ADELAIDE                           4.4    7.8    7.11     11.16 (82)
WESTERN BULLDOGS     1.4    3.7    7.9       9.10  (64)

Adelaide has defeated a spirited Western Bulldog outfit to earn a hard fought 18-point win at AAMI Stadium.



Crow veteran Scott Thompson was influential in his 200th game, collecting 34 disposals and five clearances to help continue Adelaide’s stunning start to the season.

It was a lackluster start to the game, with both teams struggling to hit targets, indeed the only target Adelaide seemed to consistently hit up was the previously out of form Brian Lake who racked up nine first-quarter possessions.

It took a classy snap from Jared Petrenko to finally break the dread lock, it sparked a small run on for Adelaide, who kicked the next threes before a kick in hope effort from Nathan Djerrkura gave the Dogs their first goal late in the quarter to make the margin 18 points at the break.

The game continued on in the same fashion during the second quarter, with both teams struggling to make any meaningful foray forward.

Rory Sloane - http://www.flickr.com/photos/zarabee/

The Bulldogs looked to have ceased some momentum before two late goals to Tom Lynch and Rory Sloane saw whatever momentum the Dogs had evaporate in to the Adelaide night with the Crows extending their lead to 25 points at the half.

New Bulldog coach Brendan McCartney would rightfully be upset with his players at half-time, whatever he said to his troops at the change seemed to sink in.

The Bulldogs went on to kick four unanswered goals in a third quarter fight back against the home side, with captain Matthew Boyd kicking the last two goals of the quarter to bring the margin back to 2 points at the final change.

The Bulldogs through Liam Jones kicked the first in the last period and claimed the lead for the first time since the first quarter, however, Adelaide was not to be denied as the Crows rallied to kick four of the last five goals to celebrate Thompson’s 200th game in winning style.

Both teams will play next Sunday when Adelaide travel to Melbourne to meet the in-form Hawks whilst the Western Bulldogs meet St Kilda in search of their first win.

Votes: 3. Scott Thompson   2.Bernie Vince   1.Matthew Boyd

GOALS
Adelaide: Walker 3, Petrenko 2, Lynch 2, Callinan, Sloane, Porplyzia, Dangerfield
Western Bulldogs: Boyd 2, Jones 2, Djerrkura, Picken, Giansiracusa, Grant, Roughead

BEST
Adelaide: Thompson, Vince, van Berlo, Doughty, Dangerfield, Jacobs
Western Bulldogs: Boyd, Murphy, Griffen, Lake, Hargrave, Dahlhaus

INJURIES
Adelaide: Douglas (hamstring)
Western Bulldogs: Nil

Reports: Nil

 Umpires: Bannister, Hay, Schmitt

Official crowd: 34,021 at AAMI Stadium