Adelaide has secured their second win of the 2023 season, taking down Fremantle by 39 points at Adelaide Oval.
The Crows came out of the gates firing, taking the lead within the first three minutes and never giving it back.
While the Dockers’ attack was solid in the opening term, putting three goals on the scoreboard, Adelaide was simply on a different level, booting six of their own to take early control.
The sidestep and the checkside from Milera 🙌#AFLCrowsFreo pic.twitter.com/jLPrO2VAJJ
— AFL (@AFL) April 8, 2023
The Crows followed this up with another four goals in the second quarter, taking a 36-point lead into the main break as Fremantle mustered just one major.
The third quarter was something of a stalemate between the two sides, as Adelaide continued their frenetic approach yet couldn’t make the most of opportunities, kicking 1.4 for the quarter, while Fremantle’s attack continued to be limited by the Crows’ pressure.
Josh Rachele 🤝 @Tim_Cahill #AFLCrowsFreo pic.twitter.com/GeqC9YuTxF
— AFL (@AFL) April 8, 2023
The Dockers showed some life in the final term however, making use of some riskier movement through the corridor to attack more efficiently than they had all day.
Fremantle clawed the margin back to 25-points, yet it was simply too late for a dramatic comeback as the Crows were able to fire back and secure victory.
It was a complete team effort for Adelaide, with eight players reaching the 20-disposal mark, illustrating how much of the footy they had.
It was a similar story for the Crows’ big name forward line, with Taylor Walker, Izak Rankine, Josh Rachele and Lachlan Gollant all hitting the scoreboard multiple times, as well as Jake Soligo bursting through to kick two of his own.
For the Dockers, it was a performance that exemplified the problems they had been dealing with all year.
Fremantle struggled to move the ball when faced by pressure, resulting in their defenders having to manage a constant barrage of opposing inside-50s.
While the Dockers still have plenty of the season left to turn things around, alarm bells are certainly ringing at the club, with next week’s clash against the Suns looking like a must-win.
Meanwhile Adelaide is looking to take this momentum into one of the biggest stages they’ll see in the home and away season, facing the undefeated Carlton in the opening match of Gather Round.
FULL SCORE
Adelaide: 6.1, 10.4, 11.8, 17.9 (111)
Fremantle: 3.2, 4.4, 6.6, 10.12 (72)
GOALS
Adelaide: T. Walker 4, I. Rankine 3, J. Rachele 3, L. Gollant 2, J. Soligo 2, J. Dawson, W. Milera, R. Thilthorpe
Fremantle: B. Banfield 2, L. Schultz 2, M. Tabermer 2, J. Amiss, L. Jackson, L. Henry, E. Hughes
BEST
Adelaide: J. Dawson, I. Rankine, R. Laird, T. Walker, B. Smith
Fremantle: C. Serong, L. Ryan, A. Brayshaw, B. Banfield
INJURIES
Adelaide: N/A
Fremantle: N/A