ADELAIDE co-captain Taylor Walker has kicked four goals in a scrappy 22-point win over St Kilda which keeps the Crows in the AFL’s top eight.
Walker’s output and three goals from recalled Eddie Betts were instrumental in the Crows’ 14.8 (92) to 10.10 (70) victory on Saturday night at Adelaide Oval.
The Crows will retain eighth spot regardless of Sunday results.
But St Kilda’s season is all but dusted – they’re in 14th spot, two wins and a huge dose of percentage outside the eight with three games remaining.
The Saints’ interim coach Brett Ratten suffered his first loss in three matches in charge.
But his outfit was far from disgraced – they never led, but were just 11 points down 12 minutes into the final quarter.
Adelaide’s young forward Darcy Fogarty, in his first AFL game this season, then scored a monster 55m goal on the run and the home side kicked the last three majors of the game.
The Crows were superbly served by onballer Matt Crouch, who collected 35 disposals and kicked two goals.
Crouch’s teammates Rory Laird (38 disposals), Tom Lynch (22 touches, nine marks), Brad Crouch (29 disposals) and Brodie Smith (23 possessions) were influential while Bryce Gibbs returned from AFL exile to earn 29 disposals.
Saint Tim Membrey booted three goals while Jack Steele (26 disposals), Hunter Clark (26), Jack Billings (26), Seb Ross (25) and Luke Dunstan (24) were solid ball-winners.
Adelaide, with Betts scoring twice, held a five-point lead at quarter-time despite the Saints dominating clearances 14-4.
The Crows then skipped to an 18-point break 10 minutes into the second term after two quick goals from Walker.
But Adelaide only mustered a rushed behind for the rest of a quarter and were even booed by a restless 39,984-strong home crowd for frequently kicking backwards and sideways.
The Saints trailed by five points at the long break despite Adelaide having 51 more disposals for the half.
The third quarter started in identical scoring fashion to the second, with Adelaide’s Walker booting two quick majors to create an 18-point buffer.
Again, St Kilda responded with a pair of goals to sneak within five points – but Adelaide rallied with two late conversions to lead by 18 at the last change, an advantage the visitors couldn’t put a dent in.
© AAP 2019
ADELAIDE 4.1 6.4 10.7 14.8 (92)
ST KILDA 3.2 5.5 7.7 10.10 (70)
Goals: Adelaide: T Walker 4 E Betts 3 M Crouch 2 B Smith D Fogarty L Murphy R Douglas T Lynch. St Kilda: T Membrey 3 B Long J Bruce J Gresham J Lonie M Parker N Hind S Ross.
Umpires: Robert Findlay, Dean Margetts, Nick Brown.
Official Crowd: 39,984 at Adelaide Oval.
