Crows cash in on Tiger fade-out ASHLEY PORTER, ADELAIDE
May 10, 2010 AFTER a week of calls for Adelaide's "old-timers" to be pensioned off, 33-year-old Simon Goodwin led his side to a dramatic last-quarter revival to beat Richmond by 50 points at AAMI Stadium.
His performance, and the Crows' eight-goals to nothing finish, said a lot about their character that had not been tested more in their 20 seasons in the AFL, leaving Richmond bottom and in a sad plight.
Three cheers for the Crows for remembering their club song, but as much as their finish was praiseworthy, a wise old man once said that no one remembers how a game was won or lost, just who won.
In this case, it is important to note that for three quarters Richmond looked as if it was actually moving forward in its rebuilding phase, and Adelaide was still its pitiful self like it had been this season.
But after levelling the scores minutes into the last quarter, it was like Richmond waved a proverbial white flag. It had worked so hard, when out of the blue a Richard Douglas tackle on the outer wing led to an easy Adelaide goal and suddenly the whole game swung. And it kept swinging; "We're the pride of South Australia", they sang.
But Adelaide's ills are far from over. Better signs, but not over. For most part the Crows were terrible; indecisive, still handballing far too much in the stoppages, and not attacking with enough penetrating kicks.
Other ageing stars, Andrew McLeod, who was terrific, Tyson Edwards, who was solid, and Brett Burton, who was again disappointing, just can't kick 50 metres like they used to, and it does lessen the attack's potency.
The great news is that Adelaide's barn-storming finish may have revitalised the passion; that free-flowing game that has been sorely missing during its disastrous 0-6 start largely contributed to a long injury list.
Whether the lift in attitude is maintained, starting with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday remains to be seen, but it is a start.
Kurt Tippett seemed frustrated early, but finished with four goals, and Jason Porplyzia also worked his way into better form.
A big turnaround in the game was Adelaide's contested ball. At half-time Richmond had 20 more contested possessions and 23 more disposals, but at the end of the game the Tigers had only eight more contested possessions and 39 fewer disposals.
But what of Richmond? Again, the record books will show 0-7 and another heavy loss, but as much as its fans will be agonising over this battle of the cellar-dwellers, there was a lot to like about the Tigers for three quarters.
For so long the Tigers looked dangerous, especially with Brett Deledio, Trent Cotchin and Shane Tuck playing superbly in defence. And if spirit was needed, it came with some fleeting moments of brilliance from Mr Courageous, Graham Polak, in his first AFL game for the season.
But, of course, all those quality moments in a game that you wouldn't write home about even on Mother's Day, like that 60-metre kick from the back line by Dustin Martin that led to Richmond's last score, all dispersed with the dramatic fade-out.
Not an unfamiliar story this season, but to stifle Adelaide for so long, especially when a disappointing crowd of 31,196 were wanting blood,was an encouraging sign for Richmond.
PLAYER WATCHBrett Burton (Adelaide): The Crows' most senior players were under media pressure during the week, perhaps none more than Brett Burton who had a "shocker" against Port Adelaide. He struggled again yesterday, obviously lacking confidence. His kicks weren't penetrating and he was unable to take good marks.
Brett Deledio (Richmond): Deledio played nearly all of the game in defence, and for most part did an excellent job, finishing with 24 disposals. He held the defence together for three quarters, but ultimately his earlier quality play was brushed aside when the Crows stormed home.
WHERE THE MATCH WAS WONFor three quarters Adelaide seemed to play without any belief. It was always within a kick, but never really in control. Ultimately, it was rewarded for hard work in the last quarter when a few goals on the run turned the Crows into the mindset of old. It wasn't a great win, but a sign they are far from being the worst side in the league.
WHERE THE MATCH WAS LOSTSounds so simple, but Richmond seemed to wave the white flag in the last quarter. After working so hard for three quarters, the Tigers couldn't sustain the effort. They allowed Adelaide's out-of-form players to gain confidence when it counted most.
BESTAdelaide: Goodwin, Johncock, van Berlo, Thompson, McLeod, Douglas.
Richmond: Deledio, Martin, Tuck, Cotchin, Edwards, Moore.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/crows-cash-in-on-tiger-fadeout-20100509-ult6.html
