Adelaide Crows have reaffirmed their position among the top four teams with an impressive victory over the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium, triumphing 16.13 (109) to 15.8 (98). This away win brings Adelaide to just two points behind Brisbane, while the Bulldogs find themselves struggling to maintain their grip on a finals position.
The match was an explosive contest between two talented sides, with the Crows showcasing superior offensive power. They held a lead of 26 points late in the third quarter; however, the Bulldogs managed to narrow the gap with a couple of late goals. Rising star Riley Thilthorpe impressed with a career-high six goals, while Aaron Naughton scored five for the Dogs. Marcus Bontempelli excelled for the Bulldogs, recording 37 disposals and providing six goal assists, complemented by two goals from Ed Richards.
Crows captain Jordan Dawson also had a stellar performance, gathering 27 disposals and netting two goals, while Dan Curtin continued to make his case for the Rising Star award with 26 disposals and a goal. Despite their midfield strength, the Bulldogs were unable to match Adelaide’s pace, raising concerns for coach Luke Beveridge.
The victory, however, was somewhat overshadowed by injuries sustained by the Crows. Key defender Jordon Butts was rushed to the hospital after experiencing chest pain and breathing difficulties, later diagnosed with a collapsed lung. Additionally, forward Brayden Cook suffered a concussion from a head clash, while midfielder James Peatling battled through shoulder soreness.
Nonetheless, this victory sets Adelaide up for an excellent chance at securing a top-two finish and potentially a home qualifying final, a remarkable turnaround given their previous bottom-four finish last season. They now face a crucial stretch of three consecutive games in South Australia, including two clashes against other top eight contenders, Gold Coast and Hawthorn, as well as a showdown with Port Adelaide.
On the other hand, the Bulldogs needed this home game to maintain distance from a tightly contested bottom half of the eight, with GWS, Fremantle, and Hawthorn all vying for the same position. Following an unexpected loss to Gold Coast, the Bulldogs will face a tough challenge away against Brisbane next week but should be favourites in their upcoming fixtures thereafter.