Adelaide’s prized recruit Bryce Gibbs has made an instant impact for his new AFL club in a 10-point pre-season win against Fremantle.
Adelaide won 13.13 (91) to 12.9 (81) in Sunday’s trial game at Strathalbyn, a township about 60km south-east of Adelaide.
Gibbs had 19 disposals by halftime to help the Crows create a 29-point lead at the long break.
But Fremantle, inspired by skipper Nat Fyfe, came back to take a nine-point lead with 10 minutes remaining – only for the Crows to kick three late goals to steal victory.
Gibbs, the ex-Carlton star, finished with 27 touches and clicked with midfield partner Matt Crouch, who collected a game-high 36 possessions.
Adelaide’s Tom Lynch, acting captain in the absence of skipper Taylor Walker and his deputy Rory Sloane, gathered 21 disposals and kicked two goals while Rory Laird was productive with 26 touches.
Crows rookie Lachlan Murphy impressed with three goals and Mitch McGovern and Rory Atkins booted two each.
Fremantle’s Fyfe was outstanding with 27 touches and two goals and onballer Lachie Neale (25 disposals) was busy.
The Dockers’ No.2 draft pick Andrew Brayshaw (14 possessions) showed glimpses of class and Matt Taberner was a leading light in attack with three majors.
Adelaide, missing 12 players from their losing grand final side from last year, kicked two goals within four minutes of the game.
The Dockers, fielding a near full-strength team, rallied with the next three majors to take a 3.1 to 2.3 lead at quarter-time.
The Crows dominated the second stanza, keeping their opponents to just one point while booting 5.4 themselves.
But the Dockers turned the tide in the third term, kicking five goals to two to sneak within 10 points at three-quarter time.
Fremantle continued to ride their momentum into the last quarter and when Fyfe booted his second major, the visitors led by nine points some 17 minutes into the final term.
But a late scoring flurry from the Crows delivered victory before 6,398 spectators.
rusty
Roar Rookie
For a pre season game it was actually a quality game. Taberner looked good as did Luke Ryan and Alex Pearce, plus the usual suspects. Can’t see D.Pearce or Sheridan playing too many games.
mattyb
Guest
He does work hard,I'll give you that. Maybe a decent game to get some confidence back and he'll turn it all around.
Don Freo
Guest
I was happy with Ballas' defensive run. Some solid grunt work around the wings and into defense. Non-stat but good pressure.
Don Freo
Guest
Just read that. That is not a Freo game plan. You might have the wrong club. North Freo amateurs maybe? Perhaps you are still looking at Damien Drum tapes.
Don Freo
Guest
Which game plan? It doesn't seem to matter which game plan over Ross' decade and a half of coaching he refers to. In anon's mind, they are all flawed because it is Ross. It is absolutely certain, anon, that you can't and won't describe the game plan you criticize.It is also certain that any game plan you imagine he uses is no game plan he has in place. I doubt you even know what game plan is. For you it is just a cliche.
anon
Roar Pro
Just in terms of ball movement. Not a lack of skill or ability, but the directive to move the ball sideways slowly. They are very stagnant. It's a function of having too many players defending behind the ball or around the ball. Never anyone up field when it's time to transition. Not an issue in a practice game where the intensity isn't there from the opposition meaning you can move the ball freely even if your game plan is massively flawed.
dontknowmuchaboutfootball
Guest
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
What flaws? I’m intrigued.
mattyb
Guest
The Dockers looked pretty good I thought. Fyfe and Nealle were excellent,Sandilands showed there's still plenty of life there. Pearce and Ryan were excellent. Tabaner was very good and looks like he could take last year's form into this year. Wasn't overly impressed with Brayshaw,he's young though and will develop at Peel. I get the potential argument people have for kids,but they also need to win there fair share of the ball to be considered senior footballers. McCarthy was ordinary. Little bit worried about Ballantynes future. He was non existent for mine.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
anon makes up his opinion then goes searching for something that sounds like it might support it, roughly.
anon
Roar Pro
The flaws with the game plan will come apparent when the actual season starts.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
What’s your point? Fremantle lost yesterday’s game. I don’t understand how it equates to anything that happened in 2016?
anon
Roar Pro
2016 JLT Series Freo had a 10 goal win over the Tigers. Beat the Crows and Cats. Then lost the first 11 games for the season I think it was.