Tex back in town as Crows down Gold Coast by 32
Adelaide forward Taylor Walker kicked five game-breaking goals as the Crows eclipsed Gold Coast by 32 points on Sunday.
The Crows prevailed 16.13 (109) to 11.11 (77) at Adelaide Oval to inflict the Suns’ third defeat of the AFL season.
Walker’s goal-scoring was pivotal and his teammates Eddie Betts and Josh Jenkins both scored two majors.
Adelaide defenders Brodie Smith (30 disposals) and Matthew Jeansch (29 possessions) were influential, and midfielders Scott Thompson and Patrick Dangerfield prominent, as the Crows squared their win-loss ledger at five-all.
The Suns were brilliantly served by onballers David Swallow (37 touches, two goals) and Dion Prestia (29 disposals) while Charlie Dixon and Gary Ablett kicked two goals each.
Ablett gathered 25 possessions but lacked his customary impact in a fixture which followed an identical theme for the initial three quarters – the Crows skipped clear early, only for the Suns to reel them in.
In the opening term, Adelaide kicked four of the first five goals but the Suns then scored four of the next five as Adelaide took a 5.2 to 5.1 quarter-time lead before a 49,069-strong crowd.
The home side then booted the initial three goals of the second stanza to create a 19-point break before another Gold Coast fightback.
The Suns snuck within seven points at halftime before Adelaide’s Walker produced a third-term cameo, kicking the initial two goals of the quarter.
And when his teammate Jenkins booted a 65-metre goal on the run, the Crows were 20 points clear.
The plucky Suns again struck back with two late goals and were nine points adrift at three quarter-time.
But Walker, in his third game back after a year sidelined by a knee reconstruction, again popped up for the Crows, booting the opening goal of the last term to give his side breathing space.
Majors to Adelaide’s David McKay and Betts before Walker added a fifth as the Suns were kept goal-less in the last term.
But Adelaide’s win which could come at a cost with ruckman Sam Jacobs substituted with a suspected groin injury.
