The 2017 Adelaide Crows were like a gifted prizefighter, capable of beating teams with flurries of combinations thanks to their sublime footwork and fast hands.
They loved fighting in the middle of the ring, where space was plentiful and they could dance and duck and shuffle until they found themselves in the most advantageous of positions, their opponents stumbling over themselves, trying to defend against blows from all directions.
When backed into a corner, they were usually slippery enough to escape the confines and get back into the open – where they liked it.
On those occasions where they couldn’t, the Crows were surprisingly tough and disciplined; they could minimise the damage until the bell, rarely were they unable to it back on their terms before too much damage was done.
Unfortunately, they ran into a bare-knuckled brawler in the biggest fight of the season and, worst of all, did so in the brawler’s backyard with an army of Tigers surrounding the ring, growling and snapping at the ropes – it was an ambush.
Adelaide started well, landing a couple of sharp strikes, but the brawler was relentless, throwing punch after punch at the body; grappling, grabbing and shoving the Crows against the ropes and into the corner.
All that wrestling was draining, however, and the rounds were long. In the final minutes of the first round, the brawler was fatigued and the prizefighter managed to free their hands and unload some meaningful blows.
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When the bell rang for the first time, Adelaide had a solid advantage and plenty of confidence, yapping at the brawler on the way to their respective corners – this was not wise.
The second round was ugly. The fatigue of the first round was gone and the brawler was feeling fresh. The trash-talking of the first round had only fuelled them. The roar of the Tigers outside the ring had become deafening; it’s impossible to think those roars didn’t have an impact on the men adjudicating the fight.
The Crows couldn’t escape their own corner; the middle of the ring, where they so desperately wanted to fight, appeared off limits. The brawler had seemingly grown bigger and the surrounds smaller.
The prizefighter’s legendary counter-punches had been taken away. This wasn’t some dim-witted street fighter Adelaide was battling, there was method to the madness and the brawler’s defence was all but impenetrable. The Crows started to make uncharacteristic mistakes, letting their guard down in bizarre ways and being punished for it – and the brawler delighted in letting them know all about those mistakes.
Adelaide were rattled. By the time the bell rang for the second time they were shaken and behind on points.
When the third round began, the brawler unleashed a series of quick, heavy blows. The Crows were bloodied and unsteady on their feet. The fight opened up, but not how Adelaide wanted it too. Now it was the brawler dancing and throwing combinations.
It was effectively over by the end of the round; the only thing missing was a knockout blow and the Adelaide were too broken to be the one to deliver it.
AAP Image/Julian Smith
Salivating Tigers snapped at the ropes, their ravenous appetite about to be sated by the winner’s feast. It had been a long time since they ate this well; for many it was the first time.
The final round was less a fight than a celebration for one side, a procession for the other. Adelaide threw a few desperate punches, but even those that landed were too weak to do any damage. The brawler in yellow and black had won. There was a new champion. The Tigers sang as they feasted.
That was then and this is now. Adelaide have had the summer to dwell on their last fight and have made some significant adjustments – some of their choosing, others not. Their offensive punch is still what makes them most dangerous.
The Crows might not be the one wearing the belt, but it would be a mistake to forget or dismiss how impressive they were, and foolish to think they can’t win it this time – even if the same opponent awaits at the end.
The prizefighter and the brawler will meet again soon enough, and both fighters will look a little different, but neither of them any less dangerous.
Ryan Buckland
Expert
Two goals up after two (ish) minutes!
Michael44
Guest
Umm, I re-read Swannies comment Geoff and they probably could have worded it better. I had originally thought you were a bit harsh on Swannies but I know that no-one likes blanket statements like that directed at their team (at least without good reasons attached anyway). Sorry about that.
Michael44
Guest
Geoff, Was Swannies saying otherwise?
Sammy
Guest
He did play and work for other clubs but at the time he was working day to day with the crows players and they all lost their coach and mentor in an instant. Other clubs lost him but the day to day running of those club's was not affected nearly as keenly as the crows losing Walsh the way he went. All the people who knew him felt the grief but the crows were affected in many other ways also
Slane
Guest
Does Phil Walsh' death mean more to the Crows than any other team? Sure he was the head coach for half a season but he worked and played for other clubs for far longer. His death was a tragedy and certainly affected large swathes of the footballing community. But in no way do the Adelaide Crows have a monopoly on those emotions.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Tex's reaction at the end of the game was a bit ordinary but understandable. When you are favourites to win the flag, have been on top of the table all season and then get flogged in the one game that really matters you are entitled to be shattered and pi$$ed off - both with yourself and the performance of the team.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Brodie Smith has re-signed till the end of 2021. He has an ACL injury. Get your facts right. Lever was always going to chase the almighty dollar that the Crows couldn't or weren't prepared to match and the club received reasonable compensation in the negotiated trade. Charlie Cameron was good at times but inconsistent. Not a huge loss.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
The Tigers would have belted anyone they came up against the GF - including your precious Swans.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Interesting read. As an Adelaide supporter I suspect that if the Crows faced any team other than the Tigers in the GF they win. The Tigers were on a mission with a massive groundswell of support that was going to steamroll anyone in their path - including the Crows. I think the biggest surprise was that the Crows were not prepared for this. It will be interesting to see how the Crows react. They still have a lot of hurt and anger built up from the loss of coach Walsh, the humiliation of the GF loss and the defection of Lever to the Demons in pursuit of the big bucks They've also picked up a prize signing in Bryce Gibbs. If the coaching staff can channel all this correctly they are as big a chance as anyone to win the flag this year.
Swannies
Guest
Adelaide we're overrated last year and got belted by a better team.
Graeme
Guest
Gotta keep loving it that every one thinks the Tigers are unskilled brawlers! All the second half of the season suggests otherwise !! Keep underestimating at your peril!!!
Vocans
Guest
Smith hasn’t left but he’s not on the ground. Gibbs and Gibson both very experienced.
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
Jake Lever, Brodie Smith and Charlie Cameron left, all experienced players.
Neil Wedd
Guest
They need to sort out their differences. Apparently they were arguing at the end of the first quarter on the ground. The argument near the end of the game on the ground where somebody mouthed off at Lever. And the poor sportsmanship of Tex Walker at the end of the game.
Mattician6x6
Guest
Respectfully disagree(even with the woeful coasters prediction) about the 20 min mark of the 2nd tigers took control till then crows destroyed what could've been a good lead.
truetigerfan
Guest
Sozbah Kardinia Snowflake.
truetigerfan
Guest
... or should that be Snowflake?
Penster
Roar Guru
Geelong wouldn't have had mental scars from 2008, they were reigning premiers at the time and the margin wasn't a blow out (except the number of behinds they kicked). Quality sides don't allow defeats to prevent them coming back ie Sydney smashed by 63 points in 2014 came back to play again in 2016.
Cameron Rose
Expert
Very enjoyable read, a nice spin on the greatest grand final of all time. Adrian didn't do it here, but it's important that history doesn't get re-written about that first quarter. Adelaide were two goals up at the first break, but in general play it was clearly Richmond's term. This obviously played out over the next three.
Cat
Roar Guru
Too simplistic RA. A team that goes in big favorites (tipped to win by 6 goals) and lose by 25 points is a far more gut wrenching loss then a team expected to lose by 10 goals that loses by 10 goals.