Adelaide returned to the winners\u2019 list with a comprehensive 72-point win against Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Key forward Riley Thilthorpe led the way with five majors, while midfielder Izak Rankine was a standout with 23 disposals, seven marks, 11 score involvements and three goals.<\/p>\n
The win had many memorable moments, including first AFL goals goals to debutants Osacr Ryan and Archie Ludowyke, while Hugo Hall-Kahan also booted his first AFL major.<\/p>\n
Senior Coach Matthew Nicks delivered these takeaways post-win.<\/p>\n
A complete team performance<\/p>\n
Essendon flew out of the blocks, booting the first two goals of the match, before back-to-back goals from Crows key forward Riley Thilthorpe levelled the scores.<\/p>\n
From there, Adelaide kicked the next five goals of the first quarter, before taking a 33-point lead into half-time and never looked back.<\/p>\n
Nicks labelled the result \u201ca pretty solid team performance\u201d, but said the focus would quickly switch to next weekend\u2019s game against Richmond.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe probably started a little slow again, it’s two quick goals against, but we scouted that coming in, that they were a real pressure team and we probably over-handballed early in our D50, made a couple of mistakes,\u201d Nicks said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut to sort of get ourselves back and then win each quarter from there, (it was a) really, really strong performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s one of those things that we lock in on Richmond, so we go straight to reviewing this game, we’ve already done that in the rooms.<\/p>\n
\u201cRichmond got the chocolates this morning, so we’ll go up against the team coming in pretty confident.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nicks on his reaction to debutant\u2019s goal<\/p>\n
Young Crow Oscar Ryan was selected to make his AFL debut against the Bombers.<\/p>\n
And he never looked out of place, finishing the game with 19 disposals at 89.5 per cent efficiency, eight score involvements and three tackles.<\/p>\n
He capped his debut with a goal in the third quarter, kicked on the run after cutting between four Essendon players.<\/p>\n
Nicks was caught on the broadcast cheering after Ryan\u2019s kick sailed through and the Senior Coach said it was nice to see the reward for effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they caught me in the box having a bit of fun with that, it’s great to see,\u201d Nicks said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt (the goal) came off a really great team goal when you play your method and a young player gets rewarded off the back of it, it was a great finish.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s hard not to show your excitement. I thought he played really well. It\u2019s not surprising because he’s had a really strong month, and he’s got a game that you’d think would suit this level.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got some wheels on him, and\u00a0 it’s great to see him play some good footy at the level and get the opportunity, and also, finish one off in front of goals.\u201d<\/p>\n
An update on defender James Borlase<\/p>\n
Backman James Borlase did not take part in the second half of the game due to hamstring awareness.<\/p>\n
Nicks said Borlase was taken off due to precaution and it was hoped he would be fit for next week.<\/p>\n
\u201cJames is okay, James was really a management decision,\u201d Nicks said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe began tightening up a little, he hadn’t come off in the first half, that’s one of his weapons, that he’s able to stay out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we made a decision at half-time that it wasn’t worth the risk, pushing him back out there, and it was a big call because it meant Max Michalanney had to play tall, and that was a really tough stretch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFor Borlase, we’re confident he’ll be okay. If anything, he’s probably a little frustrated, he wanted to be out there, but it\u2019s just not a risk worth taking.\u201d<\/p>\n
Callum Ah Chee\u2019s return\u00a0<\/p>\n
Recruit Callum Ah Chee returned to the Crows\u2019 AFL team after missing the past seven matches with a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n
Ah Chee provided plenty of dash in attack for Adelaide, finishing with 15 disposals, and five marks, while also hitting the scoreboard with two goals.<\/p>\n
Nicks was pleased with Ah Chee\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe had a great impact on the game,\u201d Nicks said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis experience and his contest, some of the stuff in the air, and once that ball hits the ground, he just adds to our group more than you’ll see on a TV screen.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was great having him back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe managed him slightly towards the end, not because he was struggling at all, just if you don’t need to (play him), and other guys got an opportunity to step up.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Archie) Ludowyke, Oscar Ryan, these guys could play a few more minutes than maybe we’d anticipated, but that was a bonus of the position we were in, so hopefully he pulls up well and he’s ready to go next week.\u201d<\/p>\n
Top-four chance beckons<\/p>\n
Adelaide\u2019s win against Essendon catapulted the team into fourth spot on the ladder.<\/p>\n
And with three minor rounds remaining, an opportunity to lock away a top-four spot and a double chance is an opportunity Nicks and his chargers are refusing to shy away from.<\/p>\n
\u201cDestiny’s in our hands\u2026 In a way, we\u2019ve earned the position that we are in, we\u2019ve now got three weeks to nail that, starting next weekend,\u201d Nicks said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s something that we acknowledge, we looked at results yesterday, and we don’t shy away from the fact that you know that opportunity is now there.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo when you talk about that, it’s okay, \u2018what’s our job? What’s the job at hand?\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got some tough games coming up, so we just lock in then on what’s the next challenge. What’s really important, the way that I guess the season starts to shape up for all the teams, we\u2019ve just got to continue to win now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rankine\u2019s starring role\u00a0<\/p>\n
Midfielder Izak Rankine played an important role for the Crows in their victory against the Bombers.<\/p>\n
The livewire finished with 23 disposals, seven marks, five tackles, 11 score involvements, four clearances, 584 metres gained, and three goals.<\/p>\n
Nicks said Rankine\u2019s work ethic had been the catalyst behind his strong form this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought it (his performance) was really solid, I thought he rounded it out well,\u201d Nicks said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got our game going a bit more in the second half, and we were able to give him opportunities with the ball in hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut he’s just got a great balance at the moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe stuff he’s doing in the contests, and then where he’s positioning himself around the ground, it\u2019s a real positive for us\u201d<\/p>\n
The Crows\u2019 attention now turns to their Round 22 clash against Richmond at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.<\/p>\n