Crows smash GWS and stay in finals race

Adelaide have stayed in AFL finals contention with a crushing 68-point away win over Greater Western Sydney.

Giants' Callan Ward

Adelaide remain in contention for an AFL finals spot with a crushing 68-point away win over GWS. (AAP)

Adelaide are getting their money's worth from Eddie Betts, but coach Brenton Sanderson doesn't feel like he got full value from the Crows following their 68-point away drubbing of Greater Western Sydney.

The Crows kicked the first six goals in a 20.20 (140) to 9.18 (72) victory over an inaccurate Giants outfit, whose first ten scoring shots at Spotless Stadium on Saturday were behinds.

Adelaide, who have won three of their past four AFL games to stay in finals contention, collected a host of minor injuries.

Sanderson suggested none were serious and all the casualties could be right for next Friday's home clash with Hawthorn.

The list of injuries comprised Scott Thompson (leg), Josh Jenkins (mouth), Daniel Talia (buttock), Patrick Dangerfield (knee) and Ben Rutten (concussion).

Rutten was substituted in the first few minutes, but a Crows side sparked by 32 touches from Rory Sloane were far too slick for the Giants.

While Adelaide won every quarter and led by as much as 76, Sanderson didn't feel the team produced a solid four-quarter performance.

"We were 47 points up at halftime and we were a bit disappointed we couldn't really put the foot down," Sanderson said.

"You can't be too hard on the boys though, a six-day break after a showdown and we kicked 20.20.

"They were only 22 points at halftime, so defensively pretty good.

"But I'm still a little bit upset that we didn't really respect the four quarter performance."

Betts collected his first five-goal haul in Crows colours and fellow recruit James Podsiadly equalled his best bag for Adelaide, with three, as they were among 11 goalkickers.

"He (Betts) is worth every cent we're paying him," Sanderson said.

"He's just electric for us. He's been really important for us throughout the entire season and today he kicked some really important goals for us."

Sanderson said it made a nice change for Adelaide to make a good start rather than be in chase mode.

Conversely, GWS coach Leon Cameron lamented another wretched start by his side.

After kicking just 1.7 in the first half against Sydney last week, they were 0.8 and 2.2 at the first two breaks against Adelaide.

"There's no doubt when our boys don't start really well then their confidence level can wane," Cameron said.

"They pressured us up really well, but in saying that (they had) 23 scoring shots from back half turnovers, (kicking) 11.12.

"Good luck with trying to win a game doing that."

He was pleased with Tim Mohr, who kept Taylor Walker goalless and Zac Williams, who performed manfully against the much more experienced Betts.

He admitted star forward Jeremy Cameron was low on confidence after tallying just six touches, three marks and kicking 1.1.


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