ADELAIDE veteran Eddie Betts has slotted four goals in a 17-point win against Port Adelaide in an AFL pre-season game.
Betts and his teammates, Rory Laird and brothers Brad and Matt Crouch, were prominent in the Crows’ 16.10 (106) to 14.5 (89) victory on Saturday at Port Pirie.
Port’s loss was compounded by ruckman Paddy Ryder rolling his right ankle and limping from the field with minutes remaining.
Adelaide’s Rory Sloane, appointed co-captain this year with Taylor Walker, collected 28 disposals, Matt Crouch had 32 touches and sibling Brad, who missed all of last season because of groin problems, collected 29 possessions.
Laird (28 possessions) was superb in defence and forwards Tom Lynch, Darcy Fogarty and Riley Knight each booted two goals.
Port kicked four of the initial five goals but then a slick Adelaide outfit seized control in 40-degree conditions.
The Crows led by 36 points midway through the last quarter, but the Power rallied with five unanswered goals to sneak within five points before Adelaide kicked the last two goals of the game.
The Power’s reigning club champion Justin Westhoff, Steven Motlop, Brad Ebert and their top pick at last year’s draft, Connor Rozee, kicked two goals each.
Another of Port’s highly rated draftees, Zak Butters, was a standout with 25 disposals and fellow newcomer Xavier Duursma kicked a goal.
Defender Dan Houston gained 21 disposals and Travis Boak, who has stood down as captain this year, was busy with 27 touches.
Port’s new signing Scott Lycett, who arrived after winning last year’s premiership with West Coast, had the 24 hit-outs – the most of any player – while former Hawthorn halfback Ryan Burton collected 17 disposals.
© AAP 2019
ADELAIDE 4.1 10.7 13.9 16.10 (106)
PORT ADELAIDE 5.1 7.3 9.4 14.5 (89)
Goals: Adelaide: E Betts 4 D Fogarty 2 R Knight 2 T Lynch 2 B Crouch C Jones P Seedsman R Atkins T Walker W Milera. Port Adelaide: B Ebert 2 C Rozee 2 J Westhoff 2 S Motlop 2 K Amon P Ryder S Mayes T Boak W Drew X Duursma.
Best: Adelaide: M Crouch B Crouch R Laird E Betts R Sloane B Smith. Port Adelaide: T Boak Z Butters D Houston T Rockliff.
Injuries: Adelaide: Nil. Port Adelaide: P Ryder (ankle).
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: Andrew Mitchell, Craig Fleer, Leigh Fisher.
Venue: Memorial Oval.
