Crows bounce back to form

Adelaide 18.16 (124) def. Carlton   9. 6 (60)

After last week’s shock loss to Richmond, the premiership favourites have bounced back in the best possible way by pummeling Carlton by 64 points at AAMI Stadium today.

In front of 41,157 people, Adelaide got the jump early by kicking the first five goals before Carlton even moved it into their attacking 50-metre arc.

The famous Adelaide engine room was where the game was won today. Andrew McLeod and Simon Goodwin did as they pleased all day collecting 34 and 32 possessions each, whilst Nathan Bassett swept all up as a loose man in the back line with 11 marks.

Carlton had too few winners on the day, Matthew Lappin was easily their best. Lappin was the catalyst to Carlton’s second quarter comeback, booting three goals. Number 1 pick Marc Murphy continued his steady improvement also as he racked up 23 touches himself.

Despite not being able to break down Richmond last week, the Crows snuffed any thought that Carlton could do the same to them this week in the first 11 minutes of this encounter. When Scott Stevens goaled, the score was 32-0, and when facing a team that only managed four goals the week before, the Crows could be forgiven for becoming complacent.

Adelaide managed a 40-point lead at the quarter time break, but took the foot off the pedal after Brett Burton stretched the lead to 45 points halfway through the second quarter. Lance Whitnall, Brendan Fevola, Lappin, and Anthony Koutoufides scored four goals in a row to bring the margin back to 21 points before the ever-reliable Mark Ricciuto answered with his second of the quarter.

However, Carlton had all the running as Lappin booted his third after the half time siren, and were well within reach of the Crows at half time as they ran in only 21 points behind.

Adelaide, however, hit back hard, like many expected them to do so, booting six goals to one in a strong showing in the third quarter. Whilst the Blues had just as much ball as their opponents, they did not have the same efficiency as Adelaide when entering 50.

The last quarter was an anti-climax with the result already beyond doubt, the Crows eventually winning it by two goals to one as they got themselves back on the winners list.

Next week gives Adelaide another chance of cementing their spot in the top four of the ladder as they host 16th placed Essendon on the Friday night at AAMI Stadium whilst Carlton, face another cellar dweller as Port Adelaide visit Telstra Dome on the Sunday afternoon.

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