Search

show me:

Walker sparks Crows in AFL win over Saints

3 minute read

Adelaide have overcome a slow start to score a 29-point AFL win over undermanned St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.

TAYLOR WALKER of the Crows celebrates after kicking a goal during the AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Adelaide Crows at The Gabba in Brisbane, Australia.
TAYLOR WALKER of the Crows celebrates after kicking a goal during the AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Adelaide Crows at The Gabba in Brisbane, Australia. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Taylor Walker's indifferent form mirrored Adelaide's during their early-season struggles but both are right back on track after the Crows ground out a 29-point win over St Kilda.

The co-captain's influence was critical with four goals in the 15.7 (97) to 10.8 (68) victory in front of 28,421 fans at Marvel Stadium that levelled the club's season ledger at three wins and three losses.

Walker, who booted just three goals in the first four games, sparked his team into action after a sluggish start and could easily have finished with six majors on the back of a three-goal effort in last week's win over Gold Coast.

"At certain points he's probably sitting there going 'When was the last time I played one of those really big games?'" coach Don Pyke said.

"He had a great pre-season and it's probably just about him trusting that and continuing to work on the things that make him a really powerful player.

"Last week and this week he's taken that next step to be that really powerful presence in our forward line.

"The way he's moving at the moment makes him difficult to defend.

"He's done the work and it's great to see him back playing that way."

The Saints started brightly on Saturday afternoon but lost Jack Lonie to injury in the first quarter and couldn't stay with the Crows, who booted five goals to two in the final term.

Walker was a constant threat in attack where Lachie Murphy also booted three majors while, at the other end, Alex Keath starred with 21 touches and 14 marks.

The Crouch boys, Matt and Brad, were the prime movers in the middle with 36 and 30 possessions respectively.

Adelaide led by 11 points at three-quarter time and kicked the first five goals of the last quarter to score their ninth win in a row over St Kilda, who slipped to a 4-2 record.

"We were disappointing in the last quarter," coach Alan Richardson said.

"We got outworked then we started to fumble and they looked much safer in the contest.

"The numbers reflected that, they smashed us, and we were beaten really badly in the air.

"There was a fair bit that didn't work for us ... but they wanted it more and outworked us late."

Shane Savage led the way for St Kilda with 30 disposals with Seb Ross, who captained the side in place of the injured Jarryn Geary, also influential with 26 touches.

Matt Parker continued to build his reputation as a livewire crowd favourite, the forward taking two superb marks and kicking three goals.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au