Back on Top: Woodville-West Torrens Destroy Adelaide in Dominant Display
After a first quarter to forget, Woodville-West Torrens were able to put last week’s shock loss behind them to record a 53-point win against the lowly Adelaide Crows in the SANFL on Saturday. The Eagles were able to kick 14 goals to three after the first break to set up the victory, including five in the second term.
Adam D’Aloia (29 disposals, seven tackles and 11 clearances) was instrumental in the game. D’Aloia was helped by Joseph Sinor (28 disposals, nine I50s and two R50s) and Riley Knight (27 disposals, 13 tackles and five clearances).
For Adelaide, Reilly O’Brien (21 disposals, 35 hit-outs and five clearances) can hold his head high in defeat as he states his claim for an AFL recall. Karl Gallagher (two goals, nine disposals, one clearance) was good in attack but was well held by the Eagles defence.
In the first, the Crows stretched their wings with goals to Burgess, Gollant, McHenry and Taylor to gain a 4.0.24 to 1.3.9 lead at Quarter Time. Zac Buck’s goal on the 50 second mark was the only bit of resistance offered.
Jack Wheare was first to hit the scoresheet in the second term, which cut the margin to nine points.
Patrick Weckert’s first cut the margin to two points, as the Eagles’ trademark speed on the footy returned.
It was that speed that saw Weckert given his opportunity for a second goal, which he gratefully accepted, converting the set shot. The Eagles led 4.4.28 to 4.0.24, five minutes into the second term.
Despite all of Woodville’s ascendancy in the second term, Gallagher’s goal was able to give Adelaide a 4.5.29 to 5.0.30 lead at the 15 minute mark after a tight 10 minutes.
Adelaide’s lead would last all of three minutes. After a behind from Will Pearce levelled the score; it was mistake from the kick in from Adelaide that gave Woodville-West Torrens back control.
The ball was smothered by Ballenden who got the ball to D’Aloia. He was able to handball over the top for the running Zac Buck, who goaled to give Woodville the upper hand. The scoreboard read 5.6.36 to 5.0.30.
Jack Wheare is quickly establishing himself at SANFL level. In just his second game, he snapped from the boundary line, getting pushed as he kicked. The pressure mattered not and the 21-year-old made it look easy.
At Half Time, the Eagles had re-established control of the contest, 6.7.43 to 5.0.30. In a five goal to one quarter, Woodville-West Torrens had overturned a 15 point Quarter Time deficient into a 13 point half time lead.
In the third, it was a case of picking up where they left off. The Eagles’ charge was led by Max Beattie. He hit Buck for the first of the third, and then snapped true to get the second.
McKay would snap another for the Eagles, who made it 9.9.63 to 5.0.30 to began the premiership quarter with three goals in seven minutes.
The Crows had repeat inside 50s over the next 15 minutes, before the emotion boiled over and a melee broke out in the Eastern wing of the Adelaide Oval.
In the 24th minute, the Crows were finally able to fire a shot, Boyle’s goal their first in over two quarters of footy. Adelaide had a faint chance. However, inaccuracy was a massive part of third quarter for the Crows. 1.5 in the term meant the Eagles still held a 24-point lead.
As Three Quarter Time approached, the Eagles were able to release quickly from the back. Wheare finished the off the good work, and as he ran into the open goal, the Adelaide resistance was broke. A 10.11.71 to 6.5.41 margin at Three Quarter Time.
Adelaide were able to control the first few minutes of the last. Gallagher converted for the Crows and a faint hope returned.
Just one minute later Max Beattie would re-establish the five goal buffer from a crumbing goal. Capatilising on free flowing end-to-end football, Zane Williams killed off any hope that remained. The Eagles' 12th goal saw a 12.11.83 to 7.7.49 scoreboard.
Ballenden and Nicholls added on more pain with a major each, as the Eagles demolition continued.
McKay again goaled as Morris was unselfish to give the footy off. The two working in tandem to finish off an attack that again started at half back.
The final siren saw Woodville-West Torrens record a 15.12.102 to 7.7.49 win. The Crows were condemned to a fifth loss in a row. The Eagles, meanwhile, returned back to the winner’s list, as Sam Jacobs’ freshman year continued in fine fashion.
Woodville-West Torrens: 1.3 6.7 10.11 15.12.102
Adelaide Crows: 4.0 5.0 6.5 7.7.49
Goalkickers:
Woodville-West Torrens:
Z. Buck, (3), J. Wheare, (3), M. Beattie, (2), L. McKay, (2), P. Weckert, (2), C. Ballenden, S. Nicholls, Z. Williams
Adelaide Crows:
K. Gallagher, (2), J. Boyle, C. Burgess, L. Gollant, N. McHenry, Z. Taylor
Best:
Woodville-West Torrens:
C. Ballenden, Z. Buck, A. D’Aloia, R. Knight, J. Sinor
Adelaide Crows:
J. Boyle, R. O’Brien, L. Pedler, O. Ryan, Z. Taylor
Injuries:
Midway through the first quarter, one of the Crows best in Brodie Smith was taken off the field. It was confirmed post game he sustained a knee knock. However, Adelaide confirmed post game that it was a precautionary decision with the club “not wanting to risk it.”
Woodville-West Torrens have a bye next week, before a road trip to Prospect to face North Adelaide on Saturday the 29th of June. Adelaide will join Woodville-West Torrens next week on the sidelines, before taking on last year’s premiers Glenelg at the bay on the same day.