ADELAIDE                                      5.4   7.8  10.13   13.18 (96)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY   1.1   5.3   6.6   7.8 (50)

Despite the best efforts from Greater Western Sydney, Adelaide has managed to scrap out a 46-point victory at AAMI Stadium.

In wet conditions, GWS appeared poised to seriously challenge the Crows at halftime, only trailing by 17 points after controlling most of the second term.

Adelaide, lead by skipper Nathan van Berlo, Scott Thompson, Patrick Dangerfield and Kurt Tippett pulled away from a GWS side which showed genuine hunger for the contested ball.

Ben Rutten - http://www.flickr.com/photos/heatherw/

Callan Ward was fantastic with 32 touches, and Luke Power caused Adelaide several headaches as the loose man behind the play. Power constantly thwarted Adelaide’s attacking forays.

Signs looked ominous early in the piece, with Tippett taking advantage of two very early opportunities to quickly add two goals to his name, but the Giants managed to settle and work their way back into the contest. Tippett became important later in the match, finishing with four goals.

The second quarter may be one Kevin Sheedy shows several times this week, with several passages of play highlighting the attack on the ball that young sides often struggle to cope with.

The Giants hit the contest hard and made several experienced Crows look flat-footed, and convert Israel Folau began to look comfortable as a leading forward – even goaling from a set shot from outside 50.

But in trying conditions, the experience, fitness and work rate of the Crows proved to be far too much for the young side to handle. It took a rocket from Brenton Sanderson during the major break to get his side going, and by three-quarter time Adelaide had secured the result.

The Giants will go home happy however, the effort from their back six under extreme pressure undoubtedly a highlight.

Tom Bugg, Jack Hombsch and Tim Mohr all worked incredibly hard as the Crows threatened to blow out the game in the first quarter. Early, it looked unlikely that the Giants would ever have a chance to score.

Eventually they settled and began to show some signs of potency, something Sheedy will be hoping continues to blossom as they continue in their debut year.

VOTES

3) Brent Reilly

2) Kurt Tippett

1) Luke Power
GOALS
Adelaide: Tippett 4, Porplyzia 2, Mackay, Henderson, Wright, Walker, Sloane, Smith, Thompson
Greater Western Sydney: Hampton 3, Edwards, Folau, Giles, Mohr

BEST
Adelaide: van Berlo, Sloane, Thompson, Tippett, Reilly, Doughty
Greater Western Sydney: Ward, Scully, Power, McDonald, Giles, Miles

INJURIES
Adelaide: Petrenko (concussion), Martin (cut head), Jaensch (cut head)
Greater Western Sydney: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Adelaide: Ricky Henderson replaced Jared Petrenko in the first quarter
Greater Western Sydney: Jacob Townsend replaced Adam Tomlinson in the third quarter

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Ryan, Hosking, Hay

Official crowd: 28, 261 at AAMI Stadium