Great slams Crows for putting Tex at ‘serious risk’

Taylor Walker had his work cut out for him after being thrown into the ruck by the Crows. Picture: Sarah Reed

The 7-issue defeat — right after Croweater Jordan Murdoch kicked two late aims for the Suns — left the Crows winless in two Marsh Local community Collection matches.

The reduction adopted a 33-issue defeat to Melbourne in round one at Casey Fields and left Nicks, worryingly, even now browsing for his best 22.

Adelaide, which fought again from a 23-issue second quarter deficit to lead in the closing expression at Noarlunga Oval, was smashed in within 50s 66-forty five and contested possessions 165-131.

Those people stats would concern Nicks, two weeks out from the club’s premiership period opener from Sydney at Adelaide Oval.

With veteran massive guys Sam Jacobs (GWS) and Josh Jenkins (Geelong) traded in the off-period and children Elliott Himmelberg and Billy Frampton (recruited from Port Adelaide) left out of the facet, the Crows risked the welfare of their top goal-kicker Walker by possessing him pinch-hit for No. one massive man Reilly O’Brien.

The transfer irked Adelaide’s twin premiership captain Mark Bickley, who questioned why the club would hazard damage to one of its most useful property.

“Walker’s currently being put at critical hazard there,’’ Bickley explained.

“He’s only acquired to cop a horrible knee to the ribs or throat and he’d be in massive difficulties.’’

Walker, 194cm, at one phase rucked at a centre bounce from large Solar Zac Smith, 206cm, supplying absent a whopping 12cm peak advantage. He also went head-to-head at ruck contests from Gold Coastline again-up ruckmen Peter Wright and Sam Working day.

The Crows have received all thirteen premiership matches they have played from the Suns but they were being badly beaten in the contest in their last pre-period hit out and struggled with their relationship heading into attack.

Adelaide, which disclosed ahead of the activity that pressure ahead Riley Knight would pass up four-to-6 weeks right after going through Achilles operation, were being close to entire energy with only 2018 AFL Increasing Star runner-up Tom Doedee (knee) absent from what assignments as its best 22.

In distinction, the Suns experienced a handful of regulars missing.

Amazing BRODIE

Freed of defensive tasks, tenth-yr swingman Brodie Smith was wonderful on a wing from Gold Coastline.

Right after spending most of his occupation as a rebounding halfback, Smith was efficiently moved on ball halfway by last period.

He played on a wing from the Suns and was scintillating with a activity large 34 disposals and a goal.

When the extensive-kicking Smith experienced the ball, good issues happened for the Crows as he was able to pinpoint teammates at length.

It is a role he almost sure to keep on in this yr as Nicks appears for some much more midfield speed and playmaking capacity.

THE FISCHER KING

Adelaide’s prime draft pick from last yr appears the products.

Victorian tall Fischer McAsey – taken at No. 6 overall – experienced his to start with taste of massive time football from the Suns and did not seem out of location.

Beginning at centre fifty percent-again and partnering twin All-Australian Daniel Talia in a crucial defensive write-up, the eighteen-yr-aged seemed composed underneath pressure and used the ball effectively.

He was sturdy in the contest, specially with his spoiling, and even ran ahead to kick a goal right after a 50m penalty.

McAsey, who has savored a standout pre-period and added some muscle to his 196cm body, finished with 12 disposals and a few marks and appears a sturdy possibility to play in round one.

HUGH’S HOMECOMING

Former Crow Hugh Greenwood savored a sound if unspectacular homecoming from his ex club.

Traded to the Suns for a 3rd and fourth round draft pick at the finish of last period, Greenwood celebrated his 28th birthday with a ordinarily sturdy effectiveness in his to start with activity from his previous teammates.

The sturdy-bodied midfielder, a previous NBL and Australian basketballer who played 51 online games and kicked 36 aims for Adelaide from 2017-19 ahead of currently being presented a lengthier deal by Gold Coastline, experienced sixteen disposals opposed to previous onball teammates Rory Sloane, Brad Crouch and co.

Greenwood features the best contested possession share by a participant in the AFL given that 1999, with 66.seven per cent of his touches received underneath pressure.

Increasing SUNS

It has been a extensive street to respectability for the Suns but they could at last be on the increase.

Final year’s prime two draft picks, midfielders Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson, seem the actual deal.

AFL Increasing Star favourite Rowell showed some great signals early from the Crows right after a sturdy to start with-up exhibiting from Geelong and Anderson, who experienced restricted activity time from Adelaide, also oozes class.

The Suns prime draft pick in 2018, Woodville-West Torrens tall Jack Lukosius (No. 2 overall), played 21 online games in his debut period and is more substantial and much better this yr.

Taking part in down again, he shone from Adelaide with seventeen disposals and ten marks and seems set for a massive yr.

Fellow Croweater Izak Rankine, taken the pick right after Lukosius, missed yesterday’s match with a shoulder damage but really should be in shape for round one, illustrating the Suns’ myriad of youthful talent.

AFL: It was only a follow match, but Gold Coastline and Adelaide were being participating in at entire throttle, including some massive hits from monstrous Crows ahead Darcy Fogarty.

SCOREBOARD

GOLD Coastline 4.five five.ten seven.thirteen 9.seventeen (seventy one)

d

ADELAIDE 2.2 4.6 eight.6 9.ten (sixty four)

Plans

Suns: A Sexton 2 J Murdoch 2 B Ainsworth D MacPherson D Swallow S Working day T Miller

Crows: B Crocker B Crouch B Davis B Smith D Fogarty F McAsey L Murphy P Seedsman T Walker

ANDREW CAPEL’S Very best

Suns: Swallow, MacPherson, Brodie, Smith, Lukosius, Ellis, Weller

Crows: Smith, Seedsman, Laird, B. Crouch, M. Crouch, Atkins.

Accidents

Suns: Sexton (hamstring)

Crows: Lynch (nose), Talia (again).

Umpires: Ray Chamberlain, Leigh Haussen, Curtis Deboy, Eleni Glouftsis

Crowd: 2631

Venue: Noarlunga Oval