walker quiet before the Crows' skipper bagged a few late, but Tom Lynch and Josh Jenkins steppedup to take on most of the goalkicking responsibilities. Lynch booted four and Jenkins three- and notably, both could have added one more but for Walker and Betts respectively taking the advantage from free kicks at the top of the goalsquare to add to their own tallies. With the Crows' forward line firing on all cylinders, the Saints' efforts looked even more patchy by comparison. Particularly in the first half, the Crows were able to stack numbers behind the ball when the Saints attacked, and for the second consecutive game, the Saints managed just seven goals for the match. On return after a fortnight in the VFL, Josh Bruce bagged four and gave one off in the final term, and was the only goalscorer for the Saints up until three quarter time- but that was really the problem. Nick Riewoldt can't come back quickly enough, with Tim Membrey again hardly sighted and Paddy McCartin really struggling to make an impact. But as the match petered out, with the Crows coasting through the second half and the Saints kicking four goals in the last quarter to keep the margin in check, there was still a moment to make you smile. 26-year old first gamer Jonathon Beech, after plying his trade for years in the SANFL, gathered on the half-forward flank in the last quarter, turned, stepped around Dylan Roberton, and drilled the goal from 40 to the delight of the fans, his teammates, and everyone who loves a good footy story. And in a frankly quite boring match, that was at least something to remember.
Tim Miller
Editor
Gilbert wide to Sinclair on the wing, he goes down to Bruce, who collects it, and the siren sounds to signal an emphatic Adelaide win. Adelaide 16.15 (111) St Kilda 7.12 (54) FULL TIME
Tim Miller
Editor
GOAL ADELAIDE Crows break through again as Milera finds Jenkins in space on the wing, who takes a bounce, runs to 50 and sets it up for Lynch...who wins a dubious free against Ross for a block! Nope, on replay it was there, a clear free. Anyway, Walker poached the ball from the ground, ran in and kicks his third. Tom Lynch entitled to feel a little peeved there I reckon. Adelaide 16.15 (111) St Kilda 7.12 (54) Q4, 0.33 left
Tim Miller
Editor
BEHIND ST KILDA Bruce picks up brilliantly on the half-forward line and goes long to Weller one-out with Laird, he can't mark but gets to the fall of the ball, has a snap...but Laird denies him with a brilliant smother! Super stuff that. Spills to Steven who has a quick snap on the left boot, but it's offline. Adelaide 15.15 (105) St Kilda 7.12 (54) Q4, 2.28 left
Tim Miller
Editor
Clock running down on this one, and for the Saints, the siren probably can't sound quickly enough.
Tim Miller
Editor
BEHIND ST KILDA Saints win it from the centre and Billings goes long, and Bruce takes a nice mark ahead of Lever! But from 50 out, the distance is too much and he sprays it to the left, just squeezing in a minor score. Adelaide 15.15 (105) St Kilda 7.11 (53) Q4, 4.22 left
Tim Miller
Editor
GOAL ADELAIDE This is starting to really cripple St Kilda's percentage now. Brad Crouch with the quick kick out of the centre, Walker picks it up brilliantly for a big man, wheels onto his right, and splits the middle from 50! Goal of the night I'd wager. Adelaide 15.15 (105) St Kilda 7.10 (52) Q4, 5.06 left
Tim Miller
Editor
GOAL ADELAIDE Atkins gathers on the wing and pumps it long to Jenkins at the hot spot. Ross is back there, he goes back but can't pick it up, the umpire's whistle blows for a free kicj against Geary for a block, and Betts gathers, steals Jenkins' goal, runs into the open goal and puts through his second. Adelaide 14.15 (99) St Kilda 7.10 (52) Q4, 5.20 left
Tim Miller
Editor
GOAL ST KILDA Ross finds Webster in space on the wing who takes a couple of steps and goes long in the Bruce direction, it's a beautiful kick and he marks in the pocket. From 20 on a slight angle, he threads the needle with ease! Four for Bruce, he's been terrific for St Kilda tonight. Adelaide 13.15 (93) St Kilda 7.10 (52) Q4, 6.35 left
Tim Miller
Editor
BEHIND ADELAIDE Roberton fumbles under pressure on the defensive side of the centre square and lets Lynch through the door, who runs to 50 and lets loose a skimmer that bounces into the post. Adelaide 13.15 (93) St Kilda 6.10 (46) Q4, 8.01 left
Tim Miller
Editor
GOAL ADELAIDE Atkins does really well to burn off Steven on the wing and give to Walker on a lead 70 out, and the captain takes it on the slide. Goes long to the hot spot, and Jenkins floats in to take it nearly uncontested in front of the pack, and then plays on with nobody between him and the goal, and waltzes to the line before banging it home. That was too easy. Adelaide 13.14 (92) St Kilda 6.10 (46) Q4, 10.04 left
Tim Miller
Editor
Hamstring troubles for Nathan Brown on the sidelines. It hasn't been a good night for the Saints.
Tim Miller
Editor
BEHIND ADELAIDE Beech feeds Laird who spears a pass to Otten on the lead, who chips over the top to Walker in the pocket. From 35 on a tight angle, the captain misses. Adelaide 12.14 (86) St Kilda 6.10 (46) Q4, 11.35 left
Tim Miller
Editor
St Kilda's defence have done really well to keep a dangerous Adelaide forward line to just 12 goals tonight, but they're still not looking likely up forward. Nick Riewoldt is still so important to their forward structure, and with his retirement looming, you've got to question whether they'll be able to cope with his loss.
Tim Miller
Editor
BEHIND ADELAIDE Knight gives to Cameron from a stoppage just outside the Crows' forward 50, he fumbles, recovers quickly, burns off Sinclair, gets to 50 and his snap...is offline. Would have been a corker, but the kick didn't match the pace. Adelaide 12.13 (85) St Kilda 6.10 (46) Q4, 13.33 left
Tim Miller
Editor
Aaaand another mention of Hugh Greenwood's basketball background from Sodas. Drink up, everyone.