Crows crush Giants by 119 points

15 Jul 2012, 7:35 pm   -   Source: AAP
Adelaide have recorded their biggest AFL win of the season with a 119-point mauling of GWS. (AAP)

Adelaide have recorded their biggest AFL win of the season with a 119-point mauling of GWS. (AAP)

Adelaide have proven they can kick a big score without key forwards Kurt Tippett and Taylor Walker, demolishing Greater Western Sydney by 119 points.

Adelaide showed they can thrive without forward spearheads Kurt Tippett and Taylor Walker, posting their biggest score this AFL season with a 119-point mauling of Greater Western Sydney at Sydney Showgrounds on Sunday.

The 27.16 (178) to 8.11 (59) scoreline eclipsed their 69-point wins over Gold Coast and Carlton earlier this season and provided a handy percentage booster in their bid to consolidate a top four spot.

The Crows kicked 18 goals to four after halftime, booting eight straight either side of the long break when their lead was 32 points.

GWS led by six early and had accumulated more possessions by halftime, but tired and tuned the ball over too often in the second half.

It was a 14th defeat in 15 games for GWS who lost by 162 points to Hawthorn last week and have been beaten by a combined margin of 453 points over their last four games.

With Walker (37 goals) suspended and Tippett (30), who was withdrawn from the side on Sunday after failing to recover from concussion suffered last week, it was the first time Adelaide had played this season without both their leading goalkickers and key forwards.

It didn't seem to matter as 13 players shared the goalkicking spoils against the hapless Giants.

Jason Porplyzia and Ian Callinan both kicked four and Bernie Vince and Rory Sloane three each.

"We've had some of our mainstays up there missing the last couple of weeks in Tippo and Walks and the guys that have come in, have been waiting for their chances all year, have been able to produce," Porplyzia said.

"That's a real strength of the side at the moment that sort of depth. Hopefully we can count it later in the year."

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson, who expects Tippett to return next week, was delighted with the discipline, unselfishness and ruthlessness of his side.

"From the players' point of view, really proud of how they just kept the foot on the throat, that was really pleasing," Sanderson said.

The only negatives for Adelaide were injuries to Ricky Henderson (ankle) and Brodie Martin (hamstring).

Giants coach Kevin Sheedy was philosophical about his team's latest thrashing and lamented their failure to convert more second and third quarter goalkicking opportunities.

"We're probably a six-cylinder car driving on four," Sheedy said.

"We just need those other two cylinders and we'll get them as these players get maturity and fitness and strength."

Asked about the impact on his young side of the big losses, Sheedy said he told his players not to look at the scores.

Young midfielder Toby Green racked up 30 touches for GWS, who suffered injuries to Rhys Palmer (concussion) and Stephen Coniglio (hamstring).

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