Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson moved into the midfield with the game in the balance and proved the catalyst as the Crows defeated Richmond by 37 points at the MCG. The Crows held off a last-quarter challenge from the Tigers on Sunday to win 14.14 (98) to 9.7 (61), kicking nine goals to two in the second half.
Dawson's midfield shift turns the tide
Returning to the team on Sunday, Dawson was outstanding as the Crows kicked clear in the third term. The Tigers were coming off their first win of the season and put up a game challenge, leading by 10 points at halftime. Dawson had played most of the first half across half-back, with a few stints in the midfield. But he stood out by starting the second half in the midfield and having the first possession. Dawson, along with Izak Rankine and Wayne Milera, turned an emergency into a procession, leading Adelaide as they kicked 5.4 to one behind in the third term for a 23-point lead at the last change. The Crows skipper, who missed last week's Showdown win as he grieves the death of his brother Jaryd, racked up 10 possessions in the third term.
Late injury scare for Adelaide
Adelaide had a scare in the last quarter when Izak Rankine and Sam Berry went off with leg problems, but they returned to the field. Tigers fans were incensed in the last five minutes after a free kick was paid to Josh Rachele. The Crows sharpshooter kicked the sealer and then further enraged the Richmond faithful when he gestured hanging up the phone. Richmond's Seth Campbell had performed the same celebration, inspired by American tennis player Ben Shelton, in last week's win over West Coast.
Richmond's third-quarter fade
After being so competitive in the first half, the Tigers were no match for the Crows' surge in the third quarter. Their plight was summed up when Noah Balta had a shot for goal from 50m. His kick was accurate, but teammate Mykelti Lefau tried to mark the ball rather than let it through for the goal and rendered it a behind. Richmond rallied with two goals in the last term to stay in touch, before the Crows kicked clear again. Tigers key forward Tom Lynch kicked a game-high three goals, while acting captain Tim Taranto had six clearances and Ben Miller held star Adelaide forward Riley Thilthorpe to one major.
Injury woes continue for Tigers
Richmond's injury curse continued when Tom Brown lasted only a couple of minutes before being forced out of the game with a wrist injury. Sam Grlj was a late withdrawal for the Tigers, who said he was managed, and Luke Trainor took his place. The Crows' win moves them to 2-1 for the season, while the Tigers remain winless at 0-3.
