Jenkins and crowd star in Crows win
Enigmatic Adelaide forward Josh Jenkins kicked four goals in a 21-point upset win over Collingwood in Adelaide last night, with more than 50,000 fans finally making the revamped Oval a Crows fortress.
The Crows squared their win-loss record at four-all with a 10.16 (76) to 7.13 (55) victory before a sellout 50,051-strong crowd.
The crowd made such a noise that it appeared the umpires missed the three quarter-time siren for a few crucial seconds.
Defeated Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says a siren controversy wasn’t a factor in his side’s 21-point loss.
Jenkins kicked a goal about two seconds after the three quarter-time siren, giving the Crows valuable breathing space in a tight encounter.
The goal put Adelaide 14 points ahead at the last change and was allowed as umpires didn’t hear the siren, but neither did Buckley nor his Adelaide counterpart Brenton Sanderson.
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Buckley says it wasn’t the difference in the game, but said their defence failed.
Jenkins was the difference, slotting three of his goals in a purple patch in the second term, while his teammate Richard Douglas booted two goals.
Onballer Patrick Dangerfield (32 disposals, including 20 contested possessions) was outstanding for Adelaide and defender Brodie Smith (25 touches), first-gamer Charlie Cameron and rugged midfielder Scott Thompson (31 possessions) were influential.
Collingwood, now with five wins and three losses this season, were brilliantly led by captain Scott Pendlebury (33 disposals) and his midfield colleague Dayne Beams (30 possessions).
But the Magpies struggled for attacking threats – they couldn’t find a multiple goalkicker and kicked just one major in the last half.
Collingwood, driven by Pendlebury and Beams, opened strongly to create a 3.3 to 1.4 lead at quarter-time.
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Skipper Pendlebury shrugged his tagger Sam Kerridge to collect 11 disposals in the opening term and the creative Beams gathered 10 touches in ominous signs for the Crows.
Beams doubled his possession tally in the second quarter but Adelaide hit back as their tall forward Jenkins slotted three goals.
Jenkins stole the spotlight from his attacking partner Taylor Walker, playing his first game in more than a year after having a knee reconstruction.
Walker roamed up the ground, moving well but appearing rusty as he scored four points – three in the final term.
Collingwood led 6.6 to 5.6 at halftime before a defining rally from the Crows produced the initial three goals of the third quarter.
Impressive debutant Cameron scored one of the goals and Jenkins potted his fourth to help Crows to a 9.10 to 7.8 three quarter-time advantage.
Adelaide extended their lead seven minutes into the last term when Eddie Betts goaled – the only major in a gruelling final stanza as the Magpies missed a series of shots to cruel their winning chances.
ADELAIDE 1.4 5.6 9.10 10.16 (76)
COLLINGWOOD 3.3 6.6 7.8 7.13 (55)
Goals: Adelaide: J Jenkins 4 R Douglas 2 C Cameron E Betts J Podsiadly M Jaensch. Collingwood: D Beams D Swan H Lumumba J Blair J White S Pendlebury T Cloke.
Best: Adelaide: P Dangerfield J Jenkins B Smith S Thompson C Cameron D Mackay R Sloane. Collingwood: S Pendlebury D Beams N Maxwell S Sidebottom T Langdon D Swan.
Umpires: Robert Findlay, Shane McInerney, Heath Ryan.
Official Crowd: 50,051 at Adelaide Oval.
