On a sunny day in Adelaide, as fans headed to Adelaide Oval, two teams seeking a win went into combat. The Crows were overrun by the Giants up North, while Richmond were left dissatisfied with a final-minute draw against the Blues. Which of these teams would find themselves on the winners’ list? Could the Crows run out the game or would the experience of the Tigers overwhelm them? Here are the key takeaways from the clash.
Lynch Factor
In surprising team news for this match, the Crows dropped their full-back, Jordan Butts. Richmond is a side with talented and dominant key forwards, so this decision is particularly confusing from the Crows match committee. Perhaps though, their consideration was that in his 11 previous clashes against the Crows, Tom Lynch has never left with a win. In the first quarter, Lynch and Riewoldt didn’t do too much, but it was second gamer Samson Ryan who made his presence felt. As the game went on, Lynch got more involved, but he didn’t have the impact many may have expected. He still finished with three goals and was serviceable.
A Tale of Two Halves
In the first half, it was the Tigers of old. They harassed, spread through forward handballs and great disposal choices, and took control through the contest. In true Tigers fashion, they scored 50 points to three from turnover in the first half and had the game set up perfectly.
However, the Crows responded significantly in the third quarter. They took the game on, got in the face of the Tigers players, and played the game on their terms. Unfortunately, for their dominance, wayward kicking prevented them from taking the lead and forcing the Tigers to chase the game in the final term. The Crows kicked 5.8 in the third, to the Tigers 1.1 and of those eight behinds, there were at least four very gettable shots, not to mention the missed options they had going forward.
In the final term, the Crows kept coming, but when the Tigers kicked two goals in quick succession, they broke their young challengers’ spirit and cruised to victory. There was a lot to like from the Crows who have shown that when they win the clearance and find dominance around the ball, they have the tools to challenge anyone.
At the Coal Face
It’s well-known that the Tigers sought out reinforcements for their midfield in the off-season. They’ve struggled around the ball in recent seasons and so made decisions to strengthen their midfield. The impact of these recruits was felt today. It’s widely established that the Crows are a young side – and that is most obvious through their midfield. In a contest between battle-hardened, experienced men, and inexperienced, still-developing boys, the coal face points went to the Tigers midfielders. When the game was there to be won in the first half, it was the midfielders leading the way for Richmond.
As previously noted, control around the ball through stoppages and contested possessions played a significant part in the ebbs and flows of this game. Whichever team had the control at the coal face typically had the control in field position and on the scoreboard.
Response Needed
I expected a physical, high-intensity start to this match, especially with how both teams fared in round one. Needless to say, I was somewhat disappointed by a fairly tame opening to the game. The Crows got the first goal in quick time, getting the crowd involved, and then from there, the game lacked intensity. Even when Nathan Broad knocked out Patrick Parnell with a sling tackle, there was nothing from the Crows.
With two teams having disappointing opening rounds, there wasn’t much fire early. The Tigers turned the screws through the first half and ground down the Crows, getting themselves a sizable lead. It took until the third quarter to get some intensity and passion from the Crows.
From the Viewing Gallery
The Noah Balta v Tex Walker battle was great to watch. The Crows stalwart kicked 2.2 and had 10 marks, and Balta had 10 marks – nine of which were intercept marks. Balta’s impact in the final quarter probably gives him the points.
In a weird occurrence, second gamer Samson Ryan entered the first goal from first kick club having registered 0 possessions in his first game. He finished with 3.0 from four kicks – the first three being majors.
Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper emphasised their value today. They competed hard and were catalysts in the Tigers’ ball movement and spread from stoppages all day. They had 51 disposals and 11 clearances between them.
I was super impressed with the impact of Jake Soligo. He finished with 19 touches and six tackles – unfortunately only two touches in the final term when the Crows needed continued impact. However, the way his gut running, intercept work, and pressure swung the game in the third was outstanding.
Rory Laird, after a quiet game last week, reminded everyone how good he is today. He built into the game through the first half, and exploded in the second half, dominating around stoppages and even getting back behind the ball to repel the Tigers.
Izak Rankine and Josh Rachele showed glimpses as to how exciting they are going to be for the next decade. When the Crows were running rampant, so were they. However, they ran out of legs and influence in the last quarter.
Toby Nankervis was again a monster for the opposition to deal with. Nank might have his moments of awkwardness/clumsiness, but he’s a seriously good footballer that adds so much to his team.
A compelling game of footy that emphasised the importance of accurate goal kicking and capitalising on momentum. The Tigers were more experienced and efficient when it mattered. They look forward to a tantalising matchup with the rampant Magpies on Friday night at the ‘G, while the Crows have a week to set themselves for the Showdown next Saturday night.
