Veteran spearhead Taylor Walker has impressed Adelaide to an important 47-point thumping of crosstown rivals Port Adelaide for a wholesome enhance to their finals hopes.
Walker inked a brand new deal earlier this week to play on subsequent 12 months however ensured the Crows nonetheless have a lot to play for this season with seven objectives within the 16.16 (112) to 9.11 (65) victory over the Power at Adelaide Oval.
The key ahead claimed his first Showdown Medal in his twenty second conflict with the Power whereas additionally matching the report for essentially the most objectives of their conferences on Saturday night time.
Midfielder Matt Crouch (32 disposals, 12 clearances) additionally turned again the clock in his third match of the AFL season, whereas Crows skipper Jordan Dawson (34) and Rory Laird (26) had been very good all through.
The Crows’ (9-10) stirring triumph retains them inside touching distance of the highest eight after a mid-season hunch, whereas handing the Power their third consecutive loss.
The end result additionally squares the ledger between the heated rivals at 27 wins every from 54 Showdowns.
But the Crows will probably be sweating on the health of Jordon Butts after the important thing defender was subbed out with a foot concern in one other blow to their injury-hit backline.
Port (14-5) had a chance to strengthen their maintain on a top-two spot following the Brisbane Lions’ loss to Gold Coast earlier within the day however appeared off the tempo from the early exchanges.
Small ahead Francis Evans booted 4 objectives for the Power they usually led the within 50s 65-56, however Ken Hinkley’s outfit lacked the firepower or polish to make the undermanned Crows defence pay.
Port Adelaide appeared set to lose Aliir Aliir early within the second time period when their defensive linchpin ran again with the flight of the ball and collided closely with teammate Lachie Jones.
Aliir and Jones each needed to be helped from the sphere however the important thing defender returned shortly after whereas the dashing halfback was subbed out at halftime with a migraine.
The sickening collision did little to disrupt the Crows’ dominance as they took a 29-point lead into the primary break then held the Power at arm’s size by the second half for a second Showdown win of the season.
Adelaide hosts one other crunch conflict in opposition to Gold Coast subsequent Saturday, whereas Port Adelaide will probably be on the street to face Geelong later the identical day.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
