The Adelaide Crows kicked off their AFL season in emphatic fashion, overpowering St Kilda with a dominant 63-point victory at Adelaide Oval. The home side set the tone early and never looked back, delivering a commanding performance that showcased their depth and firepower.

Final Score:
Adelaide Crows 21.9 (135) def. St Kilda 10.12 (72)

Crows Set the Tone Early

From the opening bounce, the Crows made their intentions clear, launching a relentless attack that saw them pile on five unanswered goals within the first 18 minutes. Their fast start left St Kilda scrambling, and by quarter-time, Adelaide had already built a comfortable lead.

The midfield brigade, led by captain Jordan Dawson (27 disposals, two goals), Izak Rankine (28 disposals, two goals), and Jake Soligo (29 disposals, one goal), controlled the game, winning clearances and delivering precise forward entries.

Fogarty and Forward Line Fire

Key forward Darcy Fogarty was instrumental in the Crows’ attack, finishing with four goals and proving to be a constant threat inside 50. New recruit Isaac Cumming also chipped in with two majors, while the likes of Ben Keays and Taylor Walker added to St Kilda’s defensive woes.

Quarter-time: Adelaide 7.2 (44) to St Kilda 2.3 (15)
Half-time: Adelaide 12.5 (77) to St Kilda 4.5 (29)

By halftime, the Crows had a 48-point lead, leaving the Saints with an uphill battle.

St Kilda Struggles Amid Injury Woes

St Kilda entered the match without seven key players, including Max King and Dan Butler, making their forward structure ineffective. Jack Macrae, playing in his first game for the Saints, fought hard with a game-high 34 disposals, while debutant Max Hall impressed with two goals.

Despite their efforts, the Saints struggled to match Adelaide’s efficiency, frequently turning the ball over in midfield and missing key opportunities in front of goal.

Three-quarter time: Adelaide 17.8 (110) to St Kilda 7.9 (51)

Final Quarter Blitz

The Crows didn’t ease off in the final term, adding another four goals to cement their authority. Matt Crouch (31 disposals, one goal) and Rory Laird (29 disposals) controlled possession, while Adelaide’s backline, led by Josh Worrell and Mark Keane, ensured St Kilda never found momentum.

Full-time: Adelaide Crows 21.9 (135) def. St Kilda 10.12 (72)

Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks praised his side’s performance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining consistency. Meanwhile, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon admitted injuries played a role but stressed the need for composure moving forward.

The Crows will look to carry this momentum into their next fixture, while the Saints will hope to regroup and bounce back with a stronger performance.