Crows stun Swans with 16-point victory at the SCG
Joanna Guelas
Adelaide devastated Sydney with a 16-point win in rainy conditions at the SCG.
With the score level at 10.8 (68) in the fourth quarter, helpless Luke Nankervis put the Crows ahead en route to a 13.9 (87) to 10.11 (71) win on Friday night.
Adelaide sealed their premiership credentials while dealing a blow to fellow flag enthusiasts in Sydney by condemning the second-placed Swans (13-5) to their first defeat at the SCG this season.
The Crows (12-6), last year’s minor premiers, can finish as high as third after winning their third straight.
Darcy Fogarty scored four goals for Adelaide, but the star forward is sure to attract attention after his towering tackle on Harry Cunningham in the second quarter left his Swans opponent concussed.
Izak Rankine played a crucial role in the Adelaide engine room with one goal, 30 disposals and eight clearances.
He was well supported by James Peatling, while Mark Keane and Nankervis stood firm in defence.
Sydney have lost their last three games against top six teams following dismal defeats against Brisbane and Fremantle.
They remain in second place (13-5) with a four-point lead over Adelaide.
Isaac Heeney recovered from a back problem to lead the home team with 29 turnovers and four shots on goal.
The midfield superstar struck fear in the Swans camp in the third quarter, suffering the injury after tackling the ball with Crows forward Riley Thilthorpe.
Tom Papley also kicked four goals in his second game back from a calf injury, while Braeden Campbell kicked a thumping kick in his first AFL game of the year after suffering a stress fracture in his shin in pre-season.
Sydney started brightly with the first two goals, but it was all Adelaide in the opening period.
With 32 uncontested points to Sydney’s seven, the Crows punished the home side by scoring five unanswered goals from turnover and taking a 21-point lead at quarter-time.
Swans superstar Chad Warner scored a superb goal by getting on the back of Nankervis, but the Adelaide defender gave up possession with a shoddy kick to Keane.
Warner made corrections by hitting the scoreboard after the break, livestream Papley scored back-to-back goals to help Sydney extend Adelaide’s game-high 27-point lead.
With an eight-point lead at half-time, midfielder James Rowbottom emulated Papley with two goals to give Sydney a six-point lead at the final break.
But it was Fogarty’s turn to score a double to start the final quarter, resulting in a tense finish at the SCG.
AAP
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