St Kilda has endured a tough night at Adelaide Oval, losing two budding bookends in quick succession in Hugh Goddard and Paddy McCartin, as well as being comprehensively beaten by 88-points against Adelaide on Sunday night.
On a costly night for St Kilda, 2014 first-round draft picks Goddard and McCartin were both carried from the ground on a stretcher within the space of half an hour. Key defender Goddard departed the game first with a suspected Achilles tendon injury following an innocuous contest with Adelaide key forward Josh Jenkins late in the second term.
McCartin followed suit midway through the third quarter after he clashed heads twice in quick succession; firstly with teammate Jack Newnes front-on and then secondly with Adelaide defender Luke Brown from behind. The game was halted for several minutes before the key forward was taken from the ground.
It was a devastating blow for the Saints, with both future bookends exiting the game prematurely in their first appearance together this season, reducing the Saints to two men on the bench for the bulk of the second-half.
St Kilda’s medical staff were worked over on Sunday night, starting with Captain Nick Riewoldt who hurt his knee in the opening minute. The champion forward played out the game but he was clearly hindered by the injury, unable to tick the odometer over with his usual tireless efforts.
Looking for three successive wins for the first time in Alan Richardson’s tenure, Adelaide’s firepower in attack wreaked havoc in ideal conditions for football at South Australia’s sporting colosseum, leading the Crows to a 19.19 (133) to 6.9 (45) win.
Jenkins had a day out booting 7.3, Taylor Walker continued his dominant form with 3.3 and Mitch McGovern, Tom Lynch and Charlie Cameron were lively inside the Crows attacking half.
Jarryn Geary had the big job on All Australian goal sneak Eddie Betts and despite an enormous inside 50 discrepancy, the Saints defender restricted Betts’ influence, holding Betts to just a single goal and minimal impact on the result.
Adelaide dominated proceedings from midway through the opening quarter and besides a brief fightback from the Saints in the third quarter, the Crows didn’t release their grasp until the siren sounded to mark their seventh win of the season.
Despite losing ball-magnet Scott Thompson prior to the bounce, Don Pyke’s side dominated around the ball and all over the ground, comprehensively winning more disposals (+177), contested possessions (+38), inside 50s (+39), marks inside the arc (+20) and clearances (+11) on a bitterly disappointing night for the Saints, especially after two positive performances across the last fortnight.
Star midfield duo Jack Steven and David Armitage fought bravely all night, but they lacked meaningful contribution from the rest of St Kilda’s engine room. Reigning Trevor Barker Award winner Steven finished with a team-high 31 disposals, while Armitage collected 25 touches. No other Saint besides Shane Savage touched the ball more than 17 times to further emphasise the Crows dominance.
St Kilda’s winless streak at Adelaide Oval now stands at six and at 4-7 the Saints will be looking to put their season back on track when they face Carlton at Etihad Stadium next Sunday before the week off.
ADELAIDE 6.5 11.11 16.14 19.19 (133)
ST KILDA 1.2 4.2 5.5 6.9 (45)
GOALS
Adelaide: Jenkins 7, Walker 3, Cameron 2, McGovern, Lyons, Lynch, Jacobs, Betts, Sloane, Seedsman
St Kilda: Bruce 2, Gresham, McCartin, Membrey, Riewoldt
BEST
St Kilda: Steven, Armitage, Savage, Geary, Bruce
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
St Kilda: Goddard (Achilles), McCartin (concussion)
Official crowd: 40,896 at Adelaide Oval
