A serious knee injury to Josh Jenkins has soured Adelaide’s 33-point AFL triumph over a depleted Richmond.
Jenkins kicked four goals in the Crows’ 15.11 (101) to 9.14 (68) win on Thursday night at Adelaide Oval.
But the key forward’s right knee hyperextended horribly in the last minute, muting the celebrations of his teammates.
Crows coach Don Pyke says Jenkins appears to have avoided tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, which would have ended his season.
“They (medicos) are confident that it is in tact, which is real positive news for Josh,” Pyke said.
“We have got to get it scanned and find out what it looks like, it’s too early to tell.”
Adelaide also lost defenders Daniel Talia (thigh) and Jake Kelly (calf) while forward Lachlan Murphy had some teeth knocked out and didn’t play after quarter-time.
The injuries came as Crow Brad Crouch produced a midfield masterclass with a game-high 43 disposals.
Crouch recorded 11 clearances and six inside 50s while his brother Matt had 35 touches and defender Rory Laird gathered 32 disposals.
The Tigers, with 17 players unavailable due to injury or illness, were superbly served by acting captain Dustin Martin (32 disposals, two goals).
Richmond stalwarts Bachar Houli (23 touches) and Dion Prestia (29 disposals) were prominent while Tom Lynch and Daniel Rioli booted two goals each.
Richmond defied their spate of injuries to be just six points down early in the final term.
But the visitors ultimately paid the price for separate slumbers when they conceded five unanswered goals in both the third and final quarters.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick lamented Adelaide’s control at the clearances – Crows had 48 to Richmond’s 24.
“When you get done by 24 clearance-wise, it’s always going to hurt, especially putting a younger defence under pressure,” Hardwick said.
The Tigers slipped to a third consecutive loss despite a bright start which defied their undermanned status – they led by 11 points at halftime.
The Crows then went on a third-term scoring spree, booting seven goals to three – including five in a row.
Adelaide turned into the final term with a 13-point break but their lead shrunk to six points when Tiger Josh Caddy goaled.
The Crows rallied with another stretch of five unanswered goals – the last coming from yet another freakish Eddie Betts snap from the boundary line before Jenkins’ last-minute mishap.
Peter Warrington
Guest
I think it's after "rd 17" so everyone has played 16...?
Peter Warrington
Guest
lucky? winning all those games will be luck? Port are home to the Cats, after a bye; the Dogs; and the Crows. taht's how. csan't tell you re the crows. seems a glitch but blame the afl and cut and paste,not me (as if it is going to be right, anyway. Giants already sent it off the rails.)
Rex
Guest
Your Warrington ladder is wrong - how do port win every game between now and rnd 16 and the crows also get another 4 points in that time - when they have a bye, play cats and port??? Tigers will be lucky to make the 8
Peter Warrington
Guest
Hardwick is right about the clearances. we seemed to be zoning off rather than shutting down. Graham ended up doing neither, and lacks the leg speed for the 6-6-6. all up i was heartened by the effort of Richmond. mostly. some players were dire and some of the leaders drifted out of the game when we couldn't afford that. a few posters and a Prestia miss, Ellis' awful brain explosion just after halftime. the things a young team, turns up or down on. to me it was almost a repeat of the Giants game. we came away from that with a bit of verve, despite the media/social media misread on the proceedings. you will know about Richmond in the 4 weeks after the bye. we may hit the comp fast and hard, and fit and fresh. Edwards Cotchin Astbury Lambert all starting and posssibly Jack a week or two after that. Lynch looked better and will be better after the bye. Naish and Chol doing well. The Warrington ladder predictor looks like this after rd 16...: GEEL 52 136.2 13 3 0 WCE 48 112.8 12 4 0 PORT 40 118.0 10 6 0 RICH 40 100.9 10 6 0 GWS 36 117.8 9 7 0 COLL 36 110.8 9 7 0 ADEL 36 109.9 9 7 0 FRE 32 104.0 8 8 0 ESS 32 102.9 8 7 0 NMFC 32 102.2 8 7 0 BL 32 96.5 8 8 0 WB 32 94.9 8 8 0 Lots to play for...
Peter Warrington
Guest
rubbish. they talked on and on about the Crouches. Sloane. the new ruck. Tex Sportin'.
Nick
Guest
This write up is all about the gallant in defeat tigers. Yes they have injuries however on the night they had more healthy players than Adelaide. Lynch had a bright patch once Talia left the ground. Without that the margin would have been greater. Also it's so hard to listen to the free to air broadcast when the only player who appeared to be in the ground was Martin. Had to mute the sound.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
What a season for Jenkins. Demoted. Restored. Kicks a few. Then his knee goes east.