Adelaide has recorded its first victory of the season, grinding out a hard-fought 26-point win against Sydney at the SCG on Friday night.
While the Crows managed to get on the winner's list for the first time in 2019, the loss leaves the Swans with an 0-2 record and raises question marks over John Longmire's side's finals candidacy.
In an arm-wrestle of a contest the Crows were the better team for much of the night, although every time they attempted to skip away from their opponents Swans spearhead Lance Franklin would seemingly intervene.
But after Franklin's third goal of the night trimmed the margin to 17 points early in the final term, Adelaide finally broke the Swans' resistance, nailing the last two goals of the game to claim a 12.16 (88) to 8.14 (62) win.
A fit-again Brad Crouch was Adelaide's most prolific midfielder with 26 disposals (10 contested), although it was the combined contributions of several Crows that saw their side get over the line.
On a slippery night in Sydney, Rory Atkins was clean-handed and sure-footed with 21 disposals and one goal, and had as much influence on the game as any player on the ground.
Bryce Gibbs' ball use was sublime (23 touches) and the return of Paul Seedsman (17) from a finger was a crucial cog for the Crows' game style after the club was embarrassed by Hawthorn in round one.
Matt Crouch (24 and seven clearances) and Rory Sloane (21, six clearances and eight tackles) were prominent the longer the game went on, while co-captain Taylor Walker also had impact on the match with his ability to set up teammates in scoring positions.
After nine-straight behinds spread between the teams through the third quarter, two goals in a matter of minutes from Tom Lynch and Eddie Betts saw the margin open up to 23 points going into the final stanza and from there the game was all but won.
Underlining their advantage, the Crows rushed out to a 22-point lead at quarter-time punctuated by Paul Seedsman's stunning torpedo goal from outside 50m after the siren had sounded.
Needing a spark to get back into the game, the Swans turned to a familiar source and Franklin delivered with two goals in the second term – his first coming from an outrageous kick off one step while being tucked up next to the boundary.
Josh Kennedy racked up 36 disposals and 10 clearances and along with Jake Lloyd (34 disposals and seven rebound 50s), was the pick of the Swans players, but apart from Tom Papley who had his moments, Sydney appeared to lack impetus through the midfield.
The match was also notable for the first double 50m penalty of the home and away season being paid under the stricter interpretation for impeding a player trying to advance up the field.
Second-gamer Chayce Jones was the lucky Crow to claim the advantage, with Swans fourth-gamer Colin O'Riordan failing to leave the protected area. However, any benefit Jones gained was quickly wiped away when his set-shot at goal was touched by Dane Rampe on the mark.
NEXT UP
The Crows have a quick turnaround with Geelong the next assignment at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night. The Swans travel to Melbourne to take on Carlton at Marvel Stadium next Saturday afternoon.
INJURY ROOM
Sydney: Zak Jones had his ankle re-strapped in the second term but played out the rest of the game without any bother.
Adelaide: Sam Jacobs left the field of play in the third term to have his right ankle assessed. He returned later in the quarter after some treatment in the rooms and played out the remainder of the match.
SYDNEY 1.2 6.6 7.10 8.14 (62)
ADELAIDE 4.5 6.10 9.15 12.16 (88)
GOALS
Sydney: Franklin 3, Hayward 2, Ronke, Blakey, Reid
Adelaide: Knight 2, Mackay 2, Jenkins 2, Walker, Seedsman, B.Crouch, Atkins, Lynch, Betts
BEST
Sydney: Kennedy, Lloyd, Rampe, Hewett, Franklin, Parker
Adelaide: Sloane, B.Crouch, Atkins, Keath, Milera, Gibbs
INJURIES
Sydney: Nil
Adelaide: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Meredith, Findlay, Fleer
Official crowd: 32,575 at the SCG
