Crows too strong for Power in AFL

Adelaide has won bragging rights over crosstown rival Port Adelaide in their AFL NAB challenge clash at AAMI Stadium.

Adelaide have held crosstown rivals Port Adelaide goalless in the third quarter on their way to a 24-point win in the AFL NAB Challenge clash at AAMI Stadium.

The Crows ran away with the game in the third period after a tight first half and survived a late Power onslaught to secure a 3.13.12 (117) to 0.13.15 (93) win.

Port showed glimpses of its silky best throughout the first half but the Crows' midfielders were simply too good at the contests, outshining the Power in clearances and tackles.

Crows rookie Cam Ellis-Yolmen gathered 11 contested possessions and laid three tackles in a massive first quarter.

He finished with 27 touches (22 contested) and five tackles, staking his claim for a round one berth.

Adelaide coach Phil Walsh said he'd been impressed by the rookie's performance in the midfield.

"He's ticking a lot of boxes," he said.

"He'd be challenging for a round one spot, you'd think."

Classy forward Eddie Betts celebrated the birth of his son on Friday with 20 touches and two goals, while captain Taylor Walker slotted two majors and a supergoal.

The frenetic pace and intensity of the opening stanza belied the pre-season setting, with the teams exchanging leads on several occasions.

Travis Boak (33 touches), Ollie Wines (32 touches) and Robbie Gray (29 touches) were all typically prolific for the Power but the Crows' forward pressure and contested strength kept the momentum on their side.

"I was really happy early with our pressure on the ball," Walsh said.

"That's the vision of how I want the team to play."

Power coach Ken Hinkley said his side had been out-muscled and outpressured by the Crows.

"We're just not quite at that intense level today that we need to be to handle that pressure," he said.

By the time Rory Sloane slotted his first of two supergoals early in the third quarter, Adelaide's lead was out to 27 points.

The Power had several chances but didn't kick a goal in the third period as Adelaide took a 49-point lead at three-quarter time.

Port clawed back the margin in the fourth quarter but ultimately left their charge too late.

Port's John Butcher booted five majors to be best afield for the Power, capping an outstanding game with a stunning volley from an impossible angle deep in the forward pocket late in the fourth quarter.


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Source: AAP


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