IN AN entertaining, fiercely contested clash at the SCG on Saturday night, the Swans went down to an impressive Adelaide, who snapped a five game losing streak with a 24-point victory.
The defensively well-organised Crows led at each change with Jason Porplyzia on fire in the forward line with five goals.
The Swans’ goal-kicking really let them down. With more scoring shots than the opposition, they only managed six on target in the 6.17 (53) to 11.11 (77) loss.
The fourth-placed home side lost forward Henry Playfair to a back-related hamstring injury in the first quarter, while star on-baller Adam Goodes appeared to struggle with a groin injury which saw him come off in the second quarter.
The dual Brownlow medallist gamely battled away on the slippery SCG surface, but was finally rested in the final quarter when the game appeared out of reach.
The Swans also started without injured pair Nick Malceski (replaced in the selected side by Ben Mathews) and Michael O'Loughlin, but all the focus was on the return of spearhead Barry Hall. However, the big forward was well held by Ben Rutten and Nathan Bassett.
The Crows took a nine-point lead into the first break after an entertaining first quarter with both defences working hard.
Darren Jolly nailed the first of the game, taking a strong pack mark just inside the 50m arc and straight in front.
But in the space of three minutes, the Crows hit back with a hat trick of goals mid-way through the first term.
Playfair went off after 17 minutes, but Luke Ablett's snap from straight in front after Hall's intelligent lead kept the Swans in the contest at quarter time.
After Adam Goodes came off for treatment in the second quarter, it got worse for the Swans when Porplyzia potted the first of the term from 30m out.
When Adelaide skipper Simon Goodwin nailed his second after a free-kick against an unlucky Craig Bolton, the lead blew out to 20 points.
A much-needed snap from Craig Bird kept the Swans in the contest and, after a flowing move with five or six handballs from defence to centre wing, Matty O'Dwyer kicked his first AFL goal to drag the deficit back to eight points.
David Mackay’s clever snap kept the Crows in front and Porplyzia's two six pointers in quick succession helped the Crows to a 23-point lead heading into the main break.
The third quarter was goalless, and the Swans battled the woodwork as well as the Crows. Marty Mattner’s long bomb shaved the goal-post padding and Peter Everitt's shot from a tight angle also bounced back.
The Swans went to the final change 22 points down and, in the first few minutes of the final quarter, Benny Mathews missed from the tightest of angles.
Just seconds later the Crows goaled through Brad Symes and the visitors sensed it was their night.
The yips for the Swans continued with Jarrad McVeigh, O'Keefe and Hall just missing set shots, two of the three again hitting the woodwork.
Porplyzia nailed his fourth with 15 minutes left and Hall’s well-taken set shot from 40m was matched by the Crows’ forward soon after to seal the Swans' fate.
The Swans now need to regroup ahead of a tough task against the Bulldogs in Canberra next week.
SYDNEY SWANS 2.3 4.9 4.12 6.17 (53)
ADELAIDE 3.6 8.7 8.10 11.11 (77)
Goals
Sydney Swans: Darren Jolly, Luke Ablett, Craig Bird, Matt O’Dwyer, Barry Hall, Ben Mathews
Adelaide: Jason Porplyzia 5, Simon Goodwin 2, Bryce Campbell, Nick Gill, David Mackay, Brad Symes
Best
Injuries
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Armstrong, McInerney, Vozzo
Official crowd: 26,260 at SCG
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
